Macbeth LRJ #1

Aaron Fernandez

10 IB English

Ms. Peifer

March 3 ,2009

1) The first impressions of Macbeth was that he is a very well respected, and self prideful man. "For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name- Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel"

( 1.2. 16- 17).  He is seen as a very highly known a great and brave warrior who kills everyone in in his sight during battle. He had a conscience that murder was wrong, and that he would never so it even though he would go to war, and kill many people.  "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair"( 1.3. 135- 136).  He is afraid of killing others in order fro personal gain, and that he will never do that just the thought scares him.  

Lady Macbeth is a strong woman, who appears to everyone as a nice, and kind woman, but she knows inside that she is very brave, and cunning.  "Look like th'innocent flower, But be the serpent under't"( 1.6. 65-66).  She is telling herself that to look like a different person, and that inside she will be strong and cunning.  She also taunts Macbeth to be a man and that he should not be a coward.  "And live a coward in thine own esteem" ( 1.7. 44).  She is telling Macbeth to be a man, that he will only be a greater man if he becomes Thane of Cawdor, and kills Duncan.

Banquo portrays himself to the witches as a little bit jealous because he is not worshiped like Macbeth is.  He says to the witches, "That he seems rapt withal To me you speak not"( 1.3. 57).  He is jealous that Macbeth will became the Thane of Cawdor.  He does find relief when he hears that his children will become the Thanes after their deaths.  He comforts Macbeth, and tries to keep his own uneasiness unknown.  

2) A theme is Act 1 is morality, that how everyone should have a sense of morals and not be persuaded to stray from them because of someone else.  Macbeth is afraid of murdering but yet he is persuaded bu Lady Macbeth that he should kill Duncan.  Macbeth finally agrees to it but he is afraid of the consequences.  Lady Macbeth tells him, "Art thou afeard To be the same thine own act and valor A thou art desire?( 1.7. 40- 42) Lady Macbeth completely changes Macbeth's mind by saying he is lesser of a man.  Macbeth in return strayed from his morals, and was convinced to work against them.

3) "Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor's minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave"( 1.2. 17- 20).  This quote describes how good of a warrior Macbeth is.  It is striking because later on in the story Macbeth reveals that he is devastated of murdering somebody, especially in their sleep.  The quote shows how well respected he is, and how he kills everyone in his trail.  His sword was full of blood, and he carved out his passage so he would just constantly be killing people in this battle.  There was so much bloodshed that his sword was covered in blood.