Context: The first public scene of the play presents us with all the traditional figures of a court. We have been unsettled by the appearance of a ghost but have, as yet, no reason to mistrust this new king. He is statesmanlike in dealing with home and foreign affairs and on a family level offers comfort to the grieving prince. He seems capable and the business of the court seems efficient and well-managed.
The murderer never foresees having to cover his tracks. It
is when cornered by the consequences of his actions that he
is at his most dangerous. Shakespeare shows both Claudius
and Macbeth voicing a terrible awareness of the blood on their
hands, struggling with their consciences, unable to pray or
sleep. Both are prepared to take extreme action in order to
retain their ill-gotten gains. |
