“Macbeth” Act 1

Scene 1

Macbeth was first performed in 1606. No technology. No lights. No power. The play used words and sounds to set a scene. “When shall we three meet again, In thunder, Lightning or in rain?” The way this sentence was said had a certain rhythm. It is written with a trochaic meter. This makes the sentence much easier to hear and write. The opening line to the Macbeth plays captured the attention of the audience. They used a loud sound drum to make thunder and lightning. This was because there audience was there to have a good time. They did not act civilly if the play was not pleasing so they needed capturing sounds and scenes to attract the audience.

Scene 2

Throughout the first two scenes of the script, Macbeth has been portrayed as a brave loyal soldier to King Duncan. ” The victory fell on us-” was spoken by Rosse. Shakespeare used the victory as a way of congratulating Macbeth. In Duncans eyes, the victory fell upon Macbeth as he “won the battle for the Duncan” The battle was won by Duncan however he chose to be selfish and unfair towards the Norwegians. ” Nor would he deign him burial of his men.” This quote was said in honor of the king. It meant that they would not give the Norwegians burial of there fallen without payment.

Scene 3

Shakespeare wrote “Macbeth” as a tragedy. Our expectations of a tragedy show that there are going to be many deaths and in certain ways. The deaths are going to be either gruesome or at there own misfortune. The idea of destiny or fate is brought into the play when Macbeth says. ” If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.” This idea is the thought that even if Macbeth doesn’t act the prophecy that the Witches gave him will come true. This is hard for Macbeth to process because the thought of him becoming king is illegal as the king must die.

Scene 6

Duncan and Banquo arrive at Macbeths castle. They complement the castle and speak to lady Macbeth. She used dramatic irony to hide her true feeling about there arrival. This is very powerful because only the audience gets to see the true plans of Lady Macbeth. On the outside, she acts polite and ladylike towards Duncan and Banquo but she has other motives towards them. This is because she wants Macbeth to be king. “this castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses” Is a quote that Duncan says at the beginning of the scene. It is showing how polite Duncan is towards Lady Macbeth.

scene 7

In this scene Lady Macbeth and Macbeth argue about the killing of Macbeth. “We will proceed no further in this business” Is the line that Macbeths says in this scene. He is telling Lady Macbeth that he will not kill Duncan. He wants to be a man of honor and is wary of the consequences. lady Macbeth does not agree with his decision and speaks aggressively about how he will be more of a man if he kills the king. She goes further into discussing how she would kill her own child for him if she promised. Macbeth does not respond with many words but simply asks her about the consequences. In this scene there is a lot of sexism towards women. Macbeth simply silences Lady Macbeth because she is a woman. To show his power Macbeth states “Bring forward men-children only” This is a powerful sentence because to only have male children was powerful. After Lady Macbeth realizes Macbeth does not want to kill Duncan she gets angry and convinces him otherwise. She has a well thought out plan about getting the guards drunk on wine, killing Duncan and then framing the guards. Macbeth agrees to this plan and the scene is ended. Macbeth has fallen Into lady Macbeths trap of killing Duncan.