Act 1, Scene 5-Act 1, Scene 6
act 1, Scene 5: Lady Macbeth reads aloud Macbeth’s letter that details his encounter with the weird sisters. Full of determination and love for her husband, she resolves to convince Macbeth to carry through with the planned murders. She says that Macbeth is too kind and gentle to commit such an act, whereas she is more morally courageous and daring. Lady Macbeth is interrupted by a messenger who tells her that Macbeth and King Duncan will be arriving at Inverness, their castle, in a few moments. Momentarily aghast, Lady Macbeth realizes that this is her chance to kill Duncan. She prays for confidence and unwavering resolve so that she can carry through with her evil intentions. When Macbeth enters, she orders him to appear to be hospitable, servile and kind to the king, as she does not want anyone to suspect them of their plans. She tells Macbeth to put his mind to rest, as she will orchestrate the whole murder.
Act 1, Scene 6: King Duncan and Banquo enter Inverness and admire its beauty and advantageous situation. Lady Macbeth and King Duncan cordially greet each other, and Duncan informs her of his plan to stay overnight. With all of the hospitality of a good host, Lady Macbeth encourages everyone to make themselves at home
Act 1, Scene 7-
Act 1, Scene 7: Macbeth is confused about his course of action. He wishes that Duncan’s murder were an end in itself, tying up all loose ends with the result of sovereignty. Macbeth also wonders whether the crime is worth all of his effort; for a few moments of mortal pleasure, he may be condemned to eternal damnation in Hell. In addition, he tells himself that the crime will be even more ghastly because Macbeth is Duncan’s kinsman, subject and host. It is the assumed duty of the host to protect his guests, not kill them. Furthermore, Macbeth says that Duncan’s virtuous nature will make his murder seem all the more brutal.
Lady Macbeth enters the room and asks Macbeth why he is not dining with Duncan. Macbeth tells his wife that he does not want to proceed with their plans. She furiously asks Macbeth why he is so afraid to be the same in action as he is in desire. In addition, she declares him a sickly coward. She assures her husband that they will not fail in their mission. Lady Macbeth explains that they will poison King Duncan and his servants’ wine with sleeping pills and that Macbeth will murder Duncan in his sleep. Finally convinced by his wife, he agrees to carry through with the plans with the semblance of an amicable host
اختي انتي تابعي معي و اللي بيفيدك خذيه و استفيدي منه لانه انا الرواية مو موجودة عندي الحين
و هذا تحليل للشخصيات
Character Profiles
Duncan, King of Scotland- A venerable and well-liked king that is brutally murdered by Macbeth so that he can realize the witches’ prophecy and become king. He is killed while staying at Macbeth’s own castle.
Macbeth-Title character; nobleman of Scotland, Thane of Glamis; becomes Thane of Cawdor after original namesake is killed for treason. The weird sisters prophesize that he will become king but that his friend Banquo’s posterity shall later have the crown. He kills Duncan to become king, murders Banquo and all of Macduff’s family. The play follows his degeneration as he unsuccessfully tries to keep the throne. He is brutally killed in the end by a vengeful Macduff.
Lady Macbeth- Macbeth’s wife; she urges him to kill King Duncan so that he will have the crown. She later loses her resolve and courage and begins to sleepwalk because of the stress of the crime; commits suicide.
Banquo- Friend of Macbeth and nobleman of Scotland. The witches predict that his sons will be the future kings of Scotland; Macbeth murders him because of this divination. His ghost haunts Macbeth at his coronation banquet; the ghost’s entrance marks the beginning of Macbeth’s end.
Macduff- Scottish nobleman; enemy of Macbeth. He suspects Macbeth of Duncan’s murder and enlists Malcolm, Siward and the King of England’s help in overthrowing Macbeth from the throne. He wants revenge because Macbeth killed his whole family. Macduff finally kills Macbeth because he was not “born of a woman” (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 80) –he was removed from his mother via a cesarean section.
