#Act 1 scene 1 macbeth annotations professional#

This contrast between what is uncertain and what is certain, or between what is confused and what is ordered or ordained by Fate, is one of the crucial structural components in the writing of this play, and it is clear that Shakespeare wants us to see it.īanquo's reaction to this peculiar prophecy is understandable rather than an example of professional rivalry. No such ambiguity occurs in the response of the Witches to Macbeth: He is Thane of Glamis, he is Thane of Cawdor, and he shall be King. Later in the scene, Macbeth remarks that the Witches 'seem'd corporal ' and yet they vanish like bubbles 'into the air.' Macbeth's first words ('So foul and fair a day I have not seen') ironically recall the Witches' 'foul is fair' in Scene 1, but Banquo is the first to spot the weird sisters, remarking on the Witches' ambiguous and confused appearance: They 'look not like the inhabitants of the earth, / And yet are on it' they seem to understand him, and yet he cannot be sure they 'should be women,' and yet they are bearded.

Famously, Macbeth later believes that, in murdering Duncan, he 'has murder'd sleep,' and both he and Lady Macbeth are denied 'Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care.' Finally, the metaphor of a storm at sea is traditionally used to refer to confusion and the unpredictability of events. The sailor is the captain of a ship, in the same way that Macbeth is to become 'captain' of his land like the sailor, Macbeth will be blown by the tempests of ill Fortune. The opening of Scene 3 does more than to simply recall us to the world of the supernatural of Act I, Scene 1: The Witches' curse of the sailor foreshadows what Fate has in store for Macbeth.

The Witches' first prophecy has come true. Ross and Angus arrive on the scene to confirm what we already know, that Macbeth is to be invested with the thaneship of Cawdor. Immediately, the Witches vanish into thin air, leaving the two captains in amazement. Macbeth shall be named as Thane of Cawdor and then king Banquo, although he shall not himself rule in Scotland, will be father to future generations of kings. The sisters make three prophecies, the first two regarding Macbeth and the last regarding Banquo. Having demonstrated their power by casting a terrible curse upon a sailor whose wife offended one of them, they encounter Macbeth and Banquo as the two soldiers ride from the battlefield. It also calls into question the world’s moral compass and the way people think and act in response to difficulty.With a clap of thunder, the Witches reappear. Throughout all this, Shakespeare’s language demonstrates the urgency of the wartime circumstances. King Duncan also condemns the Thane of Cawdor to execution. Second, the King takes away the Thane of Cawdor’s title and presents it to Macbeth as a reward for his valor.

Toward the end of the scene, two critical events occur: first, the Norwegians ask for a truce. Under his command, the odds favor the Scottish, who ultimately win. However, that changes under Macbeth’s leadership. Just like the first army captain, the Thane says the battle’s two sides are evenly matched. The Thane of Ross arrives to report on the ongoing battle. Macbeth creates a scene which resembles Golgotha, the place where Jesus Christ was crucified. Together, Macbeth and Banquo represent their country’s highest aspirations. Notably, the Scottish coat of arms contains lions, which symbolize bravery and strength. He likens Macbeth and Banquo, respectively, to a fearless eagle and lion of the troops. The captain goes on to describe Macbeth’s battlefield valor with flowery language. Under Macdonald, Scotland stands no chance of winning, and fortune becomes a “smiling.whore.” The onus of leadership falls upon the shoulders of the “brave Macbeth,” who brings Scotland to victory. His message is clear: Scotland is losing the war. Ultimately, the captain explains, both men die from oxygen deficiency. He describes inertia between the opposing sides, describing them as two men drowning together, each holding tightly to the other and ensuring their mutual demise. As the army captain reports to King Duncan, he employs figurative language to illustrate the unpredictable nature of the war.