Structure of Macbeth

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Shakespeare put the scenes in specific orders, he had reasons to structure them in a certain way:

To emphasise important themes:

He introduces Witches at the beginning in Act 1, Scene 1

That way the audience knows that there are supernatural forces at work

To set the mood:

The first scene sets the mood for the rest of the act

In Act 2, Scene 1 Macbeth goes to murder Duncan

Sets dark atmosphere for the whole of Act 2

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Tragedies have a set structure

Macbeth is a typical tragedy

First part builds up to turning point (Duncan's murder)

Second part deals with the consequences of this, which lead to the main character's downfall

Structure helps Shakespeare develop the charactrers

Macbeth starts off as an honourable, moral character, but he's corrupted by ambition (fatal flaw)

In contrast, Lady Macbeth starts out cruel and remorseless, but eventually goes mad from guilt

Macbeth also has a circular structure - starts and ends with a battle to defeat a "merciless tyrant"

Shows that the events have come full circle and order is restored at the end of the play

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Shakespeare varies length of scenes

Shakespeare uses short scenes to speed up the action and make the play more exciting

For example, Act 5 is made up of nine short scenes - and a lot happens in this act

Lady Macbeth goes mad, the English army arrives, Lady Macbeth dies, Macbeth sees Birnam Wood on the move, Macbeth kills Young Siward, Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes King

Long scenes let Shakespeare explore his characters' emotions and reveal their true characters

In Act 4, Scene 3, Malcolm tests Macduff by claiming to be unfit to be King

Macduff's reaction shows that he is loyal to Malcolm and passionate about his country

Later in that scene, Macduff learns that his wife and children are dead - grief shows that he cares about his family too

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Shakespeare prepares you for what's going to happen

Hinting at what's going to happen later on in a play is a good way of keeping the audience on edge

Shakespeare does it a lot in Macbeth, especially near the start

In Act 1, Scene 1 the Witches let the audience know that they're evil ("Fair is foul") and that they're going to meet Macbeth

Creates dramatic tension because it makes the audience wonder who Macbeth is and what the Witches are planning for him

In Act 1, Scene 3 the Witches tell Macbeth he'll be King,

Which plants the idea in both Macbeth's and the audience's minds and creates anticipation

In Act 1, Scene 4 Macbeth hears that Malcolm is heir to the throne, not him - suggests that for the Witches' prophecy to come true, Macbeth will have to do something

The audience starts to wonder what Macbeth's capable of, and how strong his ambition is

Apparitions' prophecies in Act 4, Scene 1 hints at things to come

Audience suspects the prophecies will come true, but doesn't know how, which builds suspense

Theme - Supernatural

Supernatural elements in the play (the Witches, the apparitions, Macbeth's vision of a dagger and Banquo's ghost) create tension

They make things seem uncertain and evil

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Suspense - what will happen next?

Shakespeare leaves audience in little doubt it's going to be a tragedy - but he still keeps a few questions open about what's going to happen

Act 1, Scene 7 Macbeth battles his conscience before killing Duncan

Act 3, Scene 1 Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan. Macbeth plots to kill Banquo

Act 4, Scene 3 Macduff learns that his family have been murdered and vows to take revenge

Act 5 Scenes alternate between Macbeth preparing for battle and the English army advancing

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