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Shakespeares Macbeth explores the central characters decline from a kind respectable warrior to a murdering lying "fiend", through ambition and greed.
In act 1 scene 2 Macbeth is described as "brave", "valiant" and "heroic" and everyone admires him. King Duncan and his court receive news from the wounded Captain that the battle against the traitor and the rebel MacDonwald and his army was evenly balanced until Macbeth and Banquo in acts of outstanding courage and ferocity destroyed him and his troops, like "sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion". But as this occurs , reinforcements from the King of Norway and the traitor, the Thane Of Cawdor, counterattack Macbeth and Banquo " but alls too weak; for brave Macbeth well he deserves that name". ... The Thane Of Ross arrives to report that, through the fighting spirit of Macbeth, Duncans army has won a great victory "The victory fell on us". Duncan declares that the "most disloyal traitor" the Thane Of Cawdor is to be executed which is very ironic "Go pronounce his present death" and Macbeth "O valiant cousin! ... " is to receive his title and estates as a reward "Nobel Macbeth hath won".
Although we havent yet met Macbeth, whilst the battle is primitive and bloody the Captains and Rosss descriptions emphasize an "heroic", even "epic" quality of Macbeth part of them. ... Duncan himself generously praises Macbeth, and the final epithet he gives is "noble". These quotes show that people and even the king have a very high opinion of Macbeth. ...
The three witches await Macbeth and Banquo returning from the battle. They inform Macbeth he will be Thane Of Cawdor "All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee", king of Scotland "All hail Macbeth! ... James I would have enjoyed the play Macbeth because of Macbeths decline when listening to witches. ... This suggests that Macbeth is already in tune with the way the witches think. ... However Macbeth wants to know more of this "strange intelligence", "Would they have stayed! ... This is exactly what macbeth wants to hear because it is his ambition to become king. Banquo warns Macbeth of the witches "instruments of darkness" these are prophetic words "I win us to our harm".
Approximate Word count = 1762
Approximate Pages = 7
(250 words per page double spaced)
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