Dramatic significance of opening scene: -
The opening scene of Macbeth not only introduces the audience to the
supernatural element that will be carried throughout the play, but it also
establishes a theme of disorder through the presence of the witches, the stormy
weather, and the bleak landscape.
The opening scene of Macbeth is significant because it begins to establish the
dark and menacing mood of the play and because it begins to establish the
malevolent and deceptive character of the three Weird Sisters.
Certainly. It sets the tone for the rest of the play. This scene, featuring the three
witches, creates an atmosphere of foreboding and supernatural elements,
immediately engaging the audience's curiosity.
The name of Macbeth, the name that gives the play its title, is mentioned in the
opening scene. The witches plan to meet him when the battle, is lost and won.
There is a connection between losing and winning. What seems to be success is
actually a failure, as Macbeth would discover in the course of the play. The
witches have an interest in him, and he is introduced first to the audience in a
powerful atmosphere of evil. Curiosity of the audience is aroused; they want to
know how the witches are going to interfere in Macbeth's life. If Macbeth gives
in to the witches' temptation, the audience would be led to pity him- a brave
soldier and fearless warrior. Finally, Macbeth may be tempted, but he would not
be compelled to fall into temptation. He would still have the freedom of choice.
The opening scene establishes the link between the witches and Macbeth.
Thus, this scene prepares for the events to come in the play. In the first scene the
witches plan to meet Macbeth and in the third scene they plan to interfere in his
life. Being influenced by them, he echoes their philosophy by saying "So foul
and fair a day I have not seen."
The witches' cryptic prophecies foreshadow the central themes of ambition,
power, and the consequences of unchecked desire. The introduction of these
supernatural beings also introduces a sense of moral ambiguity, which is
explored throughout the play as characters grapple with their choices.
Atmosphere of Gloom
The opening scene provides a suitable background to the tragedy. The scene is
set in an open place', a place removed from the ordinary dwellings of human
beings and their social rules. Thus, it establishes the atmosphere of mystery, and
horror; and introduces the underlying forces that will control the action of the
play. A sense of supernatural evil is conveyed by the thunder and lightning and
by the appearance of the witches. Such an atmosphere of the deserted heath,
prevailing darkness, Fearful Thunder and lightning is associated with evil which
predominates in the play. The uncertainty of the outcome of the plot is shown by
the short sentences used by the witches as well as their questioning attitude.
Sense of Doom: -
The keynote of the play- order and disorder is stuck in the opening scene. The
opening scene provides a brooding sense of doom. Shakespeare uses the
background of a frightening spectacle to grip his audience.
We see the three old witches howling, shrieking in a thunderstorm, cackling
greedily over their evil plan. Darkness broods over the play, the witches operate
in a topsy-turvy world. Their questioning attitude shows an uncertain future.
Confusion and Deception
Hurly-burly signifies noise and confusion of battle. Besides, the murder of
Duncan is a violation of natural law culminating in unnatural confusion and
disorder. In fact, the witches have contemptuous regard for the affairs of men.
The witches speak in riddles to deceive people. They say: When the battle's lost
and won. Every battle is lost by one side and won by the other, but the witches
mean another type of a battle where men can win and lose. Macbeth will win
the battle, but he will lose, at the time of triumph, another more important battle
that of his soul. Finally, he would lose all that he has his God, wife, friends,
country and the crown.
Inversion of Values
The opening scene ends with the theme of inversion of values: Fair is foul, and
foul is fair, that is, whatever is good, is bad; and whatever is bad is good for the
witches. The scene gives ample evidence to their principle. It sums up the
reversal of normal moral values.This moral confusion is reflected in the storm
in the heavens and in the hurlyburly' on the battlefield.
The unnatural inversion is seen in the fact that the witches are summoned by
their familiars, pets inhabited by evil spirits. These pets call them. In normal
conditions, pets are called by their mistresses.
Fog and filthy air depict an atmosphere of confusion in which deceitful evil
operates. The witches meet in the barrenness of chaos; for evil is sterile and
opposed to the abundance of nature.
Overall, the opening scene establishes an eerie mood, introduces key themes,
and captures the audience's attention, making it a pivotal starting point for
studying the play's deeper complexities.
