Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Macbeth

 

These prophecies, two of them being very new to him, introduced Macbeth to new ideas of greatness. And, in knowing that in this time period, it was sometimes thought that the witches had the ability to reverse the natural order of things, Macbeth knew that he should be suspicious of the words of the Wëird Sisters. This scene brings into the play the idea of fate and the role with which it has in the play. One can ponder on whether Macbeth ever had a chance of doing what was right after he met with the witches, because of how strong their words were, and because of how many great things they were promising to him. After the prophecies were given to him, Macbeth had a very strong reaction to what was stated: .
             (Act 1. sc. 3 ln.147-155) .
             " If good, why do I yield to that suggestion .
             Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair .
             And make my seated heart knock at my ribs .
             Against the use of nature? Present fears .
             Are less than horrible imaginings. .
             My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, .
             Shakes so my single state of man .
             That function is smothered in surmise, .
             And nothing is but what is not."" .
             Obviously, Macbeth is not yet sure of himself as an evil man. Immediately after hearing the witches' prophecy that he will be king, Macbeth thinks that he must kill the current king, this being King Duncan, in order to take over the throne. Although he is not sure that he can follow through with this, he wants nothing more in the world than to have the amount of power and respect that he knows he will receive. Next a battle takes place. Scotland is at war. King Duncan faces not only his own rebellious kinsmen but also an invasion by King Sweno of the Norwegians. In this scene, Duncan receives an important message. The message revolves around the death of Macdonald at the hands of Macbeth. King Duncan awards Macbeth for his heroism by granting him a title which once belonged to the Thane of Cawdor, who sided with the enemy during war.


Essays Related to Macbeth