Act 1 of ”Macbeth” by Shakespeare Essay Sample

unfolds within the first scene, captivating the audience.

Shakespeare effectively employs linguistic communication and other techniques to incite anticipation in the audience regarding immoral events that will unfold after Act 1. By starting the play with the witches, he utilizes a highly powerful tool to keep the audience on edge.

During Elizabethan times, enchantresses were viewed as wicked and associated with evil. In the play, the audience is made aware of this perception as the enchantresses maintain their immoral stance throughout. Although their power is not fully displayed until the prophesies come true, they work to symbolize all that is evil. Their crucial role in Macbeth's downfall is due to their manipulation of him, inciting his ambition to become king and using him as a pawn for their chaotic plans.

The witches have an impact on Macbeth by telling him what he wants to hear: that he will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually, the King. However, their speeches are brief and they vanish without revealing too much, possibly to heighten his anticipation and curiosity. Therefore, the spectators are in a comparable situation to Macbeth as they are uncertain about the witches' intentions despite their brief utterances.

Thus, Shakespeare creates a sense of anticipation and amazement in his writing. Additionally, he employs impactful language and appropriately establishes the setting when dealing with the witches. Each scene in Act 1 is accompanied by a sense of excitement (and sometimes illumination) before the witches make an entrance, thereby setting a somber tone.

The enchantresses are depicted as ominous and ethereal beings, instilling a sense of solemnity and a hint of unfortunate delusion when they arrive. Their words are also depicted as

wicked.

During the Elizabethan era, people believed that witches had the ability to cause various unexplained events, such as illnesses, plagues, and crop failures. Some individuals would use phrases like "killing swine" and "I'll drain him dry as hay" to express their immoral nature.

The thoughts of the enchantresses were diverse, as they claimed the ability to carry their familiars, make potions in a cauldron, and travel on broomsticks. Shakespeare portrayed these thoughts in his drama, but did not disclose all of their powers. Nonetheless, the audience witnessed them performing spells and conversing with ghosts.

According to Banquo, they do not resemble earthly inhabitants, implying that they possess supernatural capabilities beyond human limitations. However, there may be limitations since instead of acting themselves, they entice Macbeth into fulfilling their wishes. This could suggest their hesitancy to execute actions directly.

In other words, the witches are unable to carry out their goal themselves and instead have Macbeth do it for them or have limited powers that prevent them from doing so. Nonetheless, the witches still hold significant power in the play and represent formidable forces of evil.

Lady Macbeth cannot be ignored as she is an intriguing and significant character who alters the direction of the play. Initially, she appears as a polite and refined wife. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have a strong bond and influence each other greatly. In the early Acts of the play, Lady Macbeth's words hold great importance to her husband.

Lady Macbeth's dominant role in the relationship is evident through Macbeth's affectionate address towards her as “dearest spouse of greatness” (Act 1 scene 5) in his letter. She influences him in various

ways and for various reasons as mentioned below.

We understand that Lady Macbeth bears resemblance to the enchantresses in various aspects. She exerts a similar, if not greater, evil influence on Macbeth. She openly expresses her willingness to be ruthless and cruel, stating, "And fill me from the Crown to the toe topfull/ Of direst cruelty" (lines 40-41, scene 5), much like the enchantresses. Additionally,

Both she and the enchantress employ the figurative abilities of language to summon spirits that will affect Macbeth in various manners. Lady Macbeth declares, "Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts," (lines 38-39 scenes 5). Lady Macbeth's likening to a witch is evident, as she speaks of spirits.

It appears that she is indifferent to the coldness around her. This suggests a connection between the enchantress and Lady Macbeth, indicating that both women operate as agents of immorality.

Upon opening her husband's letter, the woman immediately begins to scheme and demonstrate her evil intentions, revealing that she desires for Macbeth to become king so that they may attain a higher position.

"And you will become what you have been promised," declares Lady Macbeth in Scene 5, lines 13-14. She expresses doubt about whether Macbeth possesses the necessary immorality to match his ambitious nature. In her monologue, she says, "I fear he is too kind and lacks the ruthlessness to take the quickest route."

(Lines 15-16, Scene 5) She has a strong influence on him to kill the king. "That I may pour my liquors in thine ear" (line 24).

In scene 5, Macbeth's desire to become king fuels her actions and contributes to her increasingly wicked nature. Despite this, when King Duncan visits the

Macbeth palace, she appears pleased and content in his presence.

Lady Macbeth exhibits hypocritical characteristics in her conduct, actions, and speech, as she declares, "All our service/ In every point twice done and so done double/” (lines 14-15 scene 6). The audience is confronted with the notion that a married woman could influence her supposedly strong-willed husband (during Elizabethan times, women were considered weaker than men because men were the breadwinners for their families). Lady Macbeth initiates the evil deeds.