Malcolm- First son of Duncan and heir to the throne; escapes to England after his father’s murder for fear of his life. He is convinced to return to Scotland and claim the throne by Macduff and leads the revolt against Macbeth.
Donalbain- Second son of Duncan; escapes to Ireland after his father’s murder for fear of his life; does not join Malcolm in revolt against Macbeth.
Lennox- Nobleman of Scotland; urges Macduff to bring Malcolm back from England as the rightful heir to the throne.
Ross, Menteith, Angus, Caithness- Scottish noblemen who eventually help Malcolm with his coup d’etat.
Fleance- Son to Banquo; Macbeth tries to kill him but he escapes.
Siward- Earl of Northumberland and general of the English forces; helps Malcolm regain the throne.
Young Siward- Siward’s son; killed by Macbeth in a duel.
Seyton- An officer attending Macbeth.
Son- to Macduff; brutally murdered under Macbeth’s orders.
Lady Macduff- Macduff’s wife; brutally murdered under Macbeth’s orders.
Porter- Opens the gate for Malcolm and Lennox directly after King Duncan’s death.
An Old Man- Talks to Ross about the strange events that occurred on the night of Duncan’s murder.
Murderers- Enlisted by Macbeth to kill Banquo and Fleance; they kill Banquo but Fleance escapes from them.
Gentlewoman- Attendant to Lady Macbeth; observes her strange somnambulatory behavior and enlists the aid of a doctor.
Hecate- Protector of witches/enchanters and the weird sisters’ mistress; concocts a potion that will lead Macbeth to his ruin.
Witches- The weird sisters; prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland; also predict that Banquo’s sons will be heirs to the throne although Banquo himself will never be king. Because of their predictions, Macbeth murders many people. They also help Hecate concoct a potion that will lead Macbeth to his ruin.
Apparitions- Summoned by the weird sisters, they come in three forms: a helmeted head, a bloody child and a crowned child holding a tree. They respectively tell Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff); fear any man who was born of a woman and remain courageous until Great Birnam Wood travels to Dunsinane Hill. A fourth apparition shows Macbeth Banquo’s sons as future kings.
Doctor- Tells the gentlewoman that Lady Macbeth sleepwalks because of some mental/internal suffering and agony.
Lords, Officers, Soldiers, Attendants, Messengers
و هذا تحليل للشخصيات
Character Profiles
Duncan, King of Scotland- A venerable and well-liked king that is brutally murdered by Macbeth so that he can realize the witches’ prophecy and become king. He is killed while staying at Macbeth’s own castle.
Macbeth-Title character; nobleman of Scotland, Thane of Glamis; becomes Thane of Cawdor after original namesake is killed for treason. The weird sisters prophesize that he will become king but that his friend Banquo’s posterity shall later have the crown. He kills Duncan to become king, murders Banquo and all of Macduff’s family. The play follows his degeneration as he unsuccessfully tries to keep the throne. He is brutally killed in the end by a vengeful Macduff.
Lady Macbeth- Macbeth’s wife; she urges him to kill King Duncan so that he will have the crown. She later loses her resolve and courage and begins to sleepwalk because of the stress of the crime; commits suicide.
Banquo- Friend of Macbeth and nobleman of Scotland. The witches predict that his sons will be the future kings of Scotland; Macbeth murders him because of this divination. His ghost haunts Macbeth at his coronation banquet; the ghost’s entrance marks the beginning of Macbeth’s end.
Macduff- Scottish nobleman; enemy of Macbeth. He suspects Macbeth of Duncan’s murder and enlists Malcolm, Siward and the King of England’s help in overthrowing Macbeth from the throne. He wants revenge because Macbeth killed his whole family. Macduff finally kills Macbeth because he was not “born of a woman” (Act 4, Scene 1, Line 80) –he was removed from his mother via a cesarean section.
Malcolm- First son of Duncan and heir to the throne; escapes to England after his father’s murder for fear of his life. He is convinced to return to Scotland and claim the throne by Macduff and leads the revolt against Macbeth.
