The Importance Of Act 1 Scene 3 In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

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Today, let’s continue rehearsing Act 1 Scene 3 in Macbeth. This is an important scene dramatically, as it creates an atmosphere of mystery, superstition and evil. We begin with the witches casting a spell, and Macbeth and Banquo enter into the frenzy. The witches and the audience meet Macbeth for the first time, and the prophecies will influence his actions, through his growing ambition and lead to his fatal downfall. He was introduced as brave and noble in the previous two scenes, now we see the dark side of Macbeth.

The witches, who are associated with the supernatural, mysterious world, which was established in the first scene, now reappear. When we perform the play, the stage will be black, and you ‘three weird sisters’ will dress in black, so that the audience will immediately link you to evil. As you tell Macbeth that he will be “Thane of Glamis”, “Thane of Cawdor” and even “king hereafter”, your movements, when kneeling before Macbeth and pointing your long fingers at him, should create an eerie atmosphere. Your predictions to Macbeth will …show more content…

When you first hear that you are going to be king, I want you to show your bewilderment, as you ask the witches to “stay”, you must show surprise and fear, ignoring your companions. In your ‘aside’, you must reveal your deepest thoughts in a fast-speaking pace, when you state “the greatest is behind”, after you learn that you are to be promoted to the Thane of Cawdor. I want you to grip your sword tightly, to convey your hidden desire. You ignore Banquo’s warning, when he tells you: “to win us to our harm, / The instruments of Darkness tell us truths”. Banquo, I want you to adopt a worried expression and a warning tone, to alert Macbeth about the dangers ahead. Dramatic irony foregrounds what will happen to you, Macbeth and you should show that, at this point, you are not concerned with the

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