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Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Act I Scene 3

It appears as though Macbeth has thought of the crime before his first meeting with the witches, and with their prophesy and added honours conferred on him as Thane of Cawder stimulated him for kingship sealing it with the words of the witches, all hail Macbeth thou shalt be king hereafter.

Succumbed to temptation, temptation for kingship - Macbeth is driven to the easy prey of supernatural influence. The background created for the presence of the witches, seems to be filled with witchcraft and hallucinations.

Macbeth has already thought of the murder of Duncan and he has unfolded it to Lady Macbeth, thus becoming guilty conscience and subjected to the sympathy of the witches, the witches don't have sympathy, hence Macbeth becomes an easy prey to them. Banquo is cool and collected Macbeth: "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" signifies the moral strife in Macbeth's heart." The echo of the witches' parting cry creating much embarrassment encourages the witches' prophesy.

1st witch - "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee thane of Glamis!"

2nd witch - "All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee thane of Cawdr!"

3rd witch - "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!"

Macbeth being victorious and the death of Sinel, 'the thane of cawder' inspires Macbeth to strive for his ulterior aim 'the kingship'. The message of Ross and Angus bringing "the message conferring the honour." "The Thane of Cawder" inspires Macbeth to strive for his ultimate end. Macbeth's soliloquey reveals his inner qualities, his ambition, "Glamis and Thane of Cawdor The greatest is behind."

Macbeth's supreme quality - his imaginativeness which makes succumbs him to the evil influence of superstition; while Banquo remains unmoved and unchanged, even after hearing that his sons have become kings. But Macbeth gets fully absorbed in superstition.

If chance will have me, king, why,
chance may crown me,
without my stir.

Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

Macbeth, thus absorbed in thoughts, suddenly realises his delay in forgetting to regard others and having extended his apologies to them tries to find a reason for it.

Act One

Scene 4

Act I Scene 4 begins; with the Palace as the meeting place of King Duncan, Malcolm Donalbain and Lennox and attendants.

Cawder's treachery, confession and dignity in meeting his punishment" reflect the dramatic irony common in Shakespeare's plays.

There's no art
To find the mind's construction in the face:
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.

These words could be applied to Macbeth as well. Macbeth's first meeting with the King in Act I Sc IV gives the signal for something significant. There's a strain of irony running through in King Duncan's words.

O worthiest cousin
"The sin of my ingratitude even now.
Was heavy on me: thou art so far before,

- - - move is thy due than more than all can pay" showing the king's extreme gratefulness. For Macbeth has discharged his duty as a loyal subject. The rhyme in these lines gives the effect of terse summing up.

Macbeth, addressing the king shows how a traitor has to put on a false face to force himself to use words in a strained style.

Act I Sc 4

- - nor must be known

No less to have done so, let me infold thee.

The use of double negative common in Shakespeare's style emphasises the ideas expressed. The dramatic irony highlights the effect of the king's words to Malcolm.

To find the mind's construction in the face:
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.

Macbeth's departure to inform Lady Macbeth of the King's arrival rouses the dramatic movement swept slowly on. Spotting a way to destruction. The deed has been visualised by Macbeth.

Let not light see my black and deep desires
and the king's extreme appreciation of
Macbeth's achievements, "full so valiant..."

It is a peerless kinsman.

highlight the dramatic irony in the scene.

Act I Scene 5

Lady Macbeth enters reading a letter telling her about the meeting with the witches and Macbeth, telling his wife, openly what he had indirectly suggested. She knows him best his weakness, his extreme imaginative ways and Lady Macbeth's behaviour pattern seems to be clearly revealed in this scene.

Macbeth being influenced by Supernatural Soliciting that tempts him to crime and Lady Macbeth's ulterior motive, quite strong not to send the king 'alive.'

O'never

Shall sun that morrow see.

She motivates and encourages Macbeth for the tragic incident.

"... look like the innocent flower
But be the serpent under't..."

Act I Scene 6

A short scene with contrasting features of the proceedings ahead. The time is set for the tragic incident. Duncan praising the beauty, peace and serenity of Macbeth's castle which is going to be the place of his death and his unconscious reproach to Lady Macbeth, the schemer and planner of his murder, his tragic end and Banquo observing the air is delicate sarcastically reflects the mystic atmosphere prevailing within. Lady Macbeth's anxious and warm welcome extended lavishly to the king and the king requesting her to conduct him to his host expressing his love to him isquite ironic.

... We love him highly, And shall continue our graces towards him.

Act I Scene 7

This Scene 7 begins with Macbeth's soliloquy revealing the medley of feelings in Macbeth's heart and against the meditated crime.

Act 1 Sc 7 contd.

He feels that if the crime is done sooner the better. He weighs the merits and demerits. He fears the consequences that might take place

... commends the ingredients of our

poisoned chalice

To our own lips.

Macbeth has two strong reasons - kingship and loyalty standing in a very contrasting manner. Besides, this Duncan

Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet tongud, against
The deep damnation of his taking off.

Macbeth has no grievances for Duncan has conferred on him honours lavishly and sincerely. It's Macbeth's ambition to be King spurs him to the evil deed. Shakespeare's use of two images - one piece of imagery is being transitted to another piece of imagery is clearly highlighted in the last two lines.

"... I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'er leaps itself
And falls on the other."

Macbeth even decides not to proceed further. But Lady Macbeth motivates him, inspires him and encourages him to do the act - the murder - aiming at kingship.

Act I Sc 7 contd.

"But screw your courage to the sticking place
And we'll not fail..."

Macbeth is being formed by Lady Macbeth to do the murder and put the guilt on the two officers.

"The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell"

... As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar upon his death.

Ultimately Macbeth decides to do the murder aiming at the crown.

I am settled and bend up...

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake, Retd. Specialist Teacher Eng. Lit., St. Anne's College, Kurunegala.

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