Donalbain- Second son of Duncan; escapes to Ireland after his father’s murder for fear of his life; does not join Malcolm in revolt against Macbeth.
Lennox- Nobleman of Scotland; urges Macduff to bring Malcolm back from England as the rightful heir to the throne.
Ross, Menteith, Angus, Caithness- Scottish noblemen who eventually help Malcolm with his coup d’etat.
Fleance- Son to Banquo; Macbeth tries to kill him but he escapes.
Siward- Earl of Northumberland and general of the English forces; helps Malcolm regain the throne.
Young Siward- Siward’s son; killed by Macbeth in a duel.
Seyton- An officer attending Macbeth.
Son- to Macduff; brutally murdered under Macbeth’s orders.
Lady Macduff- Macduff’s wife; brutally murdered under Macbeth’s orders.
Porter- Opens the gate for Malcolm and Lennox directly after King Duncan’s death.
An Old Man- Talks to Ross about the strange events that occurred on the night of Duncan’s murder.
Murderers- Enlisted by Macbeth to kill Banquo and Fleance; they kill Banquo but Fleance escapes from them.
Gentlewoman- Attendant to Lady Macbeth; observes her strange somnambulatory behavior and enlists the aid of a doctor.
Hecate- Protector of witches/enchanters and the weird sisters’ mistress; concocts a potion that will lead Macbeth to his ruin.
Witches- The weird sisters; prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland; also predict that Banquo’s sons will be heirs to the throne although Banquo himself will never be king. Because of their predictions, Macbeth murders many people. They also help Hecate concoct a potion that will lead Macbeth to his ruin.
Apparitions- Summoned by the weird sisters, they come in three forms: a helmeted head, a bloody child and a crowned child holding a tree. They respectively tell Macbeth to beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff); fear any man who was born of a woman and remain courageous until Great Birnam Wood travels to Dunsinane Hill. A fourth apparition shows Macbeth Banquo’s sons as future kings.
Doctor- Tells the gentlewoman that Lady Macbeth sleepwalks because of some mental/internal suffering and agony.
Lords, Officers, Soldiers, Attendants, Messengers
و هذا تحليل ادبي للجزء الاول من المسرحية
Metaphor Analysis
“Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
--Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10: Part of the witches’ conversation
This phrase is a metaphor that describes the state of affairs within Macbeth and without in Scotland. Evil and sinister things have taken the place of all that is good and just. Macbeth is a tyrannous ruler who consorts with witches and “murders” sleep; the kind and venerable King Duncan and Banquo are brutally killed. In the midst of all of this, Inverness becomes a living hell for its inhabitants while Macbeth and his wife suffer from delusions and paranoia.
“Like valor’s minion carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave.”
--Act 1, Scene 1, Line 19: Description of Macbeth’s courage in battle by the bloody captain
This metaphor, which likens Macbeth to “valor’s minion,” is ironic because whereas in this case his daring is advantageous, it is a curse later in the play as Macbeth relentlessly murders innocent subjects.
“And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths…”
--Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 123-4: Banquo to Macbeth about the witches
The comparison of the witches to “instruments of darkness” reveals their truly foul nature. Shakespeare is implying through Banquo that the honeyed prophecies of the weird sisters will only bring about Macbeth’s downfall. In addition, since Macbeth listens to the witches, he can be considered an “instrument of darkness” himself.
“…that but this blow
Might be the be-all and end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come.”
--Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 4-7: Macbeth to himself about King Duncan’s impending death
Macbeth compares his indecision about killing Duncan to being on the bank of a river. It is implied that this is the River Styx, the river that in Greek mythology that the damned had to cross over to enter hell. Macbeth is thus likening his murderous thoughts to a damned soul. He says that if it were sure that King Duncan’s death would have no dire consequences, Macbeth would gladly “jump” (cross) the river (Styx) for the “life to come” (hell) in return for mortal pleasure.
“…his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued…”
--Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 18-20: Macbeth to himself about King Duncan
By comparing King Duncan’s virtues to “angels,” Shakespeare implies that Macbeth has no virtues at all.
