Act 1, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis

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Act 1, Scene 2

At a military camp near Forres, Duncan, the king of Scotland, assesses the aftermath of a violent battle against a rebellion led by the traitorous Macdonwald. Among his loyal commanders is his cousin, Macbeth, who played a crucial role in securing the victory. Duncan’s son, Malcolm, notices a wounded soldier and asks him to recount the battle’s details. The soldier, who bravely protected Malcolm in combat, describes the ferocity of Macdonwald’s forces but praises Macbeth’s unmatched valor. Macbeth slashed his way through enemy troops with relentless determination until he confronted Macdonwald himself, whom he gruesomely killed by ripping open his stomach and beheading him. Macbeth then placed the severed head on the battlements as a grim reminder of the fate awaiting traitors.

However, before the Scottish forces could rest, the king of Norway launched an assault on Scotland, seizing the opportunity created by the recent turmoil. Concerned, Duncan inquires about Macbeth’s and Banquo’s response, but the captain assures him that their courage only intensified, with both generals “redoubling strokes upon the foe.” Exhausted from recounting the battle, the captain is carried off for medical attention. Shortly after, the thane of Ross arrives with further news: Norway’s king had been joined by one of Duncan’s own lords, the thane of Cawdor, in his treachery. Following a hard-fought battle, the Scottish forces prevailed, securing victory. Duncan condemns the thane of Cawdor to death for his betrayal and rewards Macbeth’s bravery by bestowing upon him the thane’s title and lands. He instructs Ross to deliver the message to Macbeth.

Analysis

This scene heightens Macbeth’s prominence in the eyes of the audience, painting him as a fearless and ruthless warrior. Through the captain’s vivid recounting, Macbeth emerges as a hero with almost superhuman prowess, suggesting he is a man of raw strength and unyielding determination. He is depicted not as a calculating strategist but as a relentless fighter, one who leads by his actions in the heat of battle, carving a bloody path to victory. This image establishes Macbeth as a celebrated figure, admired by his peers and king alike.

Furthermore, this scene also subtly foreshadows Macbeth’s tragic trajectory. The same qualities that earn him honor—his physical power and willingness to kill without hesitation—are the very traits that will ultimately contribute to his downfall. The king’s hasty reward to Macbeth, conferring upon him the title of thane of Cawdor, signifies the king’s confidence and trust in him. Yet this reward, given in response to Macbeth’s acts of violence, hints at a larger theme in the play: the dangerous allure of power and the potential consequences of valor untempered by moral restraint.

In addition, the betrayal by the original thane of Cawdor adds a layer of irony. As Duncan bestows this title on Macbeth, neither he nor the audience is aware of the dark irony that Macbeth, too, will eventually betray the king. This dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the characters, deepens the tension and foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold as the play progresses.

Expert Q&A

What is the meaning of the couplets at the end of Act 1, Scene 2 in Macbeth?

"Go pronounce his present death,

And with his former title greet Macbeth"

"I'll see it done."

"What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won."

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Here we see King Duncan interacting with one of the other distinguished noblemen of his court.  He has declared that one of his noblemen, the Thane of Cawdor, has been deemed a traitor and will suffer the punishment of death for his crimes.  He also declares that Macbeth will receive this title due to his distinction in battle (in warding off two approaching armies!).  Simultaneously, Macbeth receives a prophesy from the three witches in the woods and is apprehensive in believing what they tell him (that he will be Thane of Cawdor first and subsequently King of Scotland).  The nobleman announcing to Macbeth that he has become the Thane of Cawdor is the moment in the play that sets off a domino effect causing all of the other events which occur later.  For example, because Macbeth learns that he will be Thane of Cawdor he also believes that the prophesy about becoming king is true as well.  Further, he goes through plotting and killing in order to attain the title of King due to the first prophesy coming true and leading him to believe that this order of events is in fact preordained to occur.  Moreover, this rise in rank and corresponding prophesy are enough to encourage Lady Macbeth to begin her own plotting and prepare Macbeth to murder Duncan.  This sequence of events serves to cause a cascade of events leading to Macbeth's downfall.  This particular moment is what many believe brings into question the idea that Macbeth controls his own destiny.  Between the prophesy that spurs Macbeth to kill in cold blood and the manipulation from his wife, Macbeth's thirst for ambition cannot be squelched by his conscience.  

