Saturday, May 25, 2013

Whats Going on in Act 1 Right Now...


**Watch the Act 1 scene 1 of the three witches here**

In Act 1 there is big news because Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, has won a great battle and King Duncan is very impressed with his nobility and powerful efforts. King Duncan, the king of all of Scotland orders the execution of the rebel thane of Cawdor so that he can grant Macbeth a higher stature of power as a reward for his great success and services. Meanwhile, three mysterious witches prepare to meet Macbeth to give him news that he will be crowned not only the thane of Glamis but also thane of Cawdor and then king afterwards! When Macbeth encounters the three witches he is intrigued to know what the ugly creatures are as they don't appear to be woman of the earth. He pressures them to find out what foul creatures they are and find out what they are doing in the hills. The witches are pleased to have Macbeth in their presence as they tell him their predictions and also add that Banquo, Macbeth's fellow warrior and great friend will have two sons that will become kings. Macbeth does not see how the witches can be speaking truth as he is only thane of Glamis, not of Cawdor or for that matter, the King of Scotland! He explains to the witches that the thane of Cawdor lives and that such things cannot be true, however he demands witches to tell him more along with their reason for saying such things, but its too late the witches have said what they had planned and they vanish. Banquo and Macbteh are stunned not only by the magical disappearance and of the witches but also by their vague predictions. Soon after the witches are gone, Ross and Angus appear and give notice to Macbeth that the king has received the news of Macbeth's great success in battle and that they have been sent to give the kings thanks and news that he has been rewarded with the title thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and Banquo are shocked as the witches have spoken the truth and the first of their predictions has commenced. Macbeth insists on telling Ross and Angus that the thane of Cawdor still lives and that they cannot fool him into becoming something that is already taken, but Angus explains that the thane of Cawdor was suspected for treason and he deserved to lose his title, giving it to Macbeth for wear. Macbeth turns to Banquo and they both realize that this is not a joke, to the side Macbeth is convinced that two of the deeds have been done and now all that is left for him to achieve is King of Scotland! Macbeth journeys to the Kings Castle and is greeted by the king who thanks him personally for his loyalty and service and Macbeth reply by saying that it he does "everything safe towards your [king's]love and honour." (1.4.30) King Duncan announces his intentions to have his son Malcolm, the Prince of Cumberland succeed him as King and set out to see Macbeth at his fortress in Inverness where they will celebrate his knighting and battle accomplishments. Macbeth hearing of King Duncan's plans to have his son take up the crown realizes that this will stand in his way of becoming King himself. He is convinced that the only way to become King as the witches have predicted is by killing the King himself and his son afterwards. The trigger behind this evilness is the fact that two of the three predictions have come true and gives Macbeth a bigger urge to complete the third prediction. Macbeth keeps these thoughts internal and he welcomes the arrival of King Duncan at Inverness as he leaves the Kings castle. Macbeth then writes to his wife Lady Macbeth at Inverness of the Kings visit and his meeting with the witches. Lady Macbeth reads the letter fearing that Macbeth will not have the fearlessness to fulfil the deed of murdering the King, she calls upon the evil inside of her to help complete the predictions fully and help her by giving her the title as Queen. When Macbeth arrives home to Lady Macbeth in Inverness she assures him that she will have everything prepared for the Kings arrival and that he has nothing to worry about as she will make the preparations to allow the murder of Duncan to go very smoothly. When Duncan arrives at Inverness Lady Macbeth greets him and escorts him to dinner where Macbeth awaits him. Macbeth starts to contemplate whether his plans for murder are evil and terrible, he cannot be found in the chamber and Lady Macbeth demands why he is not in the presence of their guests and King. Macbeth tells her that he will go no further in their business and Lady Macbeth mocks him of his foolish fears and tells him her plan. She informs Macbeth that he must kill the King when he is asleep by intoxicating his guards with wine and entering his bedroom for the kill. Macbeth becomes more sure of the plan and agrees to continue with the murder. 
http://mullen.pbworks.com/w/page/10606080/Lady%20Macbeth

I think Macbeth is a good nobleman who is brave and does have a good kind heart but he is side-tracked when he hears the witches predictions finding them to be true and he develops a need for success and greater stature more and more - even if it requires him to complete horrible acts that he is not accustomed with. I believe Macbeth's wife has a major influence on him poisoning his mind with the reasons for him to continue with their plans at times when he believes that the murder is not a good idea. I think Macbeth should continue to serve himself with success on the battlefield and not by piercing the heart of his own King. 

I believe Shakespeare has started the play with a interesting and very active beginning, a lot of this plays major conflicts are introduced in this act and gives the audience or readers a need to read more because the next act will answer many of the problems that Shakespeare wrote. 

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