“The sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil.”
Metaphor Analysis
“Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
--Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10: Part of the witches’ conversation
This phrase is a metaphor that describes the state of affairs within Macbeth and without in Scotland. Evil and sinister things have taken the place of all that is good and just. Macbeth is a tyrannous ruler who consorts with witches and “murders” sleep; the kind and venerable King Duncan and Banquo are brutally killed. In the midst of all of this, Inverness becomes a living hell for its inhabitants while Macbeth and his wife suffer from delusions and paranoia.
“Like valor’s minion carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave.”
--Act 1, Scene 1, Line 19: Description of Macbeth’s courage in battle by the bloody captain
This metaphor, which likens Macbeth to “valor’s minion,” is ironic because whereas in this case his daring is advantageous, it is a curse later in the play as Macbeth relentlessly murders innocent subjects.
“And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths…”
--Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 123-4: Banquo to Macbeth about the witches
The comparison of the witches to “instruments of darkness” reveals their truly foul nature. Shakespeare is implying through Banquo that the honeyed prophecies of the weird sisters will only bring about Macbeth’s downfall. In addition, since Macbeth listens to the witches, he can be considered an “instrument of darkness” himself.
“…that but this blow
Might be the be-all and end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come.”
--Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 4-7: Macbeth to himself about King Duncan’s impending death
Macbeth compares his indecision about killing Duncan to being on the bank of a river. It is implied that this is the River Styx, the river that in Greek mythology that the damned had to cross over to enter hell. Macbeth is thus likening his murderous thoughts to a damned soul. He says that if it were sure that King Duncan’s death would have no dire consequences, Macbeth would gladly “jump” (cross) the river (Styx) for the “life to come” (hell) in return for mortal pleasure.
“…his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued…”
--Act 1, Scene 7, Lines 18-20: Macbeth to himself about King Duncan
By comparing King Duncan’s virtues to “angels,” Shakespeare implies that Macbeth has no virtues at all.
“The sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil.”
Theme Analysis
One of the most important themes in Macbeth involves the witches’ statement in Act 1, Scene1 that “fair is foul and foul is fair.” (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10) This phrase aptly describes the macabre status quo within the character Macbeth and without. When Macbeth and Banquo first see the weird sisters, Banquo is horrified by their hideous appearances. Conversely, Macbeth immediately began to converse with these universally known evil creatures. After hearing their prophecies, one can say that Macbeth considered the witches to be “fair” when in reality their intentions were quite “foul.” Macbeth’s possession of the titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland came by foul means. Macbeth became the Thane of Glamis by his father Sinel’s death; he became Thane of Cawdor when the former namesake was executed for treason; and he was ordained King of Scotland after murdering the venerable Duncan. Thus, Macbeth has a rather ghastly way of advancing in life.
This theme is further verified by King Duncan’s statement “There’s no art/ To find the mind’s construction in the face…” (Act 1, Scene 4, Lines 11-12) Although Macbeth has the semblance of the amicable and dutiful host, (“fair”) he is secretly plotting Duncan’s death (“foul”). Furthermore, Lady Macbeth’s orchestration of the murder exemplifies the twisted atmosphere in Inverness. Both a woman and a host, she should be the model of grace and femininity. She is described, however, as a “fiendlike queen” (Act 5, Scene 6, Line 69) and exhibits a cold, calculating mentality. In addition, the very porter of Inverness likens the place to the dwelling of the devil Beelzebub. This implies that despite its “pleasant seat,” (Act 1, Scene 6, Line 1) Inverness is a sinister and evil place. It is also interesting to note that Macbeth is unable to say a prayer to bless himself after murdering Duncan. It is strange and “foul” that he should think of religion after committing such an unholy act. The very sanction of sleep and repose is also attacked in Macbeth. What is normally considered a refreshing and necessary human activity is “murdered” by Macbeth after he commits his heinous crime. Neither Macbeth nor his wife is able to sleep after killing Duncan. Macbeth’s lack of sleep makes him a brutal killer; Lady Macbeth begins to sleepwalk and inadvertently reveals the source of her distress through her nightly babble. In addition, Macbeth gains an almost inhuman strength and courage after his first crime. He is more courageous in crime than he has ever been in virtuous deed, which is indeed bizarre.
