The Captain in the battlefield describes Macbeth as a noble, great, and strong hero. He says that Macbeth went against all odds and was able to fight against the slave and cut him from his nave to his chops. The dying Captain is very impressed by Macbeth, because he is brave, strong, and very good at fighting with the equipment he is given. So our first impression of Macbeth is a very good one with positive remarks about his fighting skills.
"So foul and fair a day I have not seen." Macbeth's first words in the play serve as a sense of foreshadowing. A raising storm has been created by the witches and Macbeth's quote coincide with those of the witches, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." This aspect leaves the audience to believe that Macbeth and the forces of darkness and malign will cross paths many times to come, which may lead to Macbeth's downfall.
Shakespeare uses rhyming with his iambic pentameter occasionally in Macbeth. I was able to find two instances of this in the first act of the play. The first is when he decides to just sit, and wait for the witch's prophecy to come true, "Come what come may. Time and the hour runs through the roughest day." The second time is when he decides instead to kill Duncan and make the prophecy come true, "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." It seems that the rhyming scheme is used only when Macbeth has a change of heart, or a reflection. The only instance where this is not the case is when he feels guilty and decides not to kill Duncan, but this may be the case because he changed his mind again a few lines later.
In Shakespeare's time, and encounter with the witches would probably involve them being lowered into "hell", or raised into the upper reaches of the stage by system of ropes and pulleys. A modern director could use fog machines, multicolored lights, and electronic music (unlike a live orchestra that was common in Shakespeare's time). The modern director's arsenal of special effects would help in the supernatural side of the witches.
King Duncan is a benevolent well-meaning ruler, he is simply far too trusting. In his few appearances in the first act, he is constantly referring to Macbeth as "Noble Macbeth", unaware of what Macbeth would later do to him out of lust for power. King Duncan seems very consumed with the well being of his subjects, which can be seen when he sends his men to get a surgeon for the fallen captain and when he speaks of great happiness.
Lady Macbeth was asking for help from Satan and spirits in Hell. She is obviously not afraid to get what she wants and do whatever it takes. She is persistent in her attitude towards power and is stronger than even the love of her own child. Her character is strong willed, and power-hungry.
In Shakespeare’s time, using special effects to enhance scenes was not an option. The biggest special effect in Macbeth Act 1 might have been the witches, attached to ropes, flying up into the air during their disappearance in the scene with Macbeth and Banquo. In current times, we have many other options to enhance scenes in theatrical productions. For example, there is thunder when the witches enter the stage, and in Elizabethan times that probably meant a loud drum or instrument. Now, more realistic thunder sounds could be utilized using technology or other devices, as well as strobe lights to simulate lightning. Also, fog machines could be used for the witches’ entrances and exits on and off stage to give the scenes a more eerie and mysterious feel. Unfortunately, humans still cannot fly, so something would still have to be attached to the actress or actor to simulate flight, but thinner and stronger cables could be used instead of thick ropes to make the flight appear more realistic.
Although I have already posted once, I will post again. Lady Macbeth knows exactly what she wants and knows exactly how to get it. She is very determined and set in her ways. Throughout Macbeth, she progressively grows more and more trifling. She starts off as this sweet loving wife, but soon evolves into this baby smashing witch. This is my last time trying to post.
After Duncan's murder both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are very nervous and anxious. Macbeth is anxious because he is feeling very guilty and feels that he is no longer a religious man and that not even all of the water in the ocean could could wash his sins away. Lady Macbeth is nervous because she does not want to get caught. She does not have any guilt, because all she wanted was the deed to get done. Their nervousness is able to be detected by their conversation pattern. They are bickering back and forth, they are talking in very short sentences, and they are asking each other many questions making sure that all of their evidence is covered up. They need to make sure that there is no evidence pointing towards them and that they have the same story for that night.
Following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth meet up. They are discussing the details of the crime and the reader can tell that they are both very nervous and anxious. Macbeth has just committed the murder and therefore feels the guilt because he believes in religion. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth is fearful of anyone finding out about their act. Their conversation consists of arguing between them. Also, both of them seem to be very worried and that is why when reading the passage, I felt as if they were speaking rapidly and in a hush tone.
