Setting: Act 1, Scene 5
a. Scene Observations
- i. Where
This scene takes place in a room in Macbeth’s castle, which is in Inverness (northern Scotland).
- ii. Time
The scene should be around dusk, close to nighttime. This is because the messenger comes in as Lady Macbeth is reading Macbeth’s letter and announces to her that the “the king comes here tonight” (Line 30). Lady Macbeth tells the Messenger that she needs time for preparation for her plan to help Macbeth kill the King before he comes tonight, so it should be around dusk or sunset, to give her enough time to get ready.
- iii. Context
The scene after this is in the same setting, at Macbeth’s castle in Inverness.
b. Act Analysis
In the beginning of this scene, the setting of Macbeth’s castle doesn’t create much of a mood to audiences, as there isn’t a lot of special meaning to it. However towards the end, Lady Macbeth mentions her home as her “battlements” (Line 38). This automatically alters the atmosphere as Macbeth’s castle suddenly gives off a very violent and threatening vibe.
If I had to stage this scene, I would design the room of the castle in fairly dark colors, like black and grey, or have it made out of bricks, to give it a very old and frightening atmosphere. In the background, I would probably add eerie music while Lady Macbeth resolves to put aside her natural femininity and help her husband seize the crown, because it may increase the tension and suspense of what is to happen in the next scene.
Lady Macbeth has also made it clear that she will not let the King leave her “battlements” alive. With the scene after this also taking place in Macbeth’s castle, it makes audiences question whether King Duncan really is going to be murdered, creating a very suspenseful mood.
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