A second theme in Macbethis that of the tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character that the audience sympathizes with despite his/her actions that would indicate the contrary. Macbeth, in spite of his horrible murders, is a pitiable man. His saving grace is that he did not initially want to kill Duncan but later changed his mind after listening to his wife. In addition, Macbeth internally suffered because he could not enjoy his royal status. Fear, paranoia, exhaustion and sleeplessness plagued him despite his sovereignty. Lady Macbeth is also a tragic hero. Her initial courage and daring did not last long, and she quickly deteriorated into a delusional, hapless somnambulist. She broke down mentally and physically because of the strain of the crime. Macbeth and his wife are pitiable characters because the reader is able to follow their every thought and action. Thus, the reader sees not only their gruesome effects on the Scottish people but also on themselves.
Another important theme in Macbeth is that of indecision and internal conflict. Macbeth was indecisive up until the very night of the murder about whether or not he should kill Duncan. Afterwards, he was unsure of a course of action. He rashly decided to kill Banquo, visit the witches and remain confident even when his castle was besieged. Lady Macbeth’s initial lack of indecision is what brought about the pair’s downfall. Later, however, she becomes tentative about the potential benefits of Banquo’s murder. By the end of the play, she has become a delusional recluse that is almost entirely ignored by her husband.
A fourth important theme in Macbeth is the creation of an internal/external hell. This creation of a place of damnation begins when Macbeth freely converses with the sinister witches. Banquo calls the weird sisters “instruments of darkness,” (Act 1, Scene 4, Line 124) but Macbeth still decides to take their advice. At several times in the play both Macbeth and his wife invoke the night, a universal symbol of evil. Furthermore, many of the scenes in the play take place at night or in murky areas and are accompanied by the shrieks of ominous animals. Macbeth is unable to bless himself after the crime and he “murders sleep,” (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 35) one of the only positive associations with night. Thus, hallucinations, sleepwalking, disembodied voices and ghosts all pervade Inverness. One can recognize the climax of this creation of an external hell when the porter himself likens the castle to the residence of the devil. Furthermore, Macbeth is indirectly compared to Edward the King of England. Whereas Edward cures people, Macbeth kills them. In addition, Lady Macbeth commits suicide in the castle, an act considered worthy at the time of eternal damnation in hell.
This creation of an external hell also corresponds to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s internal suffering. Macbeth is never at peace—he is always delirious, enraged, brutal and paranoid. He cannot enjoy the material and mortal pleasures of being a king despite all of the sacrifice that it took on his part. Lady Macbeth’s courage and resolve quickly deteriorates and she is left as an incurable somnambulist who unconsciously tries to erase her memory of the crime. Macbeth and his wife’s unintentional creation of an external hell for Scotland is pitiable because they suffered internally as well.
One of the most important themes in Macbeth involves the witches’ statement in Act 1, Scene1 that “fair is foul and foul is fair.” (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10) This phrase aptly describes the macabre status quo within the character Macbeth and without. When Macbeth and Banquo first see the weird sisters, Banquo is horrified by their hideous appearances. Conversely, Macbeth immediately began to converse with these universally known evil creatures. After hearing their prophecies, one can say that Macbeth considered the witches to be “fair” when in reality their intentions were quite “foul.” Macbeth’s possession of the titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland came by foul means. Macbeth became the Thane of Glamis by his father Sinel’s death; he became Thane of Cawdor when the former namesake was executed for treason; and he was ordained King of Scotland after murdering the venerable Duncan. Thus, Macbeth has a rather ghastly way of advancing in life.