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On the way back from battle, the King is ordering the death of one of his men (a traitor), the Thane of Cawdor.  His title will now go to Macbeth who fought so valiantly in the battle against Norway.  Macbeth has impressed the King and is now one step closer to becoming King himself--as the witches predicted.  However, in this scene, the reader sees how Macbeth's second prophesy has come true while Macbeth has not yet been informed.  This is dramatic irony, and it will lead to Macbeth's ambitious plan to take over.

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In Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth, who or what are the two entities in the sergeant's described battle?

In this scene, Shakespeare reveals antecedent action involving Macbeth, Banquo, and the traitorous Macdonwald. In the passage, the term "sergeant" refers generally to an officer rather thana specific military rank. Througout the scene, Shakespeare refers to this officer as "Captain," which is a source of confusion for some readers.

The battle has occurred between King Duncan's forces and the armies of the King of Norway that have attacked Scotland. Macdonwald has joined forces against Duncan, bringing to the battle soldiers from Scotland's "Western Isles" as well as other soldiers. According to the captain, Macbeth fought his way through Macdonwald's forces until he faced Macdonwald himself and "unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, / And fixed his head upon our battlements."The captain continues that the king of Norway then mounted another ferocious attack, but that Macbeth, along with Banquo, "doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe," winning the battle.

A short time later, the Thane of Cawdor, another traitor, is captured and executed at King Duncan's order. Duncan rewards Macbeth for his courage and loyalty by giving him Cawdor's title and lands.

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It's a war that Scotland (the country in which "Macbeth" is set, and of which Duncan is the king) is fighting against Norway. The battle is being fought in Fife, in Scotland, as the following speech of Ross' from Act 1, Scene 2 makes clear (I've highlighted the relevant bits for you!):

From Fife, great King,
Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky
And fan our people cold.
Norway himself, with terrible numbers,
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor
The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict,
Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,
Confronted him with self-comparisons,
Point against point rebellious, arm ’gainst arm,
Curbing his lavish spirit; and, to conclude,
The victory fell on us.

The battle is won thanks to the bravery of Macbeth and Banquo, though it was nearly lost because a traitor, the Thane of Cawdor, pretended to be on the Scottish side but was actually on the Norwegian side. The Thane of Cawdor gets caught and executed - and his title, as we know, gets given as a reward to Macbeth.

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Describe the battle Macbeth fights in act 1, scene 2.

Quick answer:

In Act 1, Scene 2, Macbeth fights bravely and successfully against Macdonwald and the Norwegian king's forces. The Captain describes how Macbeth cut through enemy soldiers, killed Macdonwald by slicing him from the stomach to the jaw, and displayed his head on the castle walls. Despite a subsequent assault by the King of Norway, Macbeth and Banquo fought valiantly and secured victory, demonstrating Macbeth's bravery and determination.

Macbeth is a brave and successful warrior as explained to Duncan by the Captain in Act 1, sc. 2.  The Captain tells Duncan that Macbeth fought through the enemy soldiers until he came to Macdonwald himself.  Then Macbeth killed Macdonwald, cutting him from the navel (belly button) to his chin.  After that, Macbeth cut off his enemy's head and put the head on their battlements (essentially, a tall sharpened stick stuck into the ground).  The fighting wasn't over yet, though.  The Captain tells Duncan that the King of Norway then began an assault with fresh men and supplies.  Macbeth was not daunted, however.  Macbeth and Banquo both fought the enemy.  Ross then tells Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor assisted the King of Norway in battle against Scotland, but Macbeth and Banquo persevered and won.  It is clear that Macbeth is brave, determined, and blood-thirsty in battle.  These qualities are seen later when he has becomes determined to hold onto his crown, especially in Act 5.

