Macbeth IV Reading Journal

Scene I – This scene is very frightening, the presence of the doctor shows that there is something clearly wrong with Lady Macbeth. As we see Lady Macbeth’s insanity, unlike with Macbeth we feel no sympathy for her. The audience would feel she deserves this illness as previously throughout the play we have always seen her as a cruel woman on the dark side. The sleep walking shows how disturbed Lady Macbeth is. Sleep is the most peaceful time when evil is stripped away, yet she cannot rest. When Lady Macbeth is asleep, she is her real self but when she is conscious she is controlled by the witches. This link to the weird sisters creates a slight empathy in the audience.

Scene II – This contrasts with the previous scene as it is short and snappy. It speeds up with the action building up anticipation for the climax. Angus makes a connection with the blood imagery from previous scenes when he says; “murders sticking on his hands.” It is clear to the audience how Macbeth is viewed by the rest of the characters, names such as; “tyrant,” and “dwarfish thief,” belittle him and show how much respect he has lost.

Scene III – In this scene it is clear to the audience how out of his depth Macbeth is. He doesn’t act as a king and fulfil his role, we see that he is still a soldier at heart as he prepares for the battle too early when putting on his armour. Macbeth is isolated here; he has no one loyal left to support him as he pushed everyone away with his cruel actions. The presence of Seyton adds emphasis to the evil in the play as his name is linked with the devil. This creates a dark and gothic atmosphere as in the era the play was set in, Satan was a terrifying figure. For Macbeth to be associating with someone linked to such evil shows the extent to which he has fallen. When speaking of his wife he is cold and formal; “how does you patient, doctor?” He doesn’t refer to her as a person let alone someone he has promised to love, therefore reflecting how far their marriage has deteriorated.

Scene IV – This is a very short and snappy scene as it has a fast pace leading up to the battle. Seywards rhyme at the end helps the flow and rhythm of the scene. Macbeth is called a “tyrant,” throughout this act showing that everyone around feared him as he abused his power and position in society.

Scene V – Macbeth’s reaction to Lady Macbeth’s death is unusual, he is unnaturally composed and reserved at the news. Instead of mourning he rants about life and the inevitability of death. He belittles his wife’s existence and strips her life of any meaning. He spoke in a cold manner, generalising her death and not paying any attention to the qualities of her. Macbeth fears merely being a pawn controlled by greater forces. He doesn’t want to be just a “poor player,” and this is why he acted in the way he did to claim the throne.