Macbeth Act 1 Summary and Analysis

 
 
Reading Log
Lamm /Colling
 
Act 1:  Scene 1
 
S
etting:  Thunder and lightning on a heath (area
of land covered with grass and shrubs)
 
Three witches (weird sisters) are talking to each
other and they plan to meet with Macbeth.  (The
witches plan to mess with him).
 
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (Witches)
Act 1: Scene 2
S
etting: Camp near Forres
K
ing Duncan hears reports about the battle.
He finds out that the current Thane of Cawdor
is a traitor.  He also finds out that Macbeth
was AWESOME in battle.  Duncan decides to
have the traitor killed and Macbeth will get
the title of Thane of Cawdor.
Act 1: Scene 3
S
etting:  heath
M
acbeth and Banquo meet the three witches of make 3
predictions:
1.  Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor
2. Macbeth will be King
3. Banquo will beget kings (produce a line of kings)
R
oss and Angus, two noblemen, arrive to tell Macbeth that
he has been made Thane of Cawdor.  The news causes
Macbeth to take the witches prophesies seriously, and he
begins to consider murdering King Duncan.
Act 1: Scene 4
S
etting: Forres, the palace (Scottish capital)
B
ack at the royal court, Duncan names Malcolm as
the heir to the Scottish throne.  Macbeth sees this
recognition of Malcolm as an obstacle that he must
overcome in order to become the King of Scotland.
The scene ends with Duncan indicating that he will
stay at Macbeth’s castle that night.
S
tars hide your fires, let not light see my black and
deep desires.” (Macbeth)
Act 1: Scene 5
S
etting: Inverness (Macbeth’s castle)
A
t Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from
Macbeth relaying the witch’s prophecies.  Fearing
Macbeth is too soft-hearted to do what he must to
become king, she resolves to use her power over him
to steel his will.  When she learns the king will visit
their castle that night, Lady Macbeth sees it as the
perfect opportunity to murder him.
L
ook like the innocent flower, but be the serpent
under’t.” (Lady Macbeth)
Act 1: Scene 6
S
etting: Macbeth’s castle
K
ing Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle.  The
comments with 
dramatic irony 
on the
pleasant atmosphere surrounding Macbeth’s
home.  Lady Macbeth graciously welcomes
the king while plotting his murder.
Act 1: Scene 7
Setting: Macbeth’s castle
Macbeth speaks his first important soliloquy explaining
how his ambition has lead to thoughts of murder.  He is
joined by Lady Macbeth, who taunts him to show his
manliness by killing Duncan.  Lady Macbeth comes up with
a plan to kill Duncan.
The Plan:
1. Get Duncan’s guards drunk
2. Kill Duncan in his sleep
3. Smear blood on the guards
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (Macbeth)
 
Act 1 Journal
 
What are your impressions of Lady Macbeth at
the end of Act 1?  What is her relationship
with Macbeth (beyond being his wife)?  What
details in this act support your impression?
 
Act 2: Scene 1
S
etting: Inverness, Macbeth’s castle
M
acbeth comes upon Banquo and Banquo’s son
Fleance after midnight as they make their way to
bed.  Macbeth and Banquo talk of the witches’
predictions, and Macbeth again suggests a
private talk with Banquo.
A
fter they leave, Macbeth imagines a blood-
covered dagger before him.  When the bell
sounds, Macbeth steals away to commit the
murder.
Act 2: Scene 2
S
etting: Macbeth’s castle
L
ady Macbeth has drugged Duncan’s guards
but was unable to murder Duncan.
M
acbeth murders Duncan offstage and
reenters, deeply troubled and dazed.
L
ady Macbeth scolds him and places the
bloody daggers beside the guards, whom she
smears with blood.
Act 2: Scene 3
S
etting: Macbeth’s castle
A
 drunken porter responds to Macduff’s and Lennox’s
knocking at the gate.
L
ennox describes strange upheavals in nature the
previous night as Macduff discovers Duncan’s body.
M
acbeth says that he killed Duncan’s grooms because
they had murdered Duncan, Lady Macbeth faints.
D
uncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country
fearing for their lives.
 