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Which two metaphors in act 1, scene 2 of Macbeth are especially effective, and why?

Quick answer:

The bleeding sergeant uses a metaphor when he compares Macbeth cutting the traitor Macdonwald in half to unseaming a garment. The sergeant also uses a metaphor when he compares the amount of blood Macbeth and Banquo are shedding to filling a bathtub with "reeking wounds." Both are especially effective metaphors because they emphasize the violence and bloodshed of the battle. Excessive violence and bloodshed will remain a theme throughout the play.

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Having described "the merciless Macdonwald" as swarming with villanies, as though villanies were insects, the sergeant says:

And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,
Show'd like a rebel's whore...

It is a common device to personify Fortune as a woman and a goddess, but here her fickleness is emphasized by calling her a whore. She is a woman who does not care who enjoys her favors, and now bestows them upon a rebel. The fact that she favors a traitor, and smiles on Macdonwald rather than Macbeth, makes the latter's feat all the more impressive. Macbeth's valor is so great that he does not even need Fortune on his side. Given that he is later to blame supernatural agents for his downfall, his disregard of fortune here is striking.

Macbeth then shows his disdain for fortune by carving out a passage through the other soldiers to Macdonwald, using a sword which "smoked with bloody execution." This is a complex metaphor packed into a few words. Macbeth's sword may, in fact, be steaming with hot blood. Perhaps the steam looks like smoke, giving him and his sword the appearance of diabolic energy. However, the smoke, which seems hellish, particularly coupled with the dark red of the blood, is balanced by the idea of justice implied by the word "execution." This is the same word used for the formal, judicial killing of the Thane of Cawdor by Duncan later in the same Act. Macbeth is not merely killing his opponents: he is executing the king's enemies. This reinforces the overall image of Macbeth in the sergeant's speech, employing furious violence in a righteous cause.

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In an exceptionally vivid metaphor, the bleeding sergeant, who has come straight from the battlefield, describes how Macbeth killed the traitor Macdonwald. The sergeant says that Macbeth fought him:

Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops

"Unseamed" means to rip a piece of clothing apart by tearing out its seams so that it falls apart. In using that as a metaphor, the sergeant compares what Macbeth has done to unseaming a garment. This is a particularly apt metaphor, first, because it paint a vivid image of Macdonwald falling into two pieces as Macbeth's sword cuts through him from his navel to his jaw. Second, since unseaming is not that difficult to do, it emphasizes how effortlessly Macbeth's sword went through his rival. Finally, it compares Macdonwald to a piece of clothing, implying the traitor was empty inside.

Later, the sergeant compares the amount of blood Macbeth and Banquo are shedding as they cut through the enemy lines to a bath. The sergeant likens their actions to people determined to gather enough water to fill a bath:

Except [as if] they meant to bathe in reeking wounds ...

This metaphor is powerful because it shows how bloody the battle is. There is also something particularly unpleasant in the idea of wanting to bath in reeking or stinking wounds. From the start, Shakespeare establishes that there is something unsavory in bloodshed, even for a good cause.

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To my mind, the very vivid account of the battle that the Captain gives to Duncan and the other Lords is only enriched by the description given and the metaphors and similes used. The Captain uses language well to convey the precarious nature of the battle and also to emphasise the boldness and strength of some of Duncan's Lords.

Firstly, note how the Captain responds to Duncan's initial question of what is happening on the battlefield:

Doubtful it stood;

As two spent swimmers, that do cling together

And choke their art.

This comparison is effective because of the way it adds a real sense of tension to the battle. Comparing the two sides to two exhausted swimmers who are clinging to each other and trying to choke the "art" of the other, he presents the battle as being evenly matched and with no sign of one side being stronger than the other. This creates tension as we wait to see what happens.

