Act I
1. What are Macbeth’s phases of reaction to the prophecies?
The witches prophecy is arguably the most important component in the entire play; not only do they foreshadow the events to come, they also motivate Macbeth to go further and further to accomplish his final goal of absolute power. Upon hearing that he is thane of Glamis and shall become the thane of Cawdor and the future King, Macbeth is surprised as he is merely thane of Glamis. Banquo describes his reaction in the following lines ”Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair?” (1.3.51-52).
However in the following scene Ross and Angus relay the Kings gratitude towards Macbeth for his bravery in battle; Ross then tells Macbeth that he is officially …show more content…
Everyone seems shocked and surprised by the kings murder however Malcolm and Donalbain seem unfazed and have little to say as described in the following lines “(aside to DONALBAIN ) Why do we hold our tongues,That most may claim this argument for ours?” (2.3.99-101). Because they do not comment on their father’s assassination, it would lead others to believe that they are to blame for his bloodshed. One would think that due to the fact that they were one of the closes people to Duncan, they would feel great sadness and they would be vocal about it, however they say nothing.
Considering the fact that Malcolm and Donalbain are both connected to the king by blood, others might want to kill them as well to gain control over England. They feel threatened as described in the following lines “(aside to MALCOLM) What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole, may rush and seize us? Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed.” (2.3.101-104). They do not want to stay in the vicinity of the castle contingent upon the possibility of them being killed as well for the crown. They part on their separate ways to be safer; Donalbain departed to Ireland while Malcolm left for
1. What are Macbeth’s phases of reaction to the prophecies?
The witches prophecy is arguably the most important component in the entire play; not only do they foreshadow the events to come, they also motivate Macbeth to go further and further to accomplish his final goal of absolute power. Upon hearing that he is thane of Glamis and shall become the thane of Cawdor and the future King, Macbeth is surprised as he is merely thane of Glamis. Banquo describes his reaction in the following lines ”Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair?” (1.3.51-52).
However in the following scene Ross and Angus relay the Kings gratitude towards Macbeth for his bravery in battle; Ross then tells Macbeth that he is officially …show more content…
Everyone seems shocked and surprised by the kings murder however Malcolm and Donalbain seem unfazed and have little to say as described in the following lines “(aside to DONALBAIN ) Why do we hold our tongues,That most may claim this argument for ours?” (2.3.99-101). Because they do not comment on their father’s assassination, it would lead others to believe that they are to blame for his bloodshed. One would think that due to the fact that they were one of the closes people to Duncan, they would feel great sadness and they would be vocal about it, however they say nothing.
Considering the fact that Malcolm and Donalbain are both connected to the king by blood, others might want to kill them as well to gain control over England. They feel threatened as described in the following lines “(aside to MALCOLM) What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole, may rush and seize us? Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed.” (2.3.101-104). They do not want to stay in the vicinity of the castle contingent upon the possibility of them being killed as well for the crown. They part on their separate ways to be safer; Donalbain departed to Ireland while Malcolm left for