Act 2: Scene 4
 
S
etting: Outside Macbeth’s castle
R
oss and an Old Man speak of wild and unnatural
events that were observed during the night and
the day following Duncan’s murder.
M
acduff reveals that Duncan’s sons are
suspected of murdering their father and that
Macbeth has gone to Scone to be installed as
king.
M
acduff will not attend Macbeth’s coronation,
and he voices doubts about the new kings reign.
Act 2 Journal
What was your reaction to the murder of
Duncan?  Why do you think Shakespeare
decided to murder Duncan and his guards
offstage?
 
Act 3: Scene 1
 
S
etting: Forres: the Palace
B
anquo reveals that he now 
suspects Macbeth
murdered Duncan.
T
o maintain normal appearances, Macbeth
invites Banquo to a banquet at court.
O
ut of fear, Macbeth hires assassins to kill
Banquo and his son Fleance to ensure that
Banquo’s descendants cannot inherit the throne.
Act 3: Scene 2
S
etting: The palace
L
ady Macbeth expresses her discontent and then
scolds Macbeth for brooding about Duncan’s murder.
Macbeth responds that he envies Duncan, who no
longer needs to worry about treachery.
H
e then admits that he fears Banquo and his children
and that a “deed of dreadful note” will soon be
accomplished.  However, he does not specify that the
deed will be the murder of Banquo and Fleance.
Act 3: Scene 3
S
etting: Near the palace
T
hree murderers set upon Banquo and
Fleance as the two approach Macbeth’s
palace.
T
hey kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.
Act 3: Scene 4
S
etting: The palace
T
he banquet is underway when one of the murderers calls Macbeth aside
to tell him that Banquo is dead but Fleance has escaped.
L
ady Macbeth urges Macbeth to join the table.
M
acbeth envisions Banquo’s ghost taking his seat at the banquet table
and speaks to the ghost – causing the guests to think he is unstable.
L
ady Macbeth at first says that her husband is ill and then, fearing what
he might reveal, she dismisses the guests.
M
acbeth closes the scene by saying that he will send for Macduff.
Act 3: Scene 5
S
etting: A witches haunt
H
ecate, queen of the wiches, berates the
weird sisters for leaving her out of their
previous encounters with Macbeth.  She
promises to marshal magic forces to ensure
Macbeth’s ruin.
 
Act 3: Scene 6
 
 
S
etting: The palace
L
ennox expresses his suspicions of Macbeth to an
unnamed lord.  The lord reports that Macduff,
who refused to answer Macbeth’s summons, has
gone to England to obtain the aid of King Edward
and Lord Siward in order to remove the tyrant
Macbeth and restore the Scottish crown to
Malcolm.
 
Act 3 Journal
 
After his vision of Banquo’s ghost in Scene 4,
Macbeth finally accepts that “blood with have
blood”.  What does this phrase mean?  It is
relevant to today’s world?  How?
Act 4: Scene 1
S
etting: A witches’ haunt
M
acbeth revisits the witches, and they show him four
apparitions that predict the future.  The first apparition, an
armed head, tells Macbeth to beware Macduff.  The
second, a bloody child, informs the king that no man born
of a woman will be able to kill Macbeth.  The third, a
crowned child holding a tree, indicated that until Birnam
wood comes to Dunsinane Hill, he will not be conquered.  A
fourth apparition depicts the initial prophecy of Banquo’s
royal descendents.  Macbeth learns of Macduff’s departure
and orders the execution of Macduff’s family.
 
Act 4: Scene 2
 
S
etting: Macduff’s castle
A
t Macduff’s castle, Ross tells Lady Macduff that
Macduff has gone to England.  She cannot understand
why her husband left without explanation and accuses
him of betraying his marriage vows.
W
hen Ross exits, mother and son exchange tender
words, interrupted first by a messenger urging them to
flee for their lives and then by murderers who stab the
son and pursue Lady Macduff offstage.
Act 4: Scene 3
S
etting: England, before the king’s palace
M
acduff attempts to secure Malcolm’s aid in fighting
Macbeth, But Malcolm first tests Macduff’s loyalty to
Scotland.
A
fter Macduff proves his integrity, Malcolm tells him an
army is ready to attack Macbeth’s forces.
R
oss enters and tells Macduff that his wife, children, and
servants have been murdered.
T
urning his shock and grief to anger, Macduff
     prays to meet Macbeth in battle.
 
Act 4 Journal
 
What effect did the brutal murders of Lady
Macduff and her son have on you?  Have your
feelings for Macbeth changed from the
opening of the play until now?  How do you
account for your reaction?
 
