Sample Essay on Macbeth First Act

Macbeth is based on a real-life person. It is a very inspirational play, which contains many morals and involves many themes. The play consists of tragedy, blood and murder. It demonstrates, the extent to which people go to, to achieve their ‘goal’. Therefore it makes you realise how selfish people can be, and how greed, power, ambition and money can mean more to people then anything else. The play contains a range of evil and supernatural occurrences, which can take over a persons mind, and turn them into a deceitful person.

Shakespeare got his inspiration for ‘Macbeth’ from the historian Holinshed, and his script on the ‘History of Scotland’. Shakespeare was intrigued by him and developed his ideas to create a more gruesome, bloodthirsty play. ‘Macbeth’ was first performed in 1606 for King James 1st. Also during the 17th century. This was the Elizabethan period. During this time, there was a huge up evil in religion. Witchcraft was immensely popular, and therefore had a huge impact on everyday life, as well as the play.

The play is not only effective because it elaborates on these issues, but is effective because it creates a lot of suspense. Shakespeare constantly creates tense, mysterious images by reinforcing supernatural occurrences, persuading you to continue watching. Due to this, at times, the play is quite a disturbing.

In the very first scene, Shakespeare introduces the witches. He uses stormy, horrid weather like lightening and thunder, which symbolises evil and creates a scary, tense atmosphere. The witches usually speak in riddles, and tend to use alliteration.

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Fair is foul, and foul is fair

This is a very clever technique, for it makes us confused. According to this riddle, the witches feel that good things are bad, and bad things are good. Already we can predict that the witches are quite deceptive, and are up to mischief. Elizabethan people, at the time believed in witches and therefore the supernatural occurrences were not unusual to them. Shakespeare therefore reinforced the witches, for he felt that they played an important role.

Not only is this scene very dramatic, it is also quite important, for we hear the first mention of ‘Macbeth’, and also because it foretells the future.

When shall we three meet again…..

When the hulyburly’s done,

When the battle’s lost and won.

Scene two sets up Macbeths’ character, for he is very well rated. He is recognised by the king for bravely slaughtering and fighting in the battle. He is referred to as

brave Macbeth…..

O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!

Due to his braveness, Macbeth is rewarded, by the king who proclaims him, ‘Thane of Cawdor’. This previously belonged to a ‘very disloyal traitor’. At the moment Macbeth is a good person, and a very brave warrior.

In scene 3 we once again meet with the ‘weird sisters’, Shakespeare once again uses stormy weather to represent their presence. This scene is extremely effective for we are assured that the witches are evil characters, for at this point the witches are concocting a spell to murder someone. These actions show that the witches are not only evil, but also show that they have a lot of power. We are also very shocked, and curious when Macbeth echoes the witches

So foul and fair a day I have not seen

After the battle Macbeth meets with the ‘instruments of darkness’, who stun him with silence when they reveal 3 prophecies.

Thane of Glamis……

Thane of Cawdor…..

King….

This creates suspense, and we begin to believe that the witches have power. For Macbeth is ‘Thane of Glamis’, and he is about to be made the ‘Thane of Cawdor’. After hearing these mysterious predictions, Macbeth becomes very confused and thoughts are running through his head. He knows that it is possible for him to become King, for at the time there was a monarchy. Ross then arrives and rewards Macbeth with his title. Macbeth is startled, and begins to believe in the witch’s predictions.

The greatest is behind

However we soon have a change of opinion about Macbeth, and we begin to wonder whether or not he really is as innocent, as people make him out to be. For at this point a soliloquy is used to tell us Macbeth’s inner thoughts

Murder yet is but fantastical…..

At this point the audience would be astounded, for the King was known to be divine, and murdering him would be a horrendous crime. Although murder crosses Macbeth’s mind, he does not feel he can act upon it.

The play becomes extremely interesting for the plot begins to unravel.

In scene 4 we are constantly reminded about power and authority, for sovereign is symbolised to represent power.

Is execution done on Cawdor?

Macbeth is disappointed, when it is revealed that Malcolm is next in line to inherit the throne. He sees this him as an obstacle and is furious.

For in my way it lies

Once again murder crosses Macbeth’s mind

Stars, hide your fires!

Let not light see my black and deep desires;

The plot becomes more and more exciting, as Macbeth, begins to evolve.

In scene 5, Macbeth expresses his relationship with Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth explaining the fact that he has not been proclaimed as the next to inherit the throne, and is furious. This shows that they do not have any secrets from each other, and the fact that they have a very strong, loving, faithful relationship. He refers to her as his ‘dearest partner of greatness’.

My dearest love

This is the very first time that we are introduced to Lady Macbeth. She

comes across as being an ambitious, determined, impulsive woman, who will persevere to help her husband succeed, and become King. We also learn from this scene that Lady Macbeth is extremely impressionable, she feels that Macbeth is too honourable

It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness

and incapable of harming anyone, and therefore feels it is her duty to urge her husband to become king. She shares her cunning plan to kill King Duncan with Macbeth.

We will speak no further

Although she strives to take control of the situation, she cannot achieve this on her own, and calls upon the evil spirits to help her.

Scene 6 is a very electric scene. Shakespeare creates an image of a wonderful evening, and a spectacular event. In this scene Duncan and his fellow kinsman gather at Macbeths castle for a feast. At this point the audience would be in totally horrified, for they know what is about to proceed. However Shakespeare cleverly uses irony to set a guilty feeling.

This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air

Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself

Unto our gentle senses.

This technique is repeated, for Duncan compliments Lady Macbeth in the same way, and refers to her as an ‘honour’d hostess’, ‘fair and noble hostess. Once again the same technique is applied to Macbeth.

Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly

In scene 7, Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth, to carry out the assassination. Once again another very clever technique is used to persuade Macbeth. For Lady Macbeth mocks him and teases him until he agrees to proceed.

Art thou afeared…..

You would be so much more the man.

Macbeth feels that he cannot go through with the murder, for people have ‘golden opinions’ of him, also because he is scared that their plan will fail. He is torn between his strong ambition, and the enormity of killing the king. Lady Macbeth is very determined, and has a very positive attitude

And we’ll not fail

By using these tactics, she eventually persuades Macbeth to carry out the assassination.

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

I think the very first act of ‘Macbeth’, is extremely effective. It is very creative and imaginative. Shakespeare adapts many clever techniques to create mixed emotions. Irony is used, riddles are used, every scene is approached in a different manner. The major themes of the play, ‘ambition, evil and witchcraft’, prepare the audience for the play’s moral. For it expresses how greed, power, and determination, can change a person for the worst. Also that ambition and success can mean more to people than anything else. The play demonstrates, that people will fight, torture and murder to defeat their obstacles. The finest thing about this act is that it brings fear, hatred, love, suspense, and shock, in very intriguing way.