How is Act 1 scene 3 dramatic for both modern and Jacobean audiences? Essay

This scene comes quite early in the play. It is the first real section of plot in the play. In the previous scenes, we have only really been given the history of the characters and are introduced to the characters. In the first scene, three weird sisters or witches are holding a meeting. They arrange where their next meeting will be held. FIRST WITCH Where the place? SECOND WITCH Upon the Heath. THIRD WITCH There to meet with Macbeth This creates suspense, as we know that Macbeth is an important character as he is the title role, but we do not know why he would want to meet with the witches or why the witches would want to meet with him. This scene makes this scene more dramatic. The fact that the scene opens with the witches suggests that they will be important later on and so when we see them again the audience assumes that something exciting is going to happen. William Shakespeare uses to create drama. This scene has many different interpretations and could be staged in many different ways. In the RSC production of Macbeth (1978), starring Judy Dench and Ian McKellen, this scene is staged with the witches all close together, writhing on the ground. They are dressed from head to toe in black rags and shawls cover their faces. When the shawls are removed, we can see that they are hideous. Their faces frighten the audience, adding to the drama. The third witch is portrayed as the most powerful witch, but also he most hideous. Spit is hurled from her mouth as she talks and she seems to have no control over whether she is dribbling or not. This physically repels Macbeth and the audience and ads to the drama of the scene. Macbeth and Banquo have an air of swaggering bravado, but in an exaggerated way, as if they seek to cover their fear. The fact that we can tell that they are afraid makes us more anxious as we know that they are hardened fighters, with seemingly no fear. This scene is also in semi-darkness, which adds drama as we imagine their surroundings and we cannot really see what is happening. The Edward Hall production of Macbeth (2002), starring Sean Bean and Samantha Bond, shows the witches as beautiful women. They begin the scene with their heads covered by a shawl and are also dressed in black, but they wear beautiful satin dresses. They are positioned at the front of they stage at in the centre and at the two corners so when Macbeth and Banquo arrive on the scene, they are surrounded. This is dramatic as the audience can see that it will be hard for Macbeth and Banquo to escape if the witches attack them. In both of these productions, Macbeth’s soliloquies are said aloud as they are stage productions. This seems dramatic as it feels as if everyone else can almost hear Macbeth’s secrets, ideas, and plans. Although it is obvious that we can hear Macbeth’s thoughts in a way that the characters in the play cannot, there is still a little bit of excitement as to what would happen if his thoughts were overheard. The film version of Macbeth directed by Polanski (date), starring Jon Finch and Francesca Annis, is staged very differently to either of the stage versions. Because it is filmed, not acted Polanski is not restricted by any of the problems of a stage production. This scene is set outside in the Scottish Highlands. This is dramatic as it is more realistic. The witches vary in age and in looks. Two of the witches are very old and ugly, but the third is young and pretty. In contradiction with the RSC production, this witch is silent and does not seem to be able to speak. Shakespeare uses imagery to make this play dramatic. Shakespeare first creates an ominous atmosphere. The witches are involved in cursing a sailor. I’ll drain him dry as hay: Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his penthouse lid; He shall live a man forbid. This shows us how the witches are capable of killing a man. This adds to our fear. This can also symbolise what is in store for Macbeth’s life, which is like a turbulent sea. The sailor is captain of a ship, just as Macbeth will be King and like the captain who lost everything so Macbeth will have his downfall. It shows how Macbeth will weather the storms of life. This prepares the audience for the fact that they will be witnessing unpredictable events, and much confusion adding suspense. They rhyme of the witches’ words and metre add a chant like quality to what the witches say. I’ll drain him dry as hay: a Sleep shall neither night nor day a Hang upon his penthouse lid; b He shall live a man forbid. b Shakespeare gives the witches an unstructured metre, different to the strict iambic pentameter of the other characters, to make them seem different, almost supernatural. This also refers to a traditional belief that witches spells are chanted. Shakespeare also uses alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme to add drama. Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, And thrice again, to make up nine. The alliteration of thrice and thine and the assonance of the -ine sound add to the supernatural feeling. Shakespeare also gives the witches single syllables meaning each word sounds heavy. This supports the heaviness of what the witches are planning. The witches also stress the number three. They repeat it three times. In our culture the number three, has always held an importance and some kind of magic. When Macbeth and Banquo enter, Macbeth says ‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’. This reminds us of the first scene where the witches chanted, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’. This serves as a reminder that the witches are hidden in wait for Macbeth and Banquo and reminds us that they wish to meet Macbeth, adding suspense. The witches speak in riddles to Macbeth and Banquo. FIRST WITCH Lesser than Macbeth and greater. SECOND WITCH Not so happy and yet much happier. THIRD WITCH Thou shall get kings, though thou be none.