Violence was much more prevalent during the Elizabethan Age than it is now. It was engrained into many parts of the society and the people were hardened by it. Throughout Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, acts of violence occur that slowly escalate as the play unfolds. Violence, however, was then, as now, perceived as a predominantly negative action. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses this negative interpretation to his advantage by slowly using different degrees of violence to shape the audiences opinion. .
The first act of violence that takes place in Macbeth is relatively minor, and downplayed. The audience, although aware that a murder has taken place, does not see it on stage and thus their opinions of the situation are crafted by the light words: "The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures; "tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil". (2.2.54-56). The audience is allowed to observe only the sense of guilt of both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth without being given hard facts with which to form their would-be negative views of the two. Shakespeare sets the speculation of the audience further adrift by having the second murder occur off stage as well. As Macbeth expresses false reasons for killing the guards, the elaborate words he wields serve to sway the spectators views again, "Here lay Duncan, his silver skin laced with his golden blood, and his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature for ruins wasteful entrance; there, the murderers, steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers unmannerly breached with gore. Who could refrain, that had a heart to love, and in that heart courage to make's love known?" (2.3.94-101). Lines such as these strategically hold an audiences judgements in check but allow the plays plot to continue forward. Throughout the play, Shakespeare suspends reaction while holding the undivided attention of the audience until he can present a clear emotion that can be felt for characters in the play.