4.2 Shakespeare uses humor to relieve the intensity of the tragedy. After Duncan’s murder, naturally the audience is saddened and on the edge of their seats. When the porter comes on stage and starts rambling and making inappropriate jokes, it relaxes the viewer. The jokes made by the porter are so easy to comprehend even the uneducated people who would watch Macbeth in Shakespeare’s times could understand them.
4. In the early lines of the play, Shakespeare uses rhyme during the witches’ speech. I’m assuming he does so to enunciate their strange nature and spells. The sisters are supposed to be creepy and ghastly which works well with the rhyme. By using rhyme, Shakespeare makes their intent much clearer.
Shakespeare uses many references to God to suggest a conscience understanding of the actions that took place were obviously wrong. Shakespeare includes the scene with Macbeth hearing the prayers from the guests as a sign of the discomfort he feels over his actions.
8 Shakespeare uses the earth shaking as an indicator of supernatural unrest when Macbeth kills King Duncan. It was thought that if you killed a king it would throw off the balance of the earth in these times, and as a result, there was also poltical unrest as to who should take over and who was guilty. Macbeth also heard knocking sounds and voices immediately prior to committing this act. This is Shakespeare's clever way of using the senses to foreshadow.
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he is overwhelmed with guilt. Lady Macbeth however, feels none at all and ridicules Macbeth for feeling bad. One could argue that Macbeth feels guilty because of universal human code of conduct, but then Lady Macbeth would be an exception. However, Macbeth is obviously a more humanized being that feels emotions like guilt in comparison with Lady Macbeth. Also Macbeth's religious nature pushes him towards guilt, for example on page 57 Macbeth says, "One cried 'God bless us', and 'Amen' the other, as they had seen me with these hangman's hands, listening their fear. I could not say 'Amen' when they did say 'God bless us.' … But wherefore could I not pronounce 'Amen'? I had most need of that blessing, and 'Amen' stuck in my throat."
Summer Question 1:
ReplyDeleteThe Captain in the battlefield describes Macbeth as a noble, great, and strong hero. He says that Macbeth went against all odds and was able to fight against the slave and cut him from his nave to his chops. The dying Captain is very impressed by Macbeth, because he is brave, strong, and very good at fighting with the equipment he is given. So our first impression of Macbeth is a very good one with positive remarks about his fighting skills.
Good detail here.
DeleteQuestion 2:
ReplyDelete"So foul and fair a day I have not seen." Macbeth's first words in the play serve as a sense of foreshadowing. A raising storm has been created by the witches and Macbeth's quote coincide with those of the witches, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." This aspect leaves the audience to believe that Macbeth and the forces of darkness and malign will cross paths many times to come, which may lead to Macbeth's downfall.
Excellent insight and style here!
DeleteQuestion 4:
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses rhyming with his iambic pentameter occasionally in Macbeth. I was able to find two instances of this in the first act of the play. The first is when he decides to just sit, and wait for the witch's prophecy to come true, "Come what come may. Time and the hour runs through the roughest day." The second time is when he decides instead to kill Duncan and make the prophecy come true, "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." It seems that the rhyming scheme is used only when Macbeth has a change of heart, or a reflection. The only instance where this is not the case is when he feels guilty and decides not to kill Duncan, but this may be the case because he changed his mind again a few lines later.
Interesting connections. Are the rhyming couplets typically at the end of a scene or act?
DeleteIn Shakespeare's time, and encounter with the witches would probably involve them being lowered into "hell", or raised into the upper reaches of the stage by system of ropes and pulleys. A modern director could use fog machines, multicolored lights, and electronic music (unlike a live orchestra that was common in Shakespeare's time). The modern director's arsenal of special effects would help in the supernatural side of the witches.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 6:
ReplyDeleteKing Duncan is a benevolent well-meaning ruler, he is simply far too trusting. In his few appearances in the first act, he is constantly referring to Macbeth as "Noble Macbeth", unaware of what Macbeth would later do to him out of lust for power. King Duncan seems very consumed with the well being of his subjects, which can be seen when he sends his men to get a surgeon for the fallen captain and when he speaks of great happiness.
