In Macbeth, how is Macbeth characterized at the start of the play?

At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a valiant, loyal soldier, who courageously risks his life on the battlefield to lead Scotland's troops to victory. In act 1, scene 2, the Captain elaborates on Macbeth's fearless performance in battle by saying,

"But all’s too weak, For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, 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 unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements." (1.2.15-23)

King Duncan is impressed with Macbeth and refers to him as a "valiant cousin" and "worthy gentleman." Ross then enters the scene and gives King Duncan an account of how Macbeth defeated the King of Norway and the former Thane of Cawdor. However, Macbeth's ambition is revealed after hearing the prophecies and learning that King Duncan has given him the title Thane of Cawdor. Despite Macbeth's ambitious nature, he is portrayed as a relatively loyal, courageous soldier, who is worthy of earning the title Thane of Cawdor at the beginning of the play. As the play progresses, Macbeth's wife convinces him to assassinate King Duncan, which changes Macbeth's life for the worse and leads to more bloodshed and turmoil. 

In Macbeth, how is Macbeth characterized at the start of the play?

When Macbeth starts, there is a terrible storm and the audience wonders what may be in store. The witches present the first scene and it is apparent that the storm foreshadows far worse to come; in fact, the witches chant "fair is foul and foul is fair" in Act I, scene i (line 10). After the witches disappear, and before meeting Macbeth, the audience learns from Duncan and his men that Macbeth is "brave" and "worthy."

When Macbeth enters, his first comment is that he has not seen "so foul and fair a day" (I.iii.38) meaning that the weather is appalling but at least he and Banquo have had success on the battlefield. The two men are bemused by the witches who reappear, especially when they talk of the likelihood that Macbeth will be awarded the title of Thane of Cawdor and even go as far as to say that he will be king.

It is apparent that Macbeth is unsettled by the witches' talk and it is not long before the very title that the witches spoke of (Thane of Cawdor) is presented to a shocked Macbeth who immediately believes that there may be truth in the witches' words and he may be king after all, although Banquo does warn him not to put too much store in the promises and claims of the "instruments of darkness (124). So, Macbeth's transformation from decorated and valiant soldier has already started and his "earnest of success" (132) creates an internal conflict which starts to eat away at his very soul.  

In Macbeth, how is Macbeth characterized at the start of the play?

At the beginning of the play Macbeth has won recognition for his bravery in battle and his defeat of the King of Norway and the rebellious Macdonwald. He is described as brave and fearless, and he is yet to become ambition. In fact, when the witches first give him his prophesy he is confused rather than extatic. THis of course quickly change as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become more and more ambitious, power being their ultimate goal.

In Macbeth, how is Macbeth characterized at the start of the play?

Macbeth is a hero at the beginning of the play.  He fought so bravely that King Duncan awarded him the title of Thane of Cawdor after the former Cawdor proved to be disloyal.  The men talked of how well Macbeth performed to the king, which is why he gave him the new title. 

In Act I, scene 2 the Captain says "For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, like valor's minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave; which neve'r shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements."

The King calls Macbeth a "valiant cousin!  Worthy gentleman!" Because of this, we see him in the same light.  We don't see any ambition or vengeance in him at all.  He is just a great fighter who sacrificed himself for his king and country.

How is Macbeth positively portrayed at the start of the play?

Macbeth is portrayed as a valiant, honorable Scottish noble at the beginning of the play. The first description we get of the play's title character is given by a sergeant to King Duncan. The sergeant describes a rebellion by Macdonwald, a rebellious nobleman who apparently seeks to overthrow Duncan. Macbeth, a Scottish thane (nobleman), fights his way through the rebel army before slashing Macdonwald "from the nave to the chaps" with his sword and decapitating him. Of course modern readers might be shocked by the violence of this act (which, it might be argued, foreshadows some of the violent deeds Macbeth commits later, in addition to his own demise at the hands of Macduff) but Duncan is impressed by the bravery and loyalty of his kinsman. He calls him a "valiant cousin" and "noble kinsman." Macbeth then leads his forces against an attempted invasion by a "Norweyan lord," again emerging victorious. So Macbeth is respected, even viewed as a hero, by the King and by his peers. This positive portrayal of the man early in the play makes his descent into murder and treachery all the more dramatic.