Lady Macbeth's character undergoes significant transformation as she helps turn Macbeth into a cruel ruler who treats others inhumanely. She plays a key role in determining King Duncan's fate in act one, and is instrumental in reinforcing the evil plans initially created by the witches.

Despite the fact that Macbeth has the option to choose a moral path towards becoming king, he decides to eliminate Duncan, which is the only unethical way to achieve this. He has the ability to resist the temptation to choose the wrong route, but ultimately succumbs to the witches' potent influence, leading him to make this decision at the conclusion of the act.

Shakespeare does not give a clear direction on how the audience should interpret the role of the witches. It is ambiguous whether they have complete control over human lives, are servants of fate, or if their predictions simply confirm predictable outcomes.

Moreover, it remains ambiguous whether Shakespeare intends the witches to be viewed as real or merely symbolic representations of the evil that already resides within Macbeth. Nonetheless, people firmly believed in witches during Shakespeare's time, implying that his intention was to illustrate evil and encourage the audience

to develop their own personality similar to the witches, thereby preparing them for the impending immorality. This is evident in Act 1.

Macbeth starts off as a valiant soldier who fearlessly fights for the King. However, he is swayed by the witches and Lady Macbeth, and transforms into a deceitful and cruel character – a "serpent."

In the second scene of the first act, Macbeth is depicted as a fearless warrior who fought his way through to confront the enemy. Specifically, lines 19-20 describe him as a "valour's minion" who "carved out his passage/Till he faced the slave." King Duncan is impressed by Macbeth's bravery and characterizes him as a "valorous cousin" and a "worthy gentleman." Consequently, Duncan makes Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor, unaware that this will ultimately lead to his downfall.

Macbeth's belief in the witches' prediction that he will become Thane of Cawdor strengthens his desire to be King. Lady Macbeth's selfish ambition and cold nature lead Macbeth astray when she learns of the witches' prediction. Although Macbeth is initially ambitious, Lady Macbeth's ambition exceeds his own, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goal. When she urges him to kill Duncan, Macbeth struggles with a guilty conscience and hesitates to commit regicide.

In this short quote, Macbeth engages in an inner dialogue with his conscience about his duties as a kinsman and the subject of trust, specifically in regards to his responsibility to protect Duncan.

Although he initially presents himself as a hospitable and royal figure to his kinsman, ultimately his desire for power and ambition take over due to his inherent weakness.

During his first encounter with the witches in

Act 1, Macbeth's true character is revealed to be less noble than previously thought, as he demands and displays curiosity by asking, "Speak if you can: what are you?" (line 45, scene 3).

In Act 4 scene 1, Macbeth is determined and persistent during his speech, asking, “How know you secret… . beldam! / What is’t you do?” (lines 46-47). By the end of the Act, it is clear that Lady Macbeth has succeeded in persuading Macbeth. Throughout this scene, the language highlights the opposing morality of the two characters, with Lady Macbeth's wicked qualities constantly clashing with Macbeth's inherent goodness as the Act draws to a close.

Lady Macbeth expresses a contradiction by saying "look like th’innocent flower/ But be the serpent under’t" to illustrate the foreboding of the immoral and dark actions that Macbeth is about to commit. Shakespeare's portrayal of Macbeth's final speech before the killing leaves a strong impression on the audience as Macbeth proclaims "I am settled ; and flex up/… false must conceal what the false bosom doth know."

The drama explores various themes including the pivotal role of ambition in driving many characters towards their fate. Additionally, the act concludes with a striking decision that sets the stage for upcoming events and features a memorable rhyming couplet in its final two lines.

William Shakespeare portrays the delicate balance between aspiration and selfish desire, which when exceeded can result in imminent destruction. There is also an argument that one trait can lead to the other. Additionally, deception is another characteristic presented in the play. Shakespeare demonstrates that in reality, things are not always as they seem (i.e., friends can become enemies).

It

is important to remember that in everyday life, humans must confront both good and evil forces. The significance of evil is especially prominent in Act 1 as it establishes the play's main theme and other genres. It provides a glimpse of how ambition can lead to deceit and cruelty, ultimately resulting in tragedy. Therefore, Act 1 serves as preparation for what is to come.

As a result, I believe that Act 1 effectively depicts the triumph of evil over good. It showcases how Macbeth's unbridled desires are triggered by the witches, Lady Macbeth, and other powerful occurrences. This prepares the audience for the thrilling battle between good and evil, both emotionally and physically.