1972. In
retrospect, the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel or the
opening scene of a drama introduces some of the major themes of the work. Write
an essay about the opening scene of a drama or the first chapter of a novel in
which you explain how it functions in this way.
The opening scene of William Shakespeare’s
Macbeth begins with three witches
standing amidst thunder and lightning as they view the battle below and discuss
their next meeting place; once their meeting adjourns, they vanish. Immediately the reader is introduced to the
themes of appearance versus reality and insanity versus sanity.
From the beginning the reader questions
whether these witches exist, or are they a figment of one’s imagination. Since the opening scene readers know that the
witches are associated with Macbeth when the third witch says, “There to meet
with Macbeth” (1.1.8). More importantly,
the witches pose the question of Macbeth’s insanity, which is established by the
aforementioned questioning by the reader.
Throughout the drama when the witches appear, they are only seen with Macbeth
or by themselves. Due to this the only
account we have of these witches is from Macbeth; however, readers do not know
if he is reliable due to his unstable mental condition.
A surreal feeling is derived from the
presence of the witches, and as a result the witches add to the theme of
appearance versus reality. The witches
are merely a representation of what is to come in the drama. By vanishing, they construct the reader’s
thinking to be in line with the themes of the drama. They prepare the mind of the reader to begin
thinking about if they are seeing reality and if not, then whose imagination are
they watching.
The
vanishing symbolizes a false reality because people don’t vanish unless they
are a figment of one’s imagination which adds to the theme of insanity versus
sanity. Therefore, readers are
predisposed to think that what they are reading is an aberration, thus adding
to the theme of insanity versus sanity. These
two themes develop as they intertwine throughout the drama as the reader determines
Macbeth’s sanity and whether or not what is seen is actually true.
Once again, nice job. Let's see here... I'm not sure on this one, (other commenting peers, what do you think?) but the 2nd paragraph could probably be re-worded so it feels a little less wordy. For example, after you first say that they are going to meet with Macbeth and are therefore related to his character, then say how he is unstable, and we're not sure of the reality of the witches because of his insanity. And then with the last paragraph, take out one of the "added to the theme of sanity v. insanity" or reword that too so it's not repeated back-to-back.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know the blogs aren't like formal writing, but you might want to throw in a conclusion.
I like the themes you chose here. I think the second paragraph could use some rewording because i didn't understand how the witches brought the theme of insanity vs. sanity until the last sentence of the paragraph when you mention that the witches are only seen by Macbeth which leads us to believe they are an apparition and he is insane. So maybe bring that point up earlier, because when you use the quote and say "the witches pose the question of Macbeth's insanity" I didn't quite understand that. Other than that, I think you did well! :) Nice job!
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