What opinions of you formed of Macbeth in Act I

During Act 1, the audience is presented with many views of Macbeth and it is difficult to decide whether he is good or bad. Macbeth is a complex character and it is too difficult to decide whether Macbeth is simply good or bad; the question has to be looked at in more detail.

Macbeth is introduced to the audience as the Thane of Glamis; soon afterwards he becomes Thane of Cawdor due to his help in the battle against the Norweigians, as he is a member of the Scottish army. Macbeth is the King's kinsman as well and is therefore in line to the throne, though this is only a distant claim. He is clearly important as he is summoned to the King's court and the King then stays a night at Macbeth's castle.

At the start of the play, Macbeth is revealed as a brave and courageous fighter. The Captain tells the King (Duncan) about Macbeth's bravery in battle:

"For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)

The King, who clearly already has an high opinion of Macbeth, describes him as a "valiant cousino and a "worthy gentlemano, and he shows he respect for Macbeth by awarding him the title Thane of Cawdor. At this moment, Macbeth is seen to be loyal to the King by fighting for him,

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Macbeth's determination to kill the king shows a reckless and greedy lust for power. One of the reasons that Macbeth gives himself for not killing Duncan is that he has recently bought "golden opinions [of him] from all sorts of peopleo. Indeed, it could be said that all the evil done by Macbeth is done under the spell of the witches. Lady Macbeth is addressed in the letter as "my dearest partner of greatnesso, showing that Macbeth is also prepared to listen to his wife.

Macbeth is not easily won over to evil; ironically when he first meets the witches he is more scared than Banquo. 4, when Macbeth is paying homage to the King and his son. He gives an image of being a hypocrite: in public he behaves one way and in private with Lady Macbeth & the witches in another. why do you start, and seem to fear/Things that sound so fair?o). o

This is the first example of Macbeth's weak-mindedness and indecision. His first line in the play, "Such foul and fair a day I have not seeno, shows that Macbeth does not enjoy killing people but is prepared to do so if it is necessary - showing he has a conscience. Outside the court, on his own, he says, "Stars hide your fires/Let not light see my dark and deep desires.

Approximate Word count = 1118
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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