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Study Notes on Macbeth Act 1 scenes 6 and 7
Synopsis of Act 1 sc 6 :
King Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle which seems very pleasant. Lady Macbeth - without her husband - greets Duncan and they exchange pleasant courtesies. Duncan is led into the castle.
Commentary:
The scene opens with dramatic irony: the air and the castle appear delightful but, in reality, will be the site of murder. Ironically Duncan refers to Macbeth as 'Thane of Cawdor', which shows Macbeth's change of status in more ways than one! The dramatic function of this scene is to point to the theme of reality versus appearance.
Notice
- This restful scene contrasts with the dark scenes before and after it.
- Duncan's graciousness enlists the audience's sympathy and respect.
- The frequency of the words 'host' and 'guest' reminds us of Lady Macbeth's murderous plan to violate the laws of hospitality
- Irony of Duncan saying that her hospitality is done out of loyalty and this will can only be fully rewarded in the hereafter !! =hell
- Appearances can be deceptive. The emphasis in this scene is on peace, trust, tranquillity and courtesy. Lady Macbeth appears as the perfect, sophisticated hostess but we remember her advice to her husband "Look like the innocent flower But be the serpent under't"
Synopsis of Act 1 sc 7:
As his household prepares the feast for Duncan, Macbeth slips away to think things over and he decides not to murder Duncan. Isolated through guilt, he reasons that if he could get away with murder, then he would not have to worry about eternal damnation. The biggest problem is that Duncan has been such a good king that heaven itself will expose the wickedness of Macbeth. The only justification for murder is his ambition and that is not good enough. His wife enters and he announces that he will not murder Duncan. Contemptuous this change of mind, she accuses him of cowardice. She outlines a plan and he agrees to it.
Commentary Will he or won't he? Audience is kept in a state of dramatic tension and suspense..He hopes that one blow to Duncan will end the matter, but it will be followed by the illegal execution of two guards. Lady Macbeth in 1.5.23-4 said that she would "pour my spirits in thine ear" and she does just that. Her strength and purpose contrasts with Macbeth's indecision.
Notice
- Fear of consequences which are missing later in the play
- Clothing metaphor - he has been dressed in others' good opinions and now he is dressed in the cloak of ambition.
- Neither mention the witches despite the fact that it was in the letter.
- Lady Macbeth says that she would go to any lengths to succeed, even dash out the brains of a newborn infant - this is an overturn of the natural order of maternal feelings
- Macbeth's last speech is very similar to his wife's manner and this emphasises how much he is under the power of her personality. 17.79-80 echoes the speech in 1.5.where she musters her determination.
- The man of action has now become a man of doubt and words (in contrast with Act 4.1!) , endlessly worried by the consequences of what he wants, but cannot bring himself to do. More sophisticated than his wife, he fears the afterlife and the effects of his conscience.
- The first act ends with a newly resolved Macbeth, a man confident that he can kill his king and seem the perfect host, while relishing the idea of being a murderer.
- His will is weakened by speculation; her will is strengthened by a concentration on the act of killing Duncan.
Trace how Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to murder King Duncan
Fierce argument (lines 29-45) They argue face to face. Macbeth states, 'I dare do all that might become a man" but he cannot look at his wife.
Brow-beating (lines 47-59) with Macbeth moving further and further away from his wife.
Careful explanation (lines 60-72) Macbeth's final lingering doubt is concerned with the aftermath "What if we should fail?" This gives him courage.
Courage is what defines Macbeth when we first see him and on which Lady Macbeth persuades him "Courage is the power to overcome the fear of doing something that is dangerous. In this part of the scene we are made aware of the two forms of courage: the courage to do what is wrong (false courage) and the courage to do what is right (true courage). Lady Macbeth taunts her husband for lacking the courage to do what is wring. We come to see that what he lacks far more seriously is the courage to do what is right. He does not have the courage to overcome his fear of his wife and her evil taunts."
Walter Saunders, Shakespeare2000
Further commentary on Act 1 or for the full text commentary go to Rodger Burnich © 1995
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