Discuss the staging of Act 1 Scene 4 and Act 5 Scene 3 Essay

Macbeth was write in 1606 for the current King James I. 1606 was in the Jacobean period, a time when people believed in the Divine Right of Kings. This is the belief that Kings were chosen by God. They also believed that the worst possible crime was to wipe out a King and this would result in existence dammed to hell. They also believed in the Great Chain of universe, the importance of bes from highest to lowest. At the top was God and below him were the different positions held by Angels. Below Angels, the King was positioned in a higher place all other human beings. Because of this the King was leapingn the title Gods Deputy On Earth. During the Jacobean period there was also a strong belief in witchcraft this being present in the play greatly intrigued the audience.Act 1 slam 4 and act 5 scene 3 twain show examples of Kingship. The Kingship shown in these two scenes are very different. In gild to understand these differences we must focus on the way in which the scenes a re staged and the audiences pictures generated by the script.Duncan is a very well take noteed and admi chromatic King. The people of Scotland admire and bow shore to him, as they believe he is a good ruler. Duncan praises and rewards those who do well to him. He congratulates Macbeth in triumphant the battle against Norway and promotes him to Thane of Cawdor. Its ironic how Duncans two most trusted companions betray him. Macbeth had gained the title Thane of Cawdor off the previous(prenominal) traitor that turned against Duncan and fought for Norway. Duncan truly believes in loyalty and trust. This implies that Duncan is an extremely confident man. When he walks into a elbow room, he knows people are watching him and this does non twainer him.Macbeth rules very differently to Duncan. After killing Duncan, Macbeth begins to terror that this could easily happen to him. Macbeth does not praise those who do well, but punishes those who do bad or correct nothing. If he feels they may be a threat to him he will immediately take attain and eliminate them. Macbeth has no loyal friends, simply scared servants that do what they are commanded, fearing for their lives.The first scene shows Duncan as King surrounded by his loyal company, whereas the second scene shows Macbeth as King without the company of anyone extract his servants which are treated with very little respect. In both of these acts the Kings are scuppered in the same room of the castle. In act 1 scene 1, Duncan is informed about the death of Thane of Cawdor who is found to be a traitor and sentenced to death. The atmosphere presented is shameful but Duncan knows that the decision he made was right.In act 5 scene 3 Macbeth hears that the English ground forces is heading for the castle. He also finds out the unstable measure up of his wife. He jokes to the doctor and asks what the condition of the country is. The doctor replies very honestly saying that he would take to be as far away from Dunsinane as possible. In this scene Macbeth realizes that he will neer be the King that Duncan was, he can see that the honor he receives is merely from the mouth and not from the heart.To show the different views from each scene I would present them similar to each other, as this would cater the audience to compare and make a connection between the scenes much clearly. In act 1 scene 4 I would arrange the characters in order to show their status. I would place Duncan in center stage and make sure that he is the main focus. In order to enhance this persuasion his position on stage must be raised above others. I would retain his loyal accompanists by his side.By doing this it would create the sense that Duncan is a man of high status and respected and reward as a King. To create a connection between the two scenes I would place Macbeth in the same position as Duncan in act 5 scene 3. Duncans opposeion to the perfidy and sentenced execution to the once loyal Thane of Cawdor s hould be very calm. He could also show a keen sadness by shedding a tear, this would show the audience that Duncan is shocked and upset by the acts of mistrust. Macbeth is confront with a similar situation in which could endanger his position as King, I would make him react violently and irritated.To create an obvious link between the tow scenes I would use a bombastic throne as a distinctive prop. This throne would be grand and covered in red velvet. In act 1 scene 4 I would do Duncan using this throne in a proper manner, sitting up straight and proudly, where as I would defy Macbeth slouching with one branch on an armrest. By using this prop it would display their differences in Kingship.In act 1 scene 4 Macbeth displays his loyalty towards Duncan by crying out O worthiest cousin as Macbeth and Banquo approach. As he says this line I would make him have his arms wide open reaching out towards Macbeth. In line 31 Duncan says let me infold thee and hold thee to my heart. On thi s line I would make Macbeth kneel cumulation and kiss Duncans ring. Rings were worn by Kings as symbols of their positions. Kissing this ring would show Macbeths respect towards Duncan.In part 3 of act 5, line 11, a servant informs Macbeth about the English armys approach towards the castle. Macbeth is worried, he shows great disrespect towards the servant by addressing to him with thou cream-facd addlehead. Whilst Macbeth says this line I would make him use violence towards the servant, hitting or shaking him. This would show an crime and uncaring King that is simply using his status to place himself above everyone else. Towards the end of this scene a doctor talks to Macbeth about the condition of his wife. Macbeth looks down to the doctor even though the doctor knows more about his wife than he does.Macbeth often reassures himself by referring back to the witches prophecies, while he does this I would have him pacing back and forth. The witches never told Macbeth what to do th ey simply predicted the future and left it in the hands of Macbeth. This raises the judgement that Macbeth might not have been King if he did not kill Duncan, or he could have become King at a later date from the natural death of Duncan.Dressing both of the Kings in each scene differently can compare their differences in personality. I would dress Duncan in a large pure white robe to show his clear conscience. I would also grace him with gold jewelry to display his high status. Macbeth would be dressed very differently I would have him in more common clothing in the colour black. This black would show the evil out of sight within him. This evil side is suggested when Lady Macbeth describes Macbeth as looking like the innocent yet being the serpent under.By using different lighting I would be able to display what the Kings are feeling in each scene. In act 1 scene 4 I would use an orange light, this would create a feeling of warmth, as Duncan is kind, caring and in great company. In act 5 scene 3 I would have a blue light, this will give the scene a cold, empty and negative feel.All of these stage techniques would enable the audience to compare and origin the two scenes of Kingship. If these were not used it would make the story harder to understand, hidden within Shakespeares script.In both of these scenes the Kings received high amounts of respect whether it was truly from the heart or falsely from the mouth. Macbeth was seen to be simply an disqualify King by those who knew him closely as apposed to a bad King. This is because in the Jacobean period, whomever becomes King, has been elected by God, God being the top of the Great Chain of Beings. Back then Gods opinion meant everything, and could fix peoples opinion on a bad King.