Secondly, note how the Captain describes the impact of the Norwegian attack on the Scottish forces and on Banquo and Macbeth in particular. Duncan asks if this return to the fray dismayed them:

Yes;

As sparrows eagles, or hare the lion.

If I say sooth, I must report they were

As cannons overcharg'd with double cracks;

So they

Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe...

We can imagine the mocking voice of the Captain as he delivers the first two lines, which of course emphasise the bravery and courage of Banquo and Macbeth in response to this new threat. Comparing them and their response to cannons again gives the Captain another opportunity to reinforce their skill in battle and their valour, as, undeterred by the fresh assault, they were able to return every blow with "Doubly redoubled strokes" upon the enemy.

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Why does the sergeant compare Macbeth and Banquo to sparrows and hares in Act 1, Scene 2?

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The bloody sergeant came before King Duncan to report on the battle at hand. He commended Macbeth and Banquo. When he compared their anxiety or fear of the battle, he compared Macbeth and Banquo to sparrows who are afraid of the great eagle. Also, the sergeant added a comparison of Macbeth and Banquo to a hare (a rabbit) that is afraid of the lion. Macbeth and Banquo were afraid of the army. Still, this did not stop Macbeth and Banquo. In fact the sergeant goes on to say that Macbeth and Banquo just made double their strokes with their swords. In other words, they fought doubly hard and became the heroes at the end of battle.

As sparrows are by eagles, or the hare is by the lion.
If I say truth, I must report they [Macbeth and Banquo] were as upset [afraid]
As cannons overcharged with double cracks.
So they doubly re-doubled strokes upon the enemy.
Whether they meant to bathe in fresh, bleeding wounds,
Or create another Crucifixion scene,
I cannot tell.

The sergeant used a great comparison to show the fear that Macbeth and Banquo had. He showed that Macbeth and Banquo were like sparrows fighting against a great eagle. Also, the sergeant showed a comparison of Macbeth and Banquo as a hare or rabbit fighting against a great lion. There is really no comparison. Macbeth and Banquo used sheer determination to come against a great army of soldiers. Through great effort, Macbeth and Banquo fought and won the battle. The sergeant was just reporting on their gallantry or bravery.

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Why does the Captain discuss fortune in his first speech in Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth?

In this first speech from Act I, Scene ii, fromMacbeth, the Captain or Sergeant describes the battle Macbeth has just won. He begins by saying the odds were against them because Macdonwald had many mercenaries (villainies), foot soldiers (kerns), and armed horsemen (gallowglasses). The Captain depicts a scene in which Macbeth and his soldiers were outnumbered. Thus, the odds were in Macdonwald's favor. "Fortune" can be defined as luck, chance, or some external factor affecting human affairs (such as fate, luck, chance, or the supernatural). In this battle, "fortune" applies to luck and odds. Luck and the odds were against Macbeth but he overcame those odds.

And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,
Show'd like a rebel's whore, but all's too weak;
For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,(20)
Like valor's minion carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave,
Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,
Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,
And fix'd his head upon our battlements. (I.ii.16-25)

Fortune smiled on Macdonwald, giving advantage to Macdonwald. But this advantage (fortune) was not enough and Macbeth fought his way through the soldiers and killed Macdonwald, claiming his head as a trophy. Although "fortune" pertains to chance and 'the odds' in this passage, it does suggest, in the greater context of the play, how Macbeth overcame fortune (as fate or chance) in this early battle when he was still a virtuous, loyal soldier. But when fortune (as fate in the form of suggestions of, and prodding by, the witches) encourages him to do evil, he succumbs to it. Macbeth is an honorable champion in overcoming his lack of fortune but he becomes an evil murder in submitting to the prospect of future fortune.

In other words, it is honorable to fight through adversity (lack of fortune) and it is destructive to selfishly pursue fortune.

