In what ways does Shakespeare make the opening scenes of Macbeth dramatic? Essay

The play Macbeth written by William Shakespe atomic number 18 is skilfully bodily bodily structured to engulf an hearings please by means of effective techniques in the opening scenes. These are the use of setting, char defenderisation, speech and the structure of the play. The setting is cleverly employ to give the appropriate atmosphere to the scene and plays on the 17th century expectations and assumptions of weather. The characters introduced in the opening scenes are captivating, Shakespeares use of rhyme, rhythm, repetition and communion help register this. The plays structure in the scenes and characters dialogue create an engaging and inquiring effect, helping to make the opening scenes of Macbeth captivate the audiences interest.The setting in the opening scenes is crafted to create a dramatic effect through with(predicate) the place its set in and the weather used. In act superstar, scene one, the stage directions are given as An open placeThunder and lightenin g. Enter three witches. This is quite significant, especially in the 17th century, as in those superstitious multiplication it was believed that storms were representative of and released forces of fiendish. The audience is already informed that its a spooky and eerie atmosphere and are then intrigued as to what frightening or supernatural thus fart capacity follow.A stormy setting is used prior to the witches entrance in both scene one and three, which acts as an effective prelude to a sinister and immoral mood. Act one, scene threes stage description A heath hollo is not only exploitation pathetic fallacy to set the mephistophelean and unsettled tone, exactly in like manner landscape. A heath can be describe as wasteland overgrown with shrubs, uncultivated. This uncared for and abandoned environment reflects that the witches are socially unacceptable and rejected, emphasising and reminding the audience how ill-favoured and god-awful these witches are. This provokes the aud iences curiosity as theyre render or not used to chance oning this kind of living, and shows the dramatic impact Shakespeare crafts through setting.Another technique used to maintain interest and stimulate inquisitiveness is the structure of the opening scenes. Shakespeare purposely organises the order in which the characters are introduced and limits the storyline revealed to the audience to captivate them. The first scene with the witches mentions their plans involving Macbeth. There to pit with Macbeth and as the character of Macbeth hasnt all the same made an entrance, the audience indecisively creates an image of doom around him, as his name is associated with the witches.However, scene two sets up a more assuring perception of Macbeth. The Captain praises his name and noble actions to King Duncan, For brave Macbethdisdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, this follow through scene leaves the audience assured, but having the preceding thought of Macbeth world doomed c reates curiosity in the audience. Having been introduced to two completely credit lineing personas of Macbeth, the audience wants to know whether he will turn start to continue being noble or change to being evil. In scene three Macbeth meets with the witches, as theyd predicted at the beginning of the play. They then presage Macbeths destiny as meet Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and then King, all hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of GlamisThane of Cawdorthat shalt be King hereafter In sequence, Macbeth is informed that hes now Thane of Cawdor. And for an earnest of a greater honourcall thee Thane of Cawdor.The audience is now aware that the witches predictions have been proven correct. Macbeth is also now aware of this, and a curious seed of greed has been planted into his mind. This is where he then starts brooding on thoughts of becoming King, and what he might have to do to achieve this, My thought, whose make yet is but fantastical Aside to the audience, Macbeth is ex plaining his thoughts of cleanup position Duncan, in order to be King. This creates a lot of interest amongst the audience as Macbeth was described as being a noble, respectable and courageous man prior to his soliloquy, yet now after the witches prediction has come straight, Macbeth is falling into the witches hands- favouring their other prediction of him becoming King. This order of events is effective in the way that intrigue is raised as to whether Macbeth will become King or not.Structure is not only used in the scenes, but also in the dialogue to build up an alluring and tense effect. In scene two the Captain has been delivering victorious discussion about a battle Macbeth had led to triumph. In sequel he begins whence comfort seemed to come, discomfort swells. The Captain raises Duncans expectations of defeat by using comfort and discomfort as contrasting words. Duncan now assumes an unsuccessful loss, as well as the audience, Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and B anquo? However the Captain continues to announce Macbeths