. What evidence is there to suggest that Macbeth’s murder of King Duncan is the result of demonic possession or it simply the result of evil ambition?
...en about before he is actually seen or heard. It alerts the audience of Macbeth and people may start to think that he is linked to the witches as his name is said while they are speaking. The witches sayings are very confusing, for example in act 1 scene 1 the witches conclude with the line ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’. They don’t make sense and they use opposite meanings in their sentences. The opening scene establishes a tone of horror, mystery and evil, but also introduces the sense of supernatural into the play and importantly a sense that the witches are able to predict the future. The scene also creates suspense as we do not know the location of the scene, what heath the witches will meet Macbeth on and what battle the witches are talking about. It is clear from the Scene 2 (Act 1) that Macbeth is a courageous, well respected soldier and a leader of men even though Macbeth has not appeared in the play at this point. For example: Captain: For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name. Later in describing the victorious battle with Macdonald and referring to “furnished arms and new supplies of men began a fresh assault” Duncan asks: Duncan: Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo? In reply the captain reports that Macbeth (and Banqou) were scared but “Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe.” This showing Macbeth and Banquo fought twice as hard after new supplies of men for the enemy. Macbeth is already considered brave, victorious and is referred to as a Captain by King Duncan. This shows he is respected and he is a valiant man. When Ross and Angus enter, they explain about the defeat of the “that most disloyal traitor” the Thane Of Cawdor, Macdonald at the hands of “Bellona’s Bridegroom” (Goddess Of War) Macbeth: Ross: Confronted him with self comparisons, Point against point, rebellious arm ‘gainst arm, Curbing his lavish spirit. And to conclude, The victory fell on us. Duncan then announces that by killing Macdonald, Macbeth shall become Thane Of Cawdor: Duncan: Go pronounce his present death And with his former title greet Macbeth. Then Duncan shows his respect for Macbeth: Duncan: What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. The whole of Act 1 Scene 2 is devoted to creating the impression that Macbeth is a loyal, noble, brave, respected individual. The only hint of Macbeths other, more ruthless side is when the Captain describes the killing of Macdonald: Captain: For brave Macbeth Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel Which smoked with bloody execution, Like Valour’s minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave (referring to Macdonald) Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’chaps And fixed his head upon our battlements. This perhaps shows that Macbeth has another side to him. In the next scene it goes back to the witches speaking. They talk about “killing swine” and “sailing in sieves”. They say that they are angry with a lady and so shall cast a spell on her husband, who is a sailor. They say that they cannot make him drown but will make his boat be thrown about in a storm. This shows that the witches are not powerful enough to kill someone but that they do have powers. In Shakespeare’s time most people believed witches could do these things. Hundreds of thousands of women were killed and tortured in Europe because they were accused of witchcraft. They were blamed for accidents, misfortunes and disasters of all kinds. This would make the Elizabethan audience believe the witches and the things they say. This made Macbeth more realistic. Next Macbeth and Banquo enter the scene. This is the first time Macbeth and Banquo feature. Macbeths opening lines are: Macbeth: So foul and fair a day I have not seen. There are two very important points about this sentence. First of all it is Macbeths opening words and so it introduces him into the play and people get their first opinion of him. Secondly the words “foul and fair” are the same as the what witches say at the end of the opening scene. This automatically links Macbeth to the witches, so peoples first impression of him is that he is like the witches and could be evil. People could also believe that Macbeth is a witch as his words echo theirs. Banquo then speaks. He asks what kind of people the witches are as he does not no. Macbeth also asks “What are you?” The witches reply: First Witch: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane Of Glamis. Second Witch: All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane Of Cawdor. Third Witch: All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter. This is the witches prediction of Macbeth. Macbeth and Banquo are confused and do not understand. Banquo a...