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Who is the traitor and what happens to him in Macbeth, act 1, scene 2?

Quick answer:

The traitor in Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth is the Thane of Cawdor. He is executed for betraying King Duncan by joining forces with the Norwegian king. Following his execution, Duncan bestows the title of Thane of Cawdor upon Macbeth. This event sets the stage for Macbeth's encounter with the Three Witches, who prophesize his future rise to power.

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I entered the above answer inadvertently. The Thane of Cawdor is the traitor referred to in Act 1, Scene 2.

Norway himself, with terrible numbers,
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor,
The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict...

Duncan pronounces the sentence that will leave a vacancy for Macbeth, who has not yet encountered the Three Witches.

DUNCAN

No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive
Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth.

Then in Act 1, Scene 3 Macbeth is greeted as Thane of Cawdor by one of the witches, and later in that scene he is greeted by Ross as the Thane of Cawdor.

Malcolm is Duncan's eldest son. He became stigmatized as a traitor and a patricide after the murder of his father by Macbeth. But he was completely loyal and innocent. Macbeth found it convenient to accuse him of the murder, and he had fled for his life and was unable to defend himself. Before Duncan is assassinated, he proclaims Malcolm Prince of Cumberland, which makes him heir apparent to the Scottish throne.

At the beginning of Act 1, Scene 4 there is further reference to the condemned Thane of Cawdor. As he was being executed:

...very frankly he confessed his treasons,
Implored your Highness' pardon, and set forth
A deep repentance.

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How would you paraphrase the Captain's description of Macbeth's role in the victory in Act 1, Scene 2?

Quick answer:

The Captain describes Macbeth as a heroic and powerful warrior who decisively impacts the victory. Macbeth skillfully cuts through the enemy forces and brutally kills the villainous Macdonwald by slicing him from navel to jaw, then placing his head upon the battlements. This portrayal paints Macbeth as the personification of valor, undeterred by the opposition.

The captain who describes the battle to King Duncan speaks as though he has witnessed a superhero who makes his way through the battlefield by sheer power of will and tremendous strength.  Faced with the villainous Macdonwald, who has reinforcements come to his aid, the brave Macbeth is undeterred and uses his sword so skillfully that it is as though he becomes the personification of Valor.  Cutting his way through the enemy, Macbeth finally assaults the wicked Macdonwald and brutally slays him by cutting him from his navel to his jaws.  Then, the brutal Macbeth decapitates his enemy and places his head upon the battlements.

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Here's the passage you asked about:

Sergeant. Doubtful it stood; 
As two spent swimmers, that do cling together 
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald— 
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that 
The multiplying villanies of nature 30
Do swarm upon him—from the western isles 
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; 
And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, 
Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak: 
For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— 35
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, 
Which smoked with bloody execution, 
Like valour's minion carved out his passage 
Till he faced the slave; 
Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, 40
Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chops, 
And fix'd his head upon our battlements.

Here's a paraphrase:

Sergeant. Doubtful it stood; 
As two spent swimmers, that do cling together 
And choke their art. [The outcome of the battle was uncertain; the two armies resembled two tired swimmers clasping one another.] The merciless Macdonwald— 
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that 
The multiplying villanies of nature 30
Do swarm upon him [The rebel Macdonwald seems appropriately a rebel, since, in addition to being a rebel, nature has made him villainous in various ways] —from the western isles 
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; [Macdownwald received reinforcements of lightly and heavily armed soldiers]
And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,  [The goddess of Fortune (Fortuna) seemed about to grant victory to his evil rebellion]
Show'd like a rebel's whore: [She looked like a prostitute favoring this rebel] but all's too weak: [But ultimately Macdonwald's forces proved to be too weak]
For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— 35 [Brave Macbeth well deserves to be called "brave"]
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, [since Macbeth showed contempt for Fortune; he used his sword.]
Which smoked with bloody execution, [Macbeth used his sword so effectively that it almost seemed to smoke as he used it to kill enemies;]
Like valour's minion carved out his passage [Macbeth used his sword so skillfully that he he seemed to be the darling or favorite of a personified Valor, or Bravery; he cut his way through the enemy army]
Till he faced the slave; [until he came face-to-face with Macdonwald]
Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, 40 [Macdonwald never had a chance to take a proper leave of Macbeth]
Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chops, [because Macbeth sliced him right up the middle, from his navel to his jaws]
And fix'd his head upon our battlements. [and stuck his severed head on our fortified wall.]