Lady Macbeth was asking for help from Satan and spirits in Hell. She is obviously not afraid to get what she wants and do whatever it takes. She is persistent in her attitude towards power and is stronger than even the love of her own child. Her character is strong willed, and power-hungry.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3:
ReplyDeleteIn Shakespeare’s time, using special effects to enhance scenes was not an option. The biggest special effect in Macbeth Act 1 might have been the witches, attached to ropes, flying up into the air during their disappearance in the scene with Macbeth and Banquo. In current times, we have many other options to enhance scenes in theatrical productions. For example, there is thunder when the witches enter the stage, and in Elizabethan times that probably meant a loud drum or instrument. Now, more realistic thunder sounds could be utilized using technology or other devices, as well as strobe lights to simulate lightning. Also, fog machines could be used for the witches’ entrances and exits on and off stage to give the scenes a more eerie and mysterious feel. Unfortunately, humans still cannot fly, so something would still have to be attached to the actress or actor to simulate flight, but thinner and stronger cables could be used instead of thick ropes to make the flight appear more realistic.
Nicely explained.
DeleteHere is a random fun fact about when thunder first showed up on stage in 1704.
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/steal-ones-thunder.html
Although I have already posted once, I will post again. Lady Macbeth knows exactly what she wants and knows exactly how to get it. She is very determined and set in her ways. Throughout Macbeth, she progressively grows more and more trifling. She starts off as this sweet loving wife, but soon evolves into this baby smashing witch. This is my last time trying to post.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds way too obvious, but did you press "publish' after you wrote?
DeleteQuestion 3:
ReplyDeleteAfter Duncan's murder both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are very nervous and anxious. Macbeth is anxious because he is feeling very guilty and feels that he is no longer a religious man and that not even all of the water in the ocean could could wash his sins away. Lady Macbeth is nervous because she does not want to get caught. She does not have any guilt, because all she wanted was the deed to get done. Their nervousness is able to be detected by their conversation pattern. They are bickering back and forth, they are talking in very short sentences, and they are asking each other many questions making sure that all of their evidence is covered up. They need to make sure that there is no evidence pointing towards them and that they have the same story for that night.
Question 3
ReplyDeleteFollowing the murder of Duncan, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth meet up. They are discussing the details of the crime and the reader can tell that they are both very nervous and anxious. Macbeth has just committed the murder and therefore feels the guilt because he believes in religion. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth is fearful of anyone finding out about their act. Their conversation consists of arguing between them. Also, both of them seem to be very worried and that is why when reading the passage, I felt as if they were speaking rapidly and in a hush tone.
4.2
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses humor to relieve the intensity of the tragedy. After Duncan’s murder, naturally the audience is saddened and on the edge of their seats. When the porter comes on stage and starts rambling and making inappropriate jokes, it relaxes the viewer. The jokes made by the porter are so easy to comprehend even the uneducated people who would watch Macbeth in Shakespeare’s times could understand them.
Yes. A little welcome comic relief for the groundlings.
Delete4. In the early lines of the play, Shakespeare uses rhyme during the witches’ speech. I’m assuming he does so to enunciate their strange nature and spells. The sisters are supposed to be creepy and ghastly which works well with the rhyme. By using rhyme, Shakespeare makes their intent much clearer.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses many references to God to suggest a conscience understanding of the actions that took place were obviously wrong. Shakespeare includes the scene with Macbeth hearing the prayers from the guests as a sign of the discomfort he feels over his actions.
ReplyDelete8
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses the earth shaking as an indicator of supernatural unrest when Macbeth kills King Duncan. It was thought that if you killed a king it would throw off the balance of the earth in these times, and as a result, there was also poltical unrest as to who should take over and who was guilty. Macbeth also heard knocking sounds and voices immediately prior to committing this act. This is Shakespeare's clever way of using the senses to foreshadow.
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he is overwhelmed with guilt. Lady Macbeth however, feels none at all and ridicules Macbeth for feeling bad. One could argue that Macbeth feels guilty because of universal human code of conduct, but then Lady Macbeth would be an exception. However, Macbeth is obviously a more humanized being that feels emotions like guilt in comparison with Lady Macbeth. Also Macbeth's religious nature pushes him towards guilt, for example on page 57 Macbeth says, "One cried 'God bless us', and 'Amen' the other, as they had seen me with these hangman's hands, listening their fear. I could not say 'Amen' when they did say 'God bless us.' … But wherefore could I not pronounce 'Amen'? I had most need of that blessing, and 'Amen' stuck in my throat."
ReplyDelete