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In Act 1 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, we are introduced to the witches who prophesy Macbeth's rise to power. King Duncan rewards Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawdor, leading Macbeth to contemplate murder to fulfill his destiny. Lady Macbeth, driven by ambition, plans Duncan's assassination as he visits their castle, setting the stage for betrayal and tragedy.

  • Macbeth
  • Shakespeare
  • Tragedy
  • Ambition
  • Prophecy

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  1. Reading Log Lamm /Colling

  2. Act 1: Scene 1 Act 1: Scene 1 Setting: Thunder and lightning on a heath (area of land covered with grass and shrubs) Three witches (weird sisters) are talking to each other and they plan to meet with Macbeth. (The witches plan to mess with him). Fair is foul, and foul is fair. (Witches)

  3. Act 1: Scene 2 Act 1: Scene 2 Setting: Camp near Forres King Duncan hears reports about the battle. He finds out that the current Thane of Cawdor is a traitor. He also finds out that Macbeth was AWESOME in battle. Duncan decides to have the traitor killed and Macbeth will get the title of Thane of Cawdor.

  4. Act 1: Scene 3 Act 1: Scene 3 Setting: heath Macbeth and Banquo meet the three witches of make 3 predictions: 1. Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor 2. Macbeth will be King 3. Banquo will beget kings (produce a line of kings) Ross and Angus, two noblemen, arrive to tell Macbeth that he has been made Thane of Cawdor. The news causes Macbeth to take the witches prophesies seriously, and he begins to consider murdering King Duncan.

  5. Act 1: Scene 4 Act 1: Scene 4 Setting: Forres, the palace (Scottish capital) Back at the royal court, Duncan names Malcolm as the heir to the Scottish throne. Macbeth sees this recognition of Malcolm as an obstacle that he must overcome in order to become the King of Scotland. The scene ends with Duncan indicating that he will stay at Macbeth s castle that night. Stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires. (Macbeth)

  6. Act 1: Scene 5 Act 1: Scene 5 Setting: Inverness (Macbeth s castle) At Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth relaying the witch s prophecies. Fearing Macbeth is too soft-hearted to do what he must to become king, she resolves to use her power over him to steel his will. When she learns the king will visit their castle that night, Lady Macbeth sees it as the perfect opportunity to murder him. Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under t. (Lady Macbeth)

  7. Act 1: Scene 6 Act 1: Scene 6 Setting: Macbeth s castle King Duncan arrives at Macbeth s castle. The comments with dramatic irony on the pleasant atmosphere surrounding Macbeth s home. Lady Macbeth graciously welcomes the king while plotting his murder.

  8. Act 1: Scene 7 Act 1: Scene 7 Setting: Macbeth s castle Macbeth speaks his first important soliloquy explaining how his ambition has lead to thoughts of murder. He is joined by Lady Macbeth, who taunts him to show his manliness by killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth comes up with a plan to kill Duncan. The Plan: 1. Get Duncan s guards drunk 2. Kill Duncan in his sleep 3. Smear blood on the guards False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (Macbeth)

  9. Act 1 Journal Act 1 Journal What are your impressions of Lady Macbeth at the end of Act 1? What is her relationship with Macbeth (beyond being his wife)? What details in this act support your impression?

  10. Act 2: Scene 1 Act 2: Scene 1 Setting: Inverness, Macbeth s castle Macbeth comes upon Banquo and Banquo s son Fleance after midnight as they make their way to bed. Macbeth and Banquo talk of the witches predictions, and Macbeth again suggests a private talk with Banquo. After they leave, Macbeth imagines a blood- covered dagger before him. When the bell sounds, Macbeth steals away to commit the murder.

  11. Act 2: Scene 2 Act 2: Scene 2 Setting: Macbeth s castle Lady Macbeth has drugged Duncan s guards but was unable to murder Duncan. Macbeth murders Duncan offstage and reenters, deeply troubled and dazed. Lady Macbeth scolds him and places the bloody daggers beside the guards, whom she smears with blood.

  12. Act 2: Scene 3 Act 2: Scene 3 Setting: Macbeth s castle A drunken porter responds to Macduff s and Lennox s knocking at the gate. Lennox describes strange upheavals in nature the previous night as Macduff discovers Duncan s body. Macbeth says that he killed Duncan s grooms because they had murdered Duncan, Lady Macbeth faints. Duncan s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country fearing for their lives.