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Who were the heroes in the battle of Act 1, Scene 2 in Macbeth?

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The heroes of this scene are Macbeth and Banquo. According to eyewitness reports, they acted with incredible bravery in the battle against the treacherous thane of Cawdor and the king of Norway.

Macbeth and Banquo were so fearless on the field that the Captain compares them to "eagles" and "lions," animals of considerable power and bravery. He also compares them to "cannons" loaded with extra ammunition. Moreover, the Captain wonders if they wanted to make this battlefield as memorable and significant as "Golgotha," the site of Jesus's crucifixion.

As for Macbeth, he is compared to "Bellona's bridegroom." Bellona was the Roman goddess of war, so by making this comparison, Macbeth is singled out for his bravery and skills in battle.

It is his actions against these enemies which lead Duncan to reward him with the title, thane of Cawdor. This reward, however, only serves to drive Macbeth's ambition for the crown.

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The battle in question was against the Norwegian king and his forces, led by Macdonwald. Macbeth and Banquo, both generals, led the charge against him. 

The unnamed Sergeant, being questioned about how the battle is going, tells King Duncan that Macbeth "disdains fortune"--that is, he doesn't care what fate may lie in store for him--and chopped and sliced his way through Macdonwald's men "Till he faced the slave." He had not words or respect for him, but did not stop fighting until he'd "unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps"--cut him open from the navel to the jaw--and put his head on the battlements. 

No sooner had he defeated Macdonwald than fresh men and horses arrived for the enemy. Macbeth and Banquo, despite being tired from the battle they'd just won, waded into the fray. The Sergeant reports that they were "As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they / Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe," as though they meant to die or create another Golgotha. Once again, they face their enemies without thought to their own well-being. 

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Analyze the concept of loyalty based on this quote from Macbeth, act 1, scene 2.

Till he faced the slave;

Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,

Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,

And fix'd his head upon our battlements.

Quick answer:

The quote from Macbeth, act 1, scene 2, illustrates Macbeth's loyalty to his king and country. Macbeth relentlessly fights and defeats the traitor Macdonwald, showing no mercy and ultimately killing him. His actions demonstrate his commitment to defending Scotland and King Duncan, earning him praise and the title 'thane of Cawdor.' This loyalty drives Macbeth's fierce and persistent efforts in battle.

The quote is an extract from a report to Duncan by an injured sergeant who has been involved, with Macbeth, in a conflict against the king's enemies. He is asked by Malcolm, Duncan's eldest son, to divulge information about the battle:

... Say to the king the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it.

In his report, the sergeant refers specifically to Macbeth. In the quote provided, 'the slave' is a metaphor for the traitor Macdonwald, who is also described as being without mercy. 'Slave' suggests that Macdonwald was a servant of evil, controlled by his savagery and desire for power. He was a ruthless adversary, but Macbeth faced him without any fear. The sergeant says that Macbeth did not let up in his fight against his enemy, he was relentless and pursued Macdonwald, he neither greeted nor bade him farewell.

This suggests moreover, that Macbeth had no time for pleasantries and was resolute, committed to the task at hand - destroying his king and country's adversaries. Those who challenged his beloved Scotland and his king, were to be treated with utter contempt and had to be extinguished.

Macbeth's unabating battle against Macdonwald resulted in his victory. He 'unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,' which means he cut him in two, from his navel to his jaw. Once Macbeth had executed him, he placed his head on top of the castle wall.

