Macbeth

Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' was written in 1606. The play tells the story of a man, urged by his wife and told by prophecy, who deliberately kills the king in order to gain power.

The play starts with thunder and lightening. Three witches appear and talk about meeting after the battle which is a rebellion in Scotland. There is also mention of them meeting Macbeth 'There to meet with Macbeth' (Line 8). This leaves you with the question is Macbeth anything to do with the supernatural? Witches are looked upon as being supernatural beings. As they all leave they set the theme of the play 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air.' (Lines 12 and 13).

Act I Scene 2 tells about a battle that is going on and how Macbeth fought well and killed a slave. 'For brave Macbeth - well he deserved that name'. (Line 16). Macbeth is being looked upon as brave, a sort of hero. The enemies come back with reinforcements and try to fight again. This angers Macbeth so he fights back and defeats the Thane of Cawdor. He is then given the title Thane of Cawdor. 'No more than Thane of Cawdor shall deceive, Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth'. (Lines 62 - 65). A Thane is a nobleman in Scotland and a sought-after title to obtain. Macbeth is looked at as someone to look up to, at this point in the play before we even meet him, he seems strong willed and loyal to his country.

Act I Scene 3 introduces Macbeth into the play. The witches meet as planned and Macbeth comes along. They sing a song to Macbeth and hail him Thane of Glamis, his current title and the Thane of Cawdor. At this point in time Macbeth doesn't know that he is about to receive Thane of Cawdor and the witches predict he will become king which is a total shock to him. 'All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.' (Lines 46 - 48) Banquo is surprised that Macbeth isn't ecstatic with his prophecy but Macbeth wants to know more. This makes Macbeth seem an inquisitive character. They then meet Ross and Angus who tell Macbeth about how the king is going to honour him in person and how he is going to receive Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth starts to think that the prophecy might come true. Macbeth becomes scared as he considers killing the king to complete the prophecy. 'My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical'. (Line 138). Macbeth who seemed loyal to his king to begin with now seems to be doubting his loyalty as he thinks of killing the king receive more power. He seems to be doubting himself and fighting in his own mind because he knows these thoughts are wrong.

Act I Scene 4 speaks about how people were sent to kill the Cawdor but he confessed and apologised for what he had done so he could be at peace with himself when he was killed. But Duncan makes an important comment saying he trusts the Cawdor because he is deceptive in the way he acted. Macbeth arrives the king thanks him for what he did, saying he could never repay him. This makes Macbeth sound even more of a hero but we now know some of the thoughts that are going through his mind about killing the king. Macbeth replies that he was just doing his duty. 'The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself.' (Lines 21 - 22). The king says he is happy despite troubles and declares that his son Malcolm will be the next successor to the throne. 'We will establish our estate upon, Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter, The Prince of Cumberland'. This creates a problem for Macbeth in getting to the throne. 'The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step, On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies.' (Lines 48 - 50). The king decides to visit Macbeth's castle, so Macbeth goes to tell his wife. He talks about how he is having dark thoughts about trying to become king.

Act I Scene 5 introduces Lady Macbeth to the play. She reads a letter sent by Macbeth, telling her of the witches prophecy. 'Thane of Cawdor, By which title before these weird sisters saluted me and referred me to the coming on of time, with "Hail, king that shalt be".' (Lines 6 -9). Macbeth seems very much in love with Lady Macbeth as he tells her everything and calls her words such as 'My dearest partner of greatness' (Lines 9 - 10). Lady Macbeth thinks that her husband is to nice to get the greatness he is promised so she decides to help him get the crown. 'Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be, What thou art promised; yet do I fear thy nature, It is too gull o'th'milk of human kindness.' (Lines 13 - 15). A messenger tells her the king is coming and she decides that Duncan will be killed while staying there. She tries to get rid of all kind thoughts so that she can do the deed. 'That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull, Of direct cruelty; make thick my blood.' (Lines 39 - 41). Lady Macbeth wants the prophecy to come true as she will be Queen. She wants to be able to commit the murder of the king without having a guilty conscience. She tells her husband to appear normal, even when he is planning to kill the king. 'You're face, my thane, is as a book where men, May read strange matters.' (Line 60 - 61).

Act I Scene 6 Duncan arrives at the castle and talks about how pleasant the castle is. 'This castle hath a pleasant seat.' (Line 1). Duncan greets Lady Macbeth, who returns the formality and assures her loyalty. 'In every point twice done and then done double.' (Line 16). She leads them into the castle. 'Still to return your own'. (Line 28.)

Act I Scene 7 Macbeth contemplates the crime and says he should do it soon if he is going to do it. 'If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well, It could be done quickly.' (Lines 1 - 2). If this was all there was to murdering the king all he would have to worry about is afterlife but he is also judged on Earth, and murdering the king may lead to his own death. He is supposed to be loyal to king Duncan as a relative and a host. 'He's here in double trust.' (Line 12). Duncan is a nice, great leader and who ever kills him will be damned, whilst everyone will be sad. There is nothing driving Macbeth on to kill the king except ambition, which is like a spur but also like a rider who jumps on a horse but falls off the other side. This makes Macbeth seem very ambitious. Duncan almost finishes his dinner and Macbeth considers as he doesn't want to kill someone who has done him so well. 'We will proceed no further in this