  13. Act 2: Scene 4 Act 2: Scene 4 Setting: Outside Macbeth s castle Ross and an Old Man speak of wild and unnatural events that were observed during the night and the day following Duncan s murder. Macduff reveals that Duncan s sons are suspected of murdering their father and that Macbeth has gone to Scone to be installed as king. Macduff will not attend Macbeth s coronation, and he voices doubts about the new kings reign.

  14. Act 2 Journal Act 2 Journal What was your reaction to the murder of Duncan? Why do you think Shakespeare decided to murder Duncan and his guards offstage?

  15. Act 3: Scene 1 Act 3: Scene 1 Setting: Forres: the Palace Banquo reveals that he now suspects Macbeth murdered Duncan. To maintain normal appearances, Macbeth invites Banquo to a banquet at court. Out of fear, Macbeth hires assassins to kill Banquo and his son Fleance to ensure that Banquo s descendants cannot inherit the throne.

  16. Act 3: Scene 2 Act 3: Scene 2 Setting: The palace Lady Macbeth expresses her discontent and then scolds Macbeth for brooding about Duncan s murder. Macbeth responds that he envies Duncan, who no longer needs to worry about treachery. He then admits that he fears Banquo and his children and that a deed of dreadful note will soon be accomplished. However, he does not specify that the deed will be the murder of Banquo and Fleance.

  17. Act 3: Scene 3 Act 3: Scene 3 Setting: Near the palace Three murderers set upon Banquo and Fleance as the two approach Macbeth s palace. They kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.

  18. Act 3: Scene 4 Act 3: Scene 4 Setting: The palace The banquet is underway when one of the murderers calls Macbeth aside to tell him that Banquo is dead but Fleance has escaped. Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to join the table. Macbeth envisions Banquo s ghost taking his seat at the banquet table and speaks to the ghost causing the guests to think he is unstable. Lady Macbeth at first says that her husband is ill and then, fearing what he might reveal, she dismisses the guests. Macbeth closes the scene by saying that he will send for Macduff.

  19. Act 3: Scene 5 Act 3: Scene 5 Setting: A witches haunt Hecate, queen of the wiches, berates the weird sisters for leaving her out of their previous encounters with Macbeth. She promises to marshal magic forces to ensure Macbeth s ruin.

  20. Act 3: Scene 6 Act 3: Scene 6 Setting: The palace Lennox expresses his suspicions of Macbeth to an unnamed lord. The lord reports that Macduff, who refused to answer Macbeth s summons, has gone to England to obtain the aid of King Edward and Lord Siward in order to remove the tyrant Macbeth and restore the Scottish crown to Malcolm.

  21. Act 3 Journal Act 3 Journal After his vision of Banquo s ghost in Scene 4, Macbeth finally accepts that blood with have blood . What does this phrase mean? It is relevant to today s world? How?

  22. Act 4: Scene 1 Act 4: Scene 1 Setting: A witches haunt Macbeth revisits the witches, and they show him four apparitions that predict the future. The first apparition, an armed head, tells Macbeth to beware Macduff. The second, a bloody child, informs the king that no man born of a woman will be able to kill Macbeth. The third, a crowned child holding a tree, indicated that until Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane Hill, he will not be conquered. A fourth apparition depicts the initial prophecy of Banquo s royal descendents. Macbeth learns of Macduff s departure and orders the execution of Macduff s family.

  23. Act 4: Scene 2 Act 4: Scene 2 Setting: Macduff s castle At Macduff s castle, Ross tells Lady Macduff that Macduff has gone to England. She cannot understand why her husband left without explanation and accuses him of betraying his marriage vows. When Ross exits, mother and son exchange tender words, interrupted first by a messenger urging them to flee for their lives and then by murderers who stab the son and pursue Lady Macduff offstage.

  24. Act 4: Scene 3 Act 4: Scene 3 Setting: England, before the king s palace Macduff attempts to secure Malcolm s aid in fighting Macbeth, But Malcolm first tests Macduff s loyalty to Scotland. After Macduff proves his integrity, Malcolm tells him an army is ready to attack Macbeth s forces. Ross enters and tells Macduff that his wife, children, and servants have been murdered. Turning his shock and grief to anger, Macduff prays to meet Macbeth in battle.

  25. Act 4 Journal Act 4 Journal What effect did the brutal murders of Lady Macduff and her son have on you? Have your feelings for Macbeth changed from the opening of the play until now? How do you account for your reaction?

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