The description indicates Macbeth's willingness to do everything in his power to defend his country and his king. It is this loyalty that drives him and gives him the passion to fight fiercely and persistently. He is not afraid to face any risk or challenge and seems to actually relish destroying opponents to his king and country. He inspires those in battle with him and this inspiration is what eventually ensures Duncan's victory over Macdonwald, Sweno of Norway and the traitorous thane of Cawdor.

Macbeth's loyalty is clearly evidenced by his gloriously courageous actions and he therefore rightfully deserves king Duncan's grateful praise and his reward, the title, 'thane of Cawdor.' 

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Is Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth prose or verse?

Act I, Scene 2 of Macbeth is written in verse and ends with a rhyming couplet (done/won). It follows Shakespeare's usual verse style of iambic pentameter: five feet of two iambs (an iamb is comprised of two syllables, the first unstressed and the second stressed: duh DUM). However, Shakespeare employs the verse quite cleverly in this scene to help increase the dramatic tension. To do this, he uses split lines and short lines.

Notice that the first three times characters speak in the scene (Duncan, Malcolm, Captain), the last line of each character's dialogue is what we call a "split" or "shared" line. That is, one character has some of the five feet of the pentameter and the next character has the rest. On the page, it looks like this:

DUNCAN: The newest state.

MALCOLM:                         This is the sergeant
                                                                    (I.ii.3)

Duncan has two feet of the verse line, Malcolm has the final three (giving "sergeant" an extra syllable than we use today). The same thing happens at the end of Malcolm's dialogue leading into the start of the Captain's.

When you see a break in the lines like this, Shakespeare is usually telling us that the scene should move quickly -- characters are all but cutting each other off as they speak. In this scene, Duncan and Malcolm are waiting anxiously to hear news of an important battle and the Captain is eager to tell his tale. Shakespeare uses the split lines to draw our attention (and his actors' attention) to this sense of urgency.

But what about places where Shakespeare doesn't complete a full line of iambic pentameter? Interestingly, Macbeth is full of what we call "irregular" lines -- having more or fewer syllables than a normal pentameter would. [Note: some modern editors try to "correct" the text to make it more regular, so some texts may not have all of the short lines discussed here.]

Examples of short lines in this scene include line 20 ("Till he faced the slave -"), 38 ("So they"), and 42 ("I cannot tell"). When you see a short line like this, Shakespeare is indicating a breath or a pause (you could count out the missing iambs in your head to know how long to pause). Notice, too, that all these short lines belong to the Captain -- why would Shakespeare do this?

The answer comes on line 43: "But I am faint; my gashes cry for help." The Captain is speaking in choppy lines because he is hurt. Shakespeare's indicating to the actor that the Captain is struggling to get through his story, and the short lines are places for the actor to catch his breath or let the wounds start to get to him.

Finally, note the second-to-last line is also a short verse line, "I'll see it done." The Captain is gone and the speaker of this short line is Ross, who is definitely not injured. What's Shakespeare doing there?

Think about all those split lines throughout the scene, where characters were nearly talking over one another in their anticipation of desperate news. Ross has just told them the battle is over and Macbeth is victorious. Duncan shouts some last orders -- and then there is this short line, ending with the word "done".

Imagine all the characters on stage hear that word and suddenly the reality of their hard-won victory sinks in. The war is over. And for the first time since this scene began, King Duncan can take a breath. He does so, then offers one last Kingly sentiment.

That's the flow, rhythm and drama of the scene as Shakespeare intended it. Always remember, Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed -- and actors hardly rehearsed at all. If the playwright wanted his actors to do something specific, he had to indicate it somehow in the text. So, wherever you see irregularities in the verse, try to figure out what dramatic purpose they serve!

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Insights on Macbeth's courage and bravery in Act 1, Scene 2

Summary:

In Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth, Macbeth's courage and bravery are highlighted through the Captain's description of his valiant efforts in battle. Macbeth is depicted as a fearless warrior who confronts and defeats the traitorous Macdonwald. His actions earn him significant praise and the title of Thane of Cawdor, showcasing his valor and loyalty to King Duncan.

