Macbeth

A detailed Summary of Macbeth

The opening scene of the three witches at the end of the meeting, just as they are making an appointment to meet again this time with Macbeth. "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightening, or in rain?" is dramatic these are the opening lines of the play which immediately draws the audience's attention to the presence of the super natural. The witches in this, opening scene, set the mood of the piece. The audience is prepared for a dark, mysterious and dangerous play, in which the theme of evil is central.

Shakespeare's use of language is partially captivating cryptic although the lines he gives to the witches are brief and few, which adds to the tension and excitement. The witches seem to chant as they speak in rhyme with short seven or eight syllable lines. Their speech of meeting Macbeth "When the hurly burley's done when the battles lost and won." Informs the audience that the play involves turmoil. Macbeth will win the battle on the battlefield, but will lose the battle for his soul. They speak of "fog and filthy air" creating a bleak and mystical atmosphere.

The opening scene serves to awaken the curiosity of the audience but not to satisfy it.

Shakespeare gives few directions throughout the play, which allo

Polanski does not give his witches "beards" and omits the lines spoken by Banquo "you should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so". However, Polanski's interpretation of showing the confusion about their gender is made by the youngest and most feminine which is an abusive gesture lifts up her skirt to briefly flash male genitalia at Macbeth before disappearing into an under ground haven. It is so brief that the audience is left shocked and confused, mirroring the feelings of Macbeth wondering if their eyes have deceived them as it is such an unnatural sight. Are the audience "seeing things" as Macbeth is destined to? The paradox of "fair is foul, and foul is fair" will be a recurring theme through out the play. These words spoken by the witches are put into Macbeth's mouth as he says "so foul and fair a day I have not seen," just as he is about to meet the witches for the first time. Following the "prophetic" meeting Macbeth and Banquo are left wondering if they have "eaten on the insane root" that takes the reason prisoner. Polanski chooses to emphasize this theme of madness by ending the scene at this point by having Macbeth and Banquo's ride off excitedly and widely into the distance laughing almost hysterically.

ws directors scope for individual interpretation.

Polanski's portrayal of the witches in act one scene one and scene three is powerful, realistic and captivating. The scene is set for the story to unfold. The audience, as is Macbeth, is gripped and held from the outset and sent on a Journey over whom they have no control, the outcome

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Approximate Word count = 1073
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English