Witches in the early 17th century

Act 1 scene 1 begins with a dialogue about three witches meeting in an open place. They talk about meeting again an on the heath as witch 1 says “where the place” which 2 replies “Upon the heath” In the early 17 century witches were women thought to be pagans doing the Devil’s work, people believed that witches inherited magical powers from Satan in exchange for the witch’s soul. Some of these magical powers they were thought to have been shapeshifting and cursing bad luck on others. Since Macbeth was written in the 17 century the three witches that are in the first scene are likely to be the evil characters

Scene 2

King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain and Lenox meet with an injured captain, The Captain speaks about Macbeth’s bravery in the war against the Norwegians, he says ” for brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)”. The captain then leaves to attend his wounds and Rosse and Angus enter and King Duncan gives Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor’s title “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest. – Go, pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth.

Scene 3

in scene 3 the 3 witches meet on the heath and the first witch relates how she will torment a sailor whose wife has been rude to her which one said “a sailors wife had chestnuts in her lap, and munched, and munched, and munched: “give me” quoth I: ariont thee, witch the rump-fed ronyon cries. her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o the Tiger: But in a sieve, I’ll thither sail, And, like a rat without a tail, I’ll do, I’ll do and I’ll do. The witches then greet Macbeth (who is the thane of Glamis) with the predictions that he will be thane of Cawdor and King. Banquo asks the witches to predict the future and they tell him his descendants will be king but he will not. Angus and Rosse arrive to give news that Macbeth is to be made thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is amazed that the witches predictions have come true. Despite receiving a warning from Banquo that the witches might be leading him to evil Macbeth thinks about killing Duncan ” my thought murder yet is but fantastical”

Scene 4

During this scene, Macbeth conceals his thoughts from Banquo. Duncan’s son Malcolm reports that the rebel Cawdor faced his execution with dignity as Malcolm reports ” that very frankly he confessed his treasons, implored your highness pardon, and set forth a deep repentance”. Duncan thanks Macbeth and Banquo for defeating the rebels and enounces his eldest son Malcolm will be king after he dies “Our eldest, Malcolm; whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland”.

Scene 5

In Act 1, Scene 5 of William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, in Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy a language feature she uses is personification. After the messenger leaves Lady Macbeth can not believe her luck as the king is coming to the castle to stay the night during this time she plans to kill Duncan and wishes a blanket of darkness would hide her actions” That my keen knife sees not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, “, this personification is showing she wants the dark night to hide her plans and actions to kill the king by the darkness wrapping around like a ‘blanket’ so she may not see the wound the knife makes and also so the heavens won’t watch and judge when she kills Duncan.

Scene 6

Duncan, the Scottish lords, and their attendants arrive at macbeth’s castle. Lady Macbeth says that it is her duty to be hospitable since she and her husband owe so much to their king. Duncan then asks to be taken inside to Macbeth, whom he professes to love dearly.Duncan’s speech on his arrives at the castle contains dramatic irony as not only is the “seat” (the surroundings) of the castle “pleasant,” but even the air is sweeter than that to which the king is accustomed.

Scene 7

In Macbeth’s soliloquy he thinks about killing Duncan, he is aware of the strong reasons for killing the king but has self doubt coming from his fear rom his fear of retribution both in heaven and on earth and by his likely loss of reputation if he fails. Lady Macbeth later dismiss his fears in the same tone she used earlier on in the play, by teasing her husband about his weakness and the efficiency of her plan convinced Macbeth they should go ahead with the plan. “I am settled, and bend up
Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” this is showing he has decided to go ahead with the plan and will work hard to succeed.