Macbeth Group

Question:

deepa69
deepa69
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In Macbeth, how is Macbeth described in Act I, Scene ii, with whom is he associated, and how does the scene foreshadow events to come?

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Posted by deepa69 on Sunday March 8, 2009 at 11:03 PM and tagged with act i, character description, foreshadowing, literature, macbeth.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Before Macbeth appears on stage, one of Duncan's officers details the recent battle between Duncan's forces and the King of Norway, supported by the Scottish traitor Macdonwald. According to this captain, Macbeth fought furiously for King Duncan, displaying extraordinary strength and courage. Despite overwhelming odds and in spite of grave danger to himself, Macbeth fought his way through the enemy, found Macdonwald, and "unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, / And fixed his head upon our battlements. Macbeth then redoubled his efforts when Norway mounted a new attack with fresh troops, beating back that enemy, as well.

    In his account of the battle, the captain includes Banquo in his narrative, as Macbeth and Banquo have fought valiantly together. King Duncan asks if Macbeth and Banquo were "dismayed" by the second attack by Norway's forces. The captain says they were, "As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion." Thus, Macbeth and Banquo are both associated with overwhelming strength and superiority.

    The captain continues his description of the battle, commenting upon its ferocity: "Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, / Or memorize another Golgotha, I cannot tell--" His image of the bloody slaughter of battle foreshadows the blood that will be spilled as the result of Macbeth's lust for power.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-i-summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/macbeth-character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/themes

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    Posted by mshurn on Monday March 9, 2009 at 12:15 AM