This theme is further verified by King Duncan’s statement “There’s no art/ To find the mind’s construction in the face…” (Act 1, Scene 4, Lines 11-12) Although Macbeth has the semblance of the amicable and dutiful host, (“fair”) he is secretly plotting Duncan’s death (“foul”). Furthermore, Lady Macbeth’s orchestration of the murder exemplifies the twisted atmosphere in Inverness. Both a woman and a host, she should be the model of grace and femininity. She is described, however, as a “fiendlike queen” (Act 5, Scene 6, Line 69) and exhibits a cold, calculating mentality. In addition, the very porter of Inverness likens the place to the dwelling of the devil Beelzebub. This implies that despite its “pleasant seat,” (Act 1, Scene 6, Line 1) Inverness is a sinister and evil place. It is also interesting to note that Macbeth is unable to say a prayer to bless himself after murdering Duncan. It is strange and “foul” that he should think of religion after committing such an unholy act. The very sanction of sleep and repose is also attacked in Macbeth. What is normally considered a refreshing and necessary human activity is “murdered” by Macbeth after he commits his heinous crime. Neither Macbeth nor his wife is able to sleep after killing Duncan. Macbeth’s lack of sleep makes him a brutal killer; Lady Macbeth begins to sleepwalk and inadvertently reveals the source of her distress through her nightly babble. In addition, Macbeth gains an almost inhuman strength and courage after his first crime. He is more courageous in crime than he has ever been in virtuous deed, which is indeed bizarre.
A second theme in Macbethis that of the tragic hero. A tragic hero is a character that the audience sympathizes with despite his/her actions that would indicate the contrary. Macbeth, in spite of his horrible murders, is a pitiable man. His saving grace is that he did not initially want to kill Duncan but later changed his mind after listening to his wife. In addition, Macbeth internally suffered because he could not enjoy his royal status. Fear, paranoia, exhaustion and sleeplessness plagued him despite his sovereignty. Lady Macbeth is also a tragic hero. Her initial courage and daring did not last long, and she quickly deteriorated into a delusional, hapless somnambulist. She broke down mentally and physically because of the strain of the crime. Macbeth and his wife are pitiable characters because the reader is able to follow their every thought and action. Thus, the reader sees not only their gruesome effects on the Scottish people but also on themselves.
Another important theme in Macbeth is that of indecision and internal conflict. Macbeth was indecisive up until the very night of the murder about whether or not he should kill Duncan. Afterwards, he was unsure of a course of action. He rashly decided to kill Banquo, visit the witches and remain confident even when his castle was besieged. Lady Macbeth’s initial lack of indecision is what brought about the pair’s downfall. Later, however, she becomes tentative about the potential benefits of Banquo’s murder. By the end of the play, she has become a delusional recluse that is almost entirely ignored by her husband.
A fourth important theme in Macbeth is the creation of an internal/external hell. This creation of a place of damnation begins when Macbeth freely converses with the sinister witches. Banquo calls the weird sisters “instruments of darkness,” (Act 1, Scene 4, Line 124) but Macbeth still decides to take their advice. At several times in the play both Macbeth and his wife invoke the night, a universal symbol of evil. Furthermore, many of the scenes in the play take place at night or in murky areas and are accompanied by the shrieks of ominous animals. Macbeth is unable to bless himself after the crime and he “murders sleep,” (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 35) one of the only positive associations with night. Thus, hallucinations, sleepwalking, disembodied voices and ghosts all pervade Inverness. One can recognize the climax of this creation of an external hell when the porter himself likens the castle to the residence of the devil. Furthermore, Macbeth is indirectly compared to Edward the King of England. Whereas Edward cures people, Macbeth kills them. In addition, Lady Macbeth commits suicide in the castle, an act considered worthy at the time of eternal damnation in hell.
This creation of an external hell also corresponds to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s internal suffering. Macbeth is never at peace—he is always delirious, enraged, brutal and paranoid. He cannot enjoy the material and mortal pleasures of being a king despite all of the sacrifice that it took on his part. Lady Macbeth’s courage and resolve quickly deteriorates and she is left as an incurable somnambulist who unconsciously tries to erase her memory of the crime. Macbeth and his wife’s unintentional creation of an external hell for Scotland is pitiable because they suffered internally as well.
