Macbeth Extract 2 Captain reports to Duncan about Macbeth’s prowess on the battlefield. Flashcards
(12 cards)
The following extract has been taken from Act One of ‘Macbeth’.
In this extract, the Captain reports to Duncan about Macbeth’s prowess on the battlefield.
DUNCAN
What bloody man is that? He can report,
As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt
The newest state.
MALCOLM
This is the sergeant
Who like a good and hardy soldier fought
‘Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend!
Say to the king the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it.
Captain
Doubtful it stood;
As two spent swimmers, that do cling together
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald–
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villanies of nature
Do swarm upon him–from the western isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;
And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,
Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak:
For brave Macbeth–well he deserves that name–
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd 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 unseam’d him from the nave to the chaps,
And fix’d his head upon our battlements.
DUNCAN
O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!
What is happening in this extract (Act 1, battlefield report)?
A captain reports to King Duncan about how bravely Macbeth fought in a battle. He tells how Macbeth killed the rebel Macdonwald and put his head on the castle wall.
Why are Macbeth’s violent actions celebrated in this scene? (use ‘to celebrate’)
To celebrate Macbeth’s bravery and loyalty — showing that violence in battle can be heroic.
Why are Macbeth’s violent actions celebrated in this scene? (use ‘to reveal the importance of’)
To reveal the importance of honour and courage in warriors like Macbeth during war.
Why are Macbeth’s violent actions celebrated in this scene? (use ‘to establish’)
To establish Macbeth as a heroic figure early on, so his later downfall is more dramatic.
How does Shakespeare influence the audience’s view of Macbeth before we meet him?
Shakespeare makes him sound heroic and unstoppable. The captain calls him ‘brave Macbeth’ and says he deserves the name.
What does Macbeth’s sword imagery tell us about his fighting?
His sword ‘smoked with bloody execution’ — it shows he was killing so much his sword was hot from use. It makes him sound powerful and violent.
How is Duncan shown as an ineffective king in this scene?
Duncan doesn’t know what’s going on and needs others to tell him. He’s passive and out of touch.
Violence is celebrated in this scene.
Where else in the play is violence shown and is it celebrated or criticised?
In Macbeth’s murder of Duncan — it’s criticised. In Banquo’s murder — it’s sneaky. In the final battle — violence returns to being about justice.
Choose one theme from the scene and explain how it fits.
Theme: Violence — Macbeth’s killing is praised here. But later, violence becomes cruel and destructive.
Choose another theme from the scene and explain how it fits.
Theme: Loyalty vs Betrayal — Macbeth is loyal in this scene, but it sets up how far he falls later.
What could you say in a discussion about violence in Macbeth?
Violence is shown as both heroic (here) and horrifying (later). Shakespeare may be showing how it corrupts even brave people like Macbeth.
