Importance of Opening scene in Macbeth

Untrammeled by conventions and customs, codes and usages Shakespeare often embarked (শুরু করা) on most marvelous expositions. Perhaps the most striking example would be the beginning of Macbeth, more of a seance than a scene. This is a short scene of only a dozen lines, strikes the key note to the play. In this introductory scene Shakespeare creates a supernatural atmosphere through only three characters —the three witches and through the conversation of them we came to know so many important matters, information of the drama—the report of the battle, a future programme of their meeting again and the information about Macbeth, the main character of the drama for the first time. 

Shakespeare creates a supernatural atmosphere in a deserted place through thunder, lightening, rain and three disheveled creatures. Their conversation about various matters makes the readers very much curious. The first question of the first witch is when they shall meet again in thunder, in lightening or in rain. It informs the audience that they have the power to move from any place to another place in such bad weather and perhaps in condition they become very much delight. The second witch answers that they’ll meet again when the battle will be either lost or won. The third witch comments that the battle will be over before sunset. These give us an index that the witches have the power to see the future. Then they plan to meet Macbeth upon a destroyed heath. Other background characters like ‘Graymalkin’ , ‘Paddock’ intensify the evil and supernatural atmosphere very much. At the very end of the 1st scene, their chorus—“Fair is foul and foul is fair” suggests that the withered women are to convert the natural order of things and are to make a topsy-turvy situation. 

Many critics have opined many different opinions about this brief content of this small scene. According to Barker, this scene is insignificant, poor and pointless. But so many critics also opine that this introductory scene introduces the reader with the main character of this drama, Macbeth and also with the motive of the drama.

Tragedy always involves the reversion of values. The final speech of the witches in the scene (‘Fair is foul and foul is fair/…………’) indeed portrays this reversion in Macbeth. Thus in tone and temper, in matter and manner this Shakespearean scene is superb, suitable and unique.