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What does Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth reveal about Macbeth's courage and skill?

Shakespeare wanted to show Macbeth in the early scenes at the height of his glory in order to make the contrast with his depraved and despondent character at the end seem all the more glaringly precipitous. The honors and praise Macbeth receives at the beginning of the play might seem overdone if it were not understood that they were intended by Shakespeare as a prelude to his downfall. All of the praise Macbeth receives early in the play is primarily intended to set him up for his tragic ruin. Shakespeare felt it was necessary to establish what an illustrious person Macbeth was before he committed his terrible murder in order to make his deterioration and death genuinely tragic. Macbeth himself says to his wife:

We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honor'd me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon.

When something bad happens to a bad man, it is not tragic, but when something bad happens to a good and distinguished man, it is essential to tragedy.

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What does Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth reveal about Macbeth's courage and skill?

We learn that Macbeth is considered brave and very accomplished as a soldier.

Despite his actions later in the play, what we learn of Macbeth early on is positive.  The accounts given of his prowess in battle are overwhelming.  He is described as a hero.   The bloody sergeant goes before King Duncan and gives an elaborate account of Macbeth’s actions in battle against the traitor Macdonwald, and how he boldly served his country even when hope seemed lost.

He describes him as “brave Macbeth” and says “well he deserves that name” and describes how, dispite all odds when the battle seemed to be against him he plowed through the soldiers with his sword held high.  With his “brandish'd steel” he smote his enemy, smoked with bloody execution” he “minion carved out his passage” until he faced his enemy and then cut him straight down the middle (Act 2, Scene 2).  The king is clearly impressed.

O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! (Act 2, Scene 2)

He is so impressed, in fact, that he immediately demands to know what became of Macbeth, and Banquo, and calls for them.  He decides to give Macbeth a promotion right then and there, to Macdonwald’s title, Thane of Cawdor.  Currently, Macbeth is only Thane of Glamis and that is a lesser title.

How did Macbeth go from being an honorable soldier to a traitor and a tyrant?  The witches certainly intervened, and his wife definitely gave him a shove.  However, the characteristics that made him successful on the battlefield—bloodlust, stubbornness, the ability to take a life—certainly did not serve him well in the ordinary world. 

For whatever reason, it is important to remember that Shakespeare takes pains to tell us that Macbeth was brave in battle, and a hero.  He tells us this to make sure that we know that he fell, and fell tragically.  He also opens the play not in the ordinary world, but in the world of the witches.  That seems to tell us something too.  They might have given him more than a shove in the direction of madness.

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What does the soldier's account in Act 1, Scene 2 reveal about Macbeth's bravery?

Often, when people conduct interviews, they are less interested in factual events and more interested in the humanity of the person they interview, how that person felt when they accomplished something, what prompted them to act how they did, and so on.  Therefore, you could consider questions you might put to Macbeth that would satisfy the kind of "human interest" aspect of an interview.

Macdonwald was formerly thought to be loyal, and he has turned traitor against the Scottish crown, an action that would likely be quite shocking to Macbeth at this early stage.  Therefore, you might ask Macbeth if he knew Macdonwald well, and if he was surprised when he learned that Macdonwald had been revealed as a traitor.  

Then, the captain continues, as soon as Macbeth had defeated Macdonwald's troops, he turns around to find fresh Norwegian troops ready to fight him.  You might ask Macbeth how he was feeling in that moment.  He must have been exhausted and yet he somehow managed to carry on.  What gave him the strength he needed to win yet another battle?

You might also ask about the relationship between Macbeth and Banquo.  They seem quite close during the early scenes of the play, and it stands to reason that they were a huge support to one another during these battles.  You might ask Macbeth to describe how important that support was.

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Act 1, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis

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