second victory, As cannons overchargedstrokes upon the foe. His order of dialogue, by preparing Duncan for loss, effectively emphasises the victorious event of Macbeths second triumph in battle. So Shakespeares use of structure in scenes and dialogue contribute to making the opening scenes of Macbeth dramatic.Setting and structure in the opening scenes are used effectively to engage the audiences interest. Furthermore the characters and language Shakespeare constructs are the utmost intriguing, completing the dramatic tone in the opening scenes of Macbeth. In act one, scene one the witches dialogue is in rhyme and rhythm,When shall we three meet againIn thunder, lightening, or in rain?This gives it a sense of chanting and makes it spell-like, emphasising the supernatural characterisation of them. Another physical exercise of the witches speaking in rhyming couplets is in scene 3, But in a sieve Ill thither sail, and like a r at without a tail This habit is not only spell-like, but it also separates the witches from the other characters in the play, accentuating the fact that theyre evil and contend to the natural ways of humanity. The three witches also suck up it in turns to speak, completing and answering each others speech. This pattern and unity suggests that they act to meether like one, almost as if theyre representing an inverse of the holy trinity. This underlying image of them is significant in the way of reversing the natural order that God had originally set up- again opposing to the natural ways of humanity. This is also shown through a spell they chant together in scene one, Fair is foul, and foul is fair.They believe everything evil is good, contradicting what the society they live in believes- that everything evil is bad and sinful. Another habit of the witches speech is repetition of threes. In scene three witch 1 is discussing pickings revenge on a womans husband, as shed not given he r chestnuts, and munched, and munched, and munchedAroint thee witch,Ill do, Ill do, and Ill do. The woman tells the witch to get lost, aroint, and this angers the witch to take revenge, Ill do. To speak words or phrases in triplets really states how powerful or magical they are as in Shakespeares time the number 3, and multiples of 3, were regarded as magic numbers. The witches cite triplets and magic numbers a number of times in the opening scenes, nine times ninethrice to thine, and thrice to mine, and thrice again, to make up nine. So in addition to speaking in rhyming couplets and rhythm, Shakespeare uses societys credulity to enhance the witches dark and forbidden characterisation.In addition to these unusual ways of speaking, the witches are portrayed to be physically unappealing. Banquos first impression was cast down and confused, What are these, so withered, and so wild in their attire He describes how unseductive and degraded they appear, look not like th inhabitants o th earthLive you, or are you aught that man may question? Banquo is suggesting that they look nothing like humans, and is hesitant to ask if they are as he fears theyre evil spirits. This really exemplifies the witches characteristics to be spooky, eerie and devious. This would be more so appealing to an Elizabethan audience as theyd been sheltered and kept away from anything dark and sinful. Being able to witness these strange characters on stage would be extremely interesting. By constructing the witches to be physically unattractive enhances the intrigue, as theyre even more unfamiliar and different. This helps to capture the audiences intrigue and make the opening scenes dramatic.As well as the witches, Macbeth is set up to be a very interesting character successfully captivating the audience in the opening scenes. As discussed in the structure of the play, Macbeth is portrayed to be a very loyal, courageous and noble man. To depict these qualities, Shakespeare uses descriptive language which is very effective, especially when the Captain compares Macbeth to Macdonwald, multiplying villainies of nature do rain cats and dogs upon him Macdonwaldlike a rebels whore Using a harsh and sinful tone about Macdonwald sets up a great contrast against Macbeth, For brave Macbeth with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valours minion carved out his passageThe Captains description of Macbeth not only seems incredibly worthy compared to Macdonwald, but also mighty and potent due to using bold words such as brandished, smoked and carved. The Captain also glorifies Macbeth through the use of irony. As in the discussion on the plays structure, the Captain had prepared Duncan for bad news only to praise Macbeths second victory. He says the second attack dismayed Macbeth and Banquo as much As sparrows dismayed eagles, or the hare dismayed the lion. Macbeth is being described as an eagle or lion that prey upon the sparrows and the hare, which repr esent the King of Norway- the second opposition. Eagles and lions are very majestic animals in the animal kingdom, giving Macbeth a high authority and status. The dialogue is kept very please through different techniques.Assonance keeps the pace