Macbeth act-1-notes-
- 2. Act 1 Scene 1Act 1 Scene 1 SummarySummary – The three witches areThe three witches are introduced. Theyintroduced. They inform the reader thatinform the reader that they are going to meetthey are going to meet with Macbeth.with Macbeth. ThemesThemes – SupernaturalSupernatural WitchesWitches DefinitionsDefinitions – Anon – immediatelyAnon – immediately Character DescriptionsCharacter Descriptions – WitchesWitches Are they actualAre they actual supernatural beings?supernatural beings? Important LinesImportant Lines – Fair is foul, foul is fairFair is foul, foul is fair AntithesisAntithesis SettingSetting
- 3. Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2 SummarySummary – Duncan is introduced. A soldierDuncan is introduced. A soldier comes to Duncan to tell him thatcomes to Duncan to tell him that Macbeth has killed the rebelMacbeth has killed the rebel Macdonwald. However, the battleMacdonwald. However, the battle continues as the Norwegian lord begancontinues as the Norwegian lord began a new assault. He was aided by thea new assault. He was aided by the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth was ableThane of Cawdor. Macbeth was able to defeat them. Duncan orders theto defeat them. Duncan orders the Thane of Cawdor to be killed and giveThane of Cawdor to be killed and give Macbeth the title.Macbeth the title. Notes or DefinitