Act 1 - My Thoughts

The play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, starts out with three witches gathering together and deciding where and when is their next union. The witches decide to meet at the heath near Forres, where Macbeth has ended the major battle. The battle ends with a great victory under the command of Macbeth. The great success of the battle is well heard in Scotland and the King of Scotland, King Duncan, is impressed by Macbeth’s abilities, and so rewards Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawdor. King Duncan then sends a messenger to tell Macbeth about the news. Meanwhile, Macbeth and Banquo, heading back to Scotland after the battle, are interrupted when the witches appear abruptly in front of them. The three witches start to tell their prophecy to Macbeth and Banquo. The three witches greet Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis, and then as the Thane of Cawdor, and finally as the King of Scotland afterward. Whereas Banquo, the witches say, will not become the king; however, Banquo’s offspring will become king. Although at first Macbeth and Banquo doubt the prophecy, it starts to seem true, as shortly after seeing the witches, they receive the news that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor. The prophecy arouses Macbeth’s ambition to become King of Scotland. Macbeth takes his ambition into action, whereas Banquo does not. Macbeth writes letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, to tell her about the prophecies and the battles. Lady Macbeth plans to murder King Duncan at night when Duncan sleeps over at her palace. She calls the evil spirit to take over her so that she can be cruel when it comes to murder. “Come, you spirits  That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty” (Act I scene 5) Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to murder Duncan however, he thinks it is against his nature and he can not do such an act to someone who trusts him and treats him well. “He’s here in double trust:

 First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

 Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

 Who should against his murderer shut the door,

 Not bear the knife myself.” (Act I scene 7)

I think Shakespeare is an excellent and brilliant playwright. He had written many masterpieces before Macbeth. His works have had significant impact on English literature. I think the play, Macbeth, is a play of prophecy, ambition, and fate. In Act I, the play begins with mysterious witches meeting together and then meeting with Macbeth. This play talks a lot about prophecy, and also how Macbeth chooses to react to the prophecy with his own ambition. Moreover, it shows how Macbeth decides to attempt to control his fate throughout the play.

Reference:
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/197/2/1/macbeth_shoe_2_by_rottenvenom-d3x9oil.jpg