Foretelling the Future (Macbeth)

A detailed Summary of Foretelling the Future (Macbeth)

"Macbeth" by William Shakespeare, is a play about a man who sacrifices everything he has to become king. There were many factors that led to Macbeth degenerating from a noble warrior, to a fallen king, however I believe that, it is because Macbeth learns beforehand in Act 1, that he decides his place is upon the throne. Most of the play is foretold in Act 1, through Lady Macbeth, and of course through the witches, who reveal more to Macbeth then he ever possibly knew.

In Act 1, Scene 1, the witches are talking amongst themselves about the next time they will meet. When shall we meet again?/ In thunder, lightning, or in rain?/ When the hurly-burly's done,/ When the battle's lost and won..../there to meet Macbeth." (1, i, 1-4)Here we find out that there is a war going on, and that Macbeth shall soon stand victorious over his enemy the rebel Thane of Cawdor. It is then that the witches shall again arise, and this time confront Macbeth. However, the witches decide to stay out of direct contact with anybody until the war has come to a conclusion.

In scene 2, we learn who the war was with, and much like the witches had proclaimed Macbeth was victorious in his illustrious battle. D

uncan then proclaims that Macbeth will receive the traitor's title (Thane of Cawdor) for slaying the traitorous enemy of the king. "And with his former title greet Macbeth. / For what he hath lost, Noble Macbeth has won." (1, ii, 76-78) It is ironic that Duncan states how "Noble Macbeth" has won the title of Thane of Cawdor, when in the next Act, Macbeth sneaks into Duncan's room while he is sleeping, and murders him dis-honorably by killing him in his sleep instead of face to face. The witch's prophecy seems to be coming together piece by piece as Macbeth is the new Thane of Cawdor.

In scene 5, Lady Macbeth finds out about Macbeth's confrontation with the witches, and decides that Macbeth is not strong enough mentally, to murder the king, so she decides to come up with a plan. Here Lady Macbeth seems to be tempting fate by intervening on the witch's prophecy. "Only look up clear. / To alter favor ever is to fear. / Leave all the rest to me." (1, V, 84-86) Although the prophecy did not state how Macbeth was supposed to become king, it did not say anything about someone else helping him along the way to commit this foul deed. And apparently Lady Macbeth feels that Macbeth deserves to be king also, for she is beginning to think up a plan now, as she will meet with Duncan and his servants later in the evening.

In scene 7, Macbeth shows his remorse for the act he is about to commit and Lady Macbeth mocks him for it. He does not wish to murder his friend and trusted king, however it seems Lady Macbeth has more power over him in this scene than in any other scene in the entire play. If we should fail- / We fail? / But screw your courage to the sticking place / and we'll not fail." (1, VII, 68-71)This seems to

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Approximate Word count = 1179
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English