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Act 1: Scenes 1 - 3
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Shakespeare is creating the effect of suspense, anticipation, uncertainty, and mystique as he begins the play with Scene 1. These attributes are appropriate and common in any play of tragedy. The witches, creating mystery, first mention the hero's name and it indicates, or foreshadows, the hero's destruction. The beginning also sets the atmosphere of this play. The witches are villainous and vile. This is demonstrated through the use of thunder, lightning, and rain as the first scene opens. This scene has a very threatening aura to it.
As I confronted Macbeth's comments to the audience in Scene III regarding his thoughts on the words by the witches beckoning him on to greater things, indicates that Macbeth is unsure whether the prophecies are good or harmful. His comments reveal his turmoil, which I believe is the beginning of his own inner conflict. He desires to be the King, and believes that the words of Ross and Angus indicate that the prediction of the witches may come true. "He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor." (1.3.102) However, Macbeth is horrified and frightened as his hair stands on end and his heart pounds fiercely as he thinks about how he will become King. Macbeth finally decides that he does not need to do anything. "If chance will have me a king, why chance may crown me without my stir." (1.3.142)
Significance
Shakespeare shows some important commentaries in the first three scenes of the play. The audience is taught about the Macdonwald revolt and the attempt of the Norwegian invasion. Macbeth's name is also heard many times, and is connected with words including "brave", "valiant", and "worthy", demonstrating to me that he is a brave, fearless soldier, whom is loyal to his country. He is portrayed as heroic, courageous, and unafraid in the face of death.
The conversation at the beginning of Scene 3 amongst the witches shows them to be vindictive and evil in a wicked, disobedient way. For example, one witch wants to torture a sailor simply because his wife would not give the witch chestnuts. The chanting words of the three sisters shows the magical powers they have over others in the play. The witches can change weather, make things difficult for people, and make them suffer. These first three scenes, I believe, foretell what is going to happen in the upcoming scenes of the play.
Quotations
"So foul and fair a day I have not seen", spoken by Macbeth, I believe is referring to the weather, since it had suddenly become foggy and foul, and his significant and fair victory. I like this quote because I feel irony lies within this line, and the words link Macbeth to the witches. Macbeth has just fought a prominent battle, but evil awaits him among the three witches.
"For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name -
Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished 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,
Till he unseamed him from the nave to th'chaps
And fixed his head upon our battlements." (1.2.16-23)
This quote demonstrates to me the character of Macbeth. He is portrayed as bold, confident, and unafraid of death. In order to reach Macdonwald, Macbeth had to carve his way through the soldiers in the front lines and fight viciously against the Norwegians. To me, Macbeth's actions make him a hero.
The Concrete Jungle
I wake up at 6:00 a.m., but the city never sleeps. I smoothly roll out of my Egyptian cotton sheets and slip off my black silk pajamas, trying to make as little noise as possible so I do not disturb my boyfriend. I placidly walk over to my overstuffed black loveseat, where my Lululemon running tights and their new active wear top awaits me. I slide on my Asics running shoes, pull my hair into a high ponytail, grab my iPod, and make my way to the door of my loft. I soundlessly shut the door behind me, so that I do not awaken my boyfriend from his sound sleep. Once I arrive on the first floor of my building, with the assistance of the elevator operator dressed in his usual clean, crisp, red uniform, I step outside and smell the disgusting, yet addicting, smell of New York City. I push my headphones into my ears, and press play on my iPod. "E.T. Dubstep Remix" commences with a thunderous pulse. I take my first step and quickly begin to feel the groove. My feet connect with the music and gracefully move to the same rhythm.
At 7:30 a.m., I am back at the base of my building, breathing hard but feeling rejuvenated. I open the door, step inside my loft, and see my appealing and adorable boyfriend making my egg-white omelet. I kick off my shoes and walk toward my bathroom. My feet feel the transition from the hardwood floors of my kitchen to the soft carpet of my bedroom, to the marble heated floor of my bathroom. I turn the handle of the shower and patiently wait until the water warms up. I cautiously step in and feel the warm water caressing my skin. When I am clean and refreshed, I step out of the shower, wrap my white fluffy housecoat around my body, and stand inside my massive closet.
