Presentation of Disturbed minds in Macbeth
Examine the presentation of disturbed characters in Act 1 of Macbeth
We are first presented with a disturbed mind in Act 1 Scene 3, where Macbeth’s first words echo the witches - “fair is foul and foul is fair”. If we look closely at this it tells us that things are not always what they seem which can really indicate a disturbed mind because somebody could be disturbed and we couldn’t know because we as people cannot look into somebody’s mind. Another example is when Banquo makes a note on Macbeth’s reaction to the three witches – “he seems rapt with awe” this suggests that Macbeth was in a trance like state which really indicates a disturbed mind because his mind is not where it should be. It also makes us question whether the witches have awakened a hope that Macbeth had always had? Macbeth also shows a very hostile and aggressive response to the witches – “Speak, I charge you” this indicates a disturbed mind because it is in contrast to Banquo who is very calm about the witches.
Macbeth also shows a divided state of mind as he speaks aside, which is him speaking to himself which really shows us that Macbeth could have a disturbed mind because talking to yourself is not consider normal – “nothing is but what is not” he also he describes his choices as good and ill which shows a divided and disturbed mind because he is seriously considering killing Duncan. Macbeth also repeats the words good and ill. He also asks himself lots of questions to himself, which could suggest he has doubts or that he fears what could happen. This is also backed up by the language used – “unfixing hair”, “heart knock at my ribs”, “horrid image” this are all related to fear as he has doubts that he is not capable of putting his thoughts of killing Duncan into action.
Furthermore, Macbeth again aside, makes reference to light and the contrast of it with darkness. There is the imagery of nobleness versus the images of death, destruction and darkness. This shows a disturbed mind
We are first presented with a disturbed mind in Act 1 Scene 3, where Macbeth’s first words echo the witches - “fair is foul and foul is fair”. If we look closely at this it tells us that things are not always what they seem which can really indicate a disturbed mind because somebody could be disturbed and we couldn’t know because we as people cannot look into somebody’s mind. Another example is when Banquo makes a note on Macbeth’s reaction to the three witches – “he seems rapt with awe” this suggests that Macbeth was in a trance like state which really indicates a disturbed mind because his mind is not where it should be. It also makes us question whether the witches have awakened a hope that Macbeth had always had? Macbeth also shows a very hostile and aggressive response to the witches – “Speak, I charge you” this indicates a disturbed mind because it is in contrast to Banquo who is very calm about the witches.
Macbeth also shows a divided state of mind as he speaks aside, which is him speaking to himself which really shows us that Macbeth could have a disturbed mind because talking to yourself is not consider normal – “nothing is but what is not” he also he describes his choices as good and ill which shows a divided and disturbed mind because he is seriously considering killing Duncan. Macbeth also repeats the words good and ill. He also asks himself lots of questions to himself, which could suggest he has doubts or that he fears what could happen. This is also backed up by the language used – “unfixing hair”, “heart knock at my ribs”, “horrid image” this are all related to fear as he has doubts that he is not capable of putting his thoughts of killing Duncan into action.
Furthermore, Macbeth again aside, makes reference to light and the contrast of it with darkness. There is the imagery of nobleness versus the images of death, destruction and darkness. This shows a disturbed mind