Reading journal for act one of Macbeth

Act one

• pathetic fallacy - instant gothic feature - sets the tone of the play
• witches speak in rhyme, plotting - context: threat of women - threat of magic - we can see this also in faustus - and simillarly in frankenstien - a threat of knowledge
• they use paradoxes - fair is foul, lost and won
• as does macbeth - never so foul and fair a day - something not quite right - what at first may seem well will go terribly wrong - sets anxiety - another gothic feature
• eerie chanting tone
• short scene - leaves the audience with questions - witches always appear as mysterious - anxiety as they are a threat. not directly - but the audience watch them minipulate

Act two

• the captain tells the king how courageous Macbeth was at war - glorifying killing in the context of war.
• Macbeth is described as being ruthless with murder - which is portrayed in a positive but gory way - he chopped up his victims effortlessly - shows how ruthless macbeth is - but it is his job - he has been comanded and trained to be this way - this is what can allow the audience to feel a sympathy for macbeth? he is always being controlled - witches, lady macbeth
• Banqou is also described as courageous in war
• The king praises them - oh worthy gentlemen!
• The king has the traitorous thane of Cawdor put to death and the new title to be given to Macbeth - king mentions 'trust' - this will be his demise

Act three

• pathetic fallacy again as the witches enter - the audience know they are entering - which builds anxiety
• they begin by talking about skilling swine and planning revenge - they are as ruthless as men at war - can the audience make comparisons? it could be played this way.

• eerie chanting tone again - spells - metaphysics (faustus) - was seen as a threat to society
• a drum beats and the third witch claims Macbeth is coming
• Banquo and Macbeth enter and are curious as to who and what the witches are
• The witches hail Macbeth and Banquo, they tell Macbeth firstly he is thane of cawdor (before he has found out) then that he will become king and then they tell Banquo his children will become kings.
• Macbeth is intrigued asking them to speak more - the witches play with his pride
• the witches speak in riddles and paradoxes leaving macbeth and banquo confused yet intereasted
• Banquo tells them they have beards - how would he say this - as a joke?
• the witches vanish
• Macbeth and Banquo discuss the encounter focusing on the details of the prophecy
• They are disturbed by Ross and Angus who come as messengers to the king to tell Macbeth that he has been given the title Thane of Cawdor
• Macbeth and Banquo are amazed that the prophecy has come true and ponder on wether the other prophecies the witches proclaimed will also become true
• Macbeth whispers to Banquo that they shall speak privately and Banquo agrees - plotting? 

Act four

• reports of the execution of Cawdor come to the king from his son Malcolm
• Macbeth, Banquo, Ross and Angus enter
• The king thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their heroism
• Macbeth and Banquo tell the king of their loyalty to him
• King Duncan announces his plan to make Malcolm next heir to the throne
• Macbeth notes that this will get in his way
• Plans are made for the King to dine at Macbeths castle and Macbeth goes to inform Lady Macbeth

Act five

• scene opens with lady Macbeth reading a letter sent from Macbeth telling her of his new title and his encounter with the three witches.
• she thinks that Macbeth wants to be king but is too kind to take the steps to become king - she will encourage him.
• A messenger comes to tell lady macbeth that the king is coming to the castle
• Macbeths arrives and she and him discuss the arrival of the king 
• Lady Macbeth begins to plot - she is quick to plot - the audience share their secret - ironic something - audience know more than the actors - which can be anxiety building

 Act six

• King Duncan and his attendants arrive at the castle 
• Duncan compliments the castles environment and thanks lady macbeth
• Lady Macbeth says it's her honour to be hospitable to him - two faced - secrets - we see lady macbeth as a good actor - able to cover up. but can macbeth?
• the King wants to see Macbeth

Act seven

• Macbeth is thinking about assassinating Duncan
• He worries about the consequences
• He consideres not killing the king
• Lady Macbeth enters and when he says he doesn't want to kill the king she calls him a coward - contrast to how he has been described - plays with his pride. - macbeth is easily manipulated
• Lady Macbeth encourages him to proceed with the murder - comanding him