Choosing what to wear is probably the most difficult decision of my day. People don't understand. I have a lot of clothes! All of which are utterly adorable! After thoroughly examining all of my outfits, I choose the perfect one for today - black pencil skirt, with a peach-coloured chiffon ruffle top, black patent pumps, and my black Chanel bag with the gold logo and the leather straps. I dress my ears with nothing but my Tiffany pearls, my left wrist is wearing a gold, diamond encrusted Rolex watch, and my gold Links bracelet that my boyfriend bought me, on my right.
I saunter back into the bathroom, and take out my MAC cosmetics. Once I have applied my makeup, ensuring that both eyes are uniform and not looking excessive, I take on the challenge of grooming my hair. This can be a hair-raising experience, as it is extremely thick and unmanageable. I leave it natural today, long and wavy.
I stroll into the kitchen to find my steamy spinach and feta cheese omelet lying on a plate, accompanied with a side of fruit and a glass of orange juice. I sit at the granite countertop by the window that overlooks 5th Avenue, and consume my breakfast, as the sun rises and begins to deflect off the extensively tall glass buildings. I am soon ready for work.
As I am walking to work, I pass by Saks, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Ralph Lauren. I see Starbucks on the corner of 34th Street, and I hurry and get in line. I'm finally at the counter and quickly tell the handsome new barista my order. He is new because his nametag says "Joe - In Training." Well, Joe takes a good ten minutes to make my latte, and he forgets to make it extra hot, but I give him a tip because he is just learning. My gold Rolex watch reads 8:57a.m. I only have three minutes to get to work! It takes me a second to remember that I do not actually have a set time to be at work. I just accepted the position as the editor for Vogue magazine, so I can be at work anytime I want. However, I scurry across the street because I know I have a lot of stuff to do. I walk a couple of blocks, and within 15 minutes I am standing in front of a tall silver building. I walk through the glass doors, past the security desk, across the lobby, into the elevator, and up to the 10th floor. I greet my secretary, Francois, and continue down the hall to my office.
My office is huge. Natural light shines on my Apple computer, which sits upright on my gleaming white lacquer desk. My wingback desk chair and the high-backed guest chairs are dark in colour and made of crocodile leather. A fireplace is strategically placed along the left wall, with a large 60-inch television mounted above it. Pure white leather upholsters a wing chair and a straight-lined sofa. Cream coloured lamps surround the furniture. It is my home away from home. As I approach my office door I see my clients lined up and waiting for me; my phone is ringing off the hook. I love it! The hustle and bustle of busyness makes me thrive. After dealing with my initial clients and phone calls, I continue with the rest of my day which consists of looking at new trends, approving articles, and of course, having my chicken breast - grilled, with roasted tomatoes and basil mayo on a baguette, from Markt.
It is now 5:00 p.m. and I am meeting my girlfriends for a drink at "The Boom Boom Room", yes that is where you heard about Madonna last week. At 7:00 p.m., I hail a cab and return to my loft. I step into the foyer and look around; I love how I have decorated the place. The floor throughout is white marble and the walls are off-white. The kitchen is small but includes stainless steel appliances and off-white satin sheened cabinets. High ceilings, polished floors, large immense windows, and black leather furniture create a modern yet sophisticated style. I give my boyfriend a kiss as he tells me he is taking me out for dinner to 230 FIFTH - the number one most romantic restaurant in New York City!
I am wearing my new black, one-shoulder dress with rhinestone studs that I bought last week from Barney's New York, with my black Christian Loubiton shoes accented with a red bow on each heel. At dinner, I order Chilean sea bass while my boyfriend orders a Porterhouse steak; the most expensive steak on the menu. White wine for me and red for him compliments our food quite nicely. We finish by sharing lemon sorbet.
It is now 11:00 p.m. and getting late, yet we decide to take our black lab, Rover, for a walk through Central Park, the public park in the center of Manhattan. The trees stand tall and proud, like they know they are beautiful. We walk along the path beside the river. The water is still, not even a ripple disturbs its peace. We pass the Delacorte amphitheatre and several children's playgrounds. I feel at ease as the cool, yet warm air of the late August night, surrounds me.
We make our way home... slowly but surely, and change into our pajamas. I delicately lift up the sheets and slide my body under them. The second my head hits the pillow I'm off.