الصفحة الأخيرة
Act 1, Scene 3: Now that the witches’ prophecy has been realized, they reconvene at the predetermined heath. The first witch explains to the others why she was late in coming. Angered at the impudence of a sailor’s wife in not giving her chestnuts, the first witch vows to seek revenge on the sailor, making him a sleepless, cursed man. It is important to note here that the witch (and thus Shakespeare and the audience) associates sleeplessness with an evil or cursed life. Macbeth, after killing King Duncan, can hardly sleep because of his ghastly nightmares. While the witches are talking, Macbeth and Banquo enter the area. Macbeth proclaims that he has never seen a day “so fair and foul.” (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 38) This is reminiscent of the weird sisters’ statement in Act 1, Scene 1 that “fair is foul and foul is fair.” This is a prominent theme in the play, as it beautifully expresses the macabre state of affairs within Macbeth and without. Banquo, after seeing the witches, becomes horrified by their hideous appearances.
Macbeth, however, ignores the physical aspects of the sorceresses and asks them to speak. Each witch addresses him in a different manner—one as the Thane of Glamis, the second as the Thane of Cawdor and the third as “that shalt be king hereafter.” (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 50) After hearing these strange prophecies, Macbeth remains in a sort of ecstatic stupor while Banquo asks the witches to look into his future. The weird sisters say that while Banquo himself will not be as happy or lucky as Macbeth will, he will be much more fortunate in the long run. Also, they tell him that he will beget a line of kings even though he will never be a monarch himself. Awakened from his stupor, Macbeth asks the witches how it can be possible that he will be the Thane of Cawdor, when to his knowledge, the nobleman still lives. He also asks them from whence they get their knowledge of the future. Suddenly, the weird sisters disappear into thin air, much to the surprise of Banquo and Macbeth.
Ross and Angus, sent by King Duncan, meet up with the pair at this time. Ross tells Macbeth that in return for his brave combat, Duncan bestows upon him the title of the Thane of Cawdor. Angus explains that the current Thane of Cawdor will be executed for his treachery. Both Macbeth and Banquo are stunned to realize that the witches’ first prophecy has actually come to pass. Banquo, however, tells Macbeth that oftentimes the prophecies of such evil creatures come with heavy consequences. It is important to note here that while Banquo quickly realized the truly “foul” nature of the witches, Macbeth still considered them as “fair.” While Banquo talks to Angus and Ross, Macbeth engages in profound thought. He cannot determine whether the prophecies are good or evil. If the sayings are evil, he says, then it is strange that he has achieved so much success by them already. If the predictions are good, however, then he wonders why he is so frightened by the sudden thought that has just occurred to him. Macbeth has just considered killing King Duncan in order to shorten the interim period between the present and the realization of the last prophecy. At the same time, however, Macbeth concedes that he could also just let fate run its course. Macbeth urges Banquo to carefully analyze the night’s strange incidents so that they can talk about them in detail later. The group then leaves the heath and travels towards the residence of the king.
Act 1, Scene 4: At the palace, King Duncan asks Malcolm if the Thane of Cawdor’s execution has taken place. Malcolm tells him that the nobleman repented his actions. In response, Duncan says that there is no way of determining a person’s thoughts, whether good or evil, in the physiognomy of the face. The king says that the Thane of Cawdor betrayed him although he had absolutely trusted him. This is ironic because in the same way Macbeth plots to kill Duncan albeit with a sweet and servile countenance. At this point, Macbeth enters and Duncan laments that he can never amply recompense him for all of his work. Macbeth replies that his work for the king is a reward in itself. The king also highly praises Banquo. Then, in front of the entire assembly, King Duncan proclaims his son Malcolm to be his heir to the crown. Macbeth asks to take leave of the king so that he can write a letter to his wife telling her about the turn of events in the castle. He also determines that he must kill Duncan and Malcolm if he wants to be king; in the space of a scene, his mind is firmly resolved to commit the crime