quick and poetic to listen to, doubly redoubled strokes upon Some of the similes used are very effective As cannons overcharged with double cracks The Captain is describing the power and conquest Macbeth has over the King of Norway, overcharged with double cracks creates a very powerful image as its described to be immoderate- more than enough. Another technique common in the characters dialogue is the use of metaphors. Again when the Captain is lauding Macbeth, he refers to him as Bellonas bridegroom. This trope instantly gives Macbeth a high status and supremacy as its referring to him as Mars, the god of war, who was wedded to Bellona. both these high praises have set up the audiences perception of Macbeth to be very valiant, and this m akes his developing characterisation to be intriguing because the audience wants to see if he can be both noble and associated with the witches.Even though Macbeths persona is portrayed to be noble, his righteous ways are mutable when the audience meets him which hooks the audience. His first words in his first entrance mimic the witches in scene one, So foul and fair a mean solar day Although Macbeth is presumably referring to the bad weather yet satisfying victories, this echo of foul and fair suggests that Macbeth is sub-consciously crossing over to the evil ways and beliefs of the witches. It could also be suggesting that even though Macbeth isnt aware, the witches are already in control of him. Either way, the echo of foul and fair underlies a connection to the witches and their evil characteristics. This possibility of Macbeth being villainous only increases after the witches prediction of him becoming thane of Cawdor comes true. Macbeth then obsesses with the idea of becomi ng King and tries to evaluate this occurrence, questioning whether the witches only let this come true to gain his trust so they can betray him.If ill, why hath it given me earnest of success,Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.Macbeth questions why these predictions might be bad if it has made him successful as a Thane. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion By suggestion, Macbeth means the thought of him killing Duncan to be King, my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical As hes in this state of confusion, it intrigues the audience to think whether Macbeth will turn evil or stay true to his virtues. In the end of his deliberation, he decides to let destiny take its place without his interference, chance will have me Kingwithout my call on the carpet This lessens the tension of the audience until noble Macbeth hears that Duncan is naming his son future King. We will establish our estate upon our eldest, Malcolm Despite Macbeth originally deciding to let destiny t ake place, he instantly sees Malcolm as an obstacle to becoming King,The Prince of Cumberland-that is a step,On which I must fall down, or else oerleap,For in my way it lies.His obsessing dreaming now makes him consciously think evil deeds.Stars hide your fires,Let not light see my black and deep desires.By referring to his thoughts as desires, its ostensibly showing that Macbeth is crossing over to the witches side- believing in what they believe. The other characters are unaware of this its only Macbeth and the audience who know. This makes the development of the play enthralling to the audience, as they want to know how the other characters fall into Macbeths other persona, his dark side. He continues his obsession, describing how awful his thoughts are.The eye wink at the hand yet let that be,Which the eye fears when it is done to see.Macbeths saying the eye, any witnesses, should be blind to what hes about to do (in thought) as, if anyones overt to what hes done theyll be in fear. Alternatively, Macbeth could be suggesting that his eyes should be blind to what his hands are doing (his actions) as if he lets both his personas clash (his noble side and evil side), hell regret what hes done. Macbeths character is so episodic, changing his beliefs and qualities from scene to scene. The language in the dialogue is so varied and interesting through assonance, irony, similes and metaphors, that the audience are immediately absorbed and inquiring.The opening scenes of Macbeth are made dramatic through a series of techniques including setting, structure, characters and language. Shakespeare effectively uses weather and landscape to create and enhance an eerie and immoral mood, mostly prior to the witches entrance. Intrigue is also stimulated through the plays structure, in both Shakespeares order of scenes and use of dialogue. Limiting the storyline revealed and purposely organising the order in which characters are introduced develop first moment and inquisiti veness amongst the audience. Overall the characters and language introduced in the opening scenes are the utmost captivating. Their characterisations are constructed through language compiling of techniques such as similes, assonance, metaphors, rhythm, rhyme and irony. All of these effectively help to make the opening scenes of Macbeth extremely enthralling, interesting and dramatic.