Class notes Act1 Scenes 1 and 2

Macbeth

• Set in Scotland
• Set in the Jacobean times
• Structure – We do not meet him until Act 1 Scene 3
• Shakespeare begins his play using pathetic fallacy, the thunder and lightning foreshadows that negative events will take place.
• Witches begin the play – element of supernatural is introduced immediately (What was the role of the supernatural in Jacobean times and to a Shakespeare audience)
• Witches name Macbeth - therefore associating Macbeth with the witches/ supernatural and evil.
• Act 1 Scene 2 – “bleeding Captain” – associations with death/ injury etc. Creates a negative atmosphere before we meet Duncan. (foreshadow?). Present continous
• “brave”
• “his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution” third use of the root word blood, plosive, metaphor – incredible soldier respected by audience.  Macbeth is being presented as stereotypical hero.
• Theme of extreme violence
• Thane of Cawdor lost in the battle and was disloyal – and so Duncan ordered him to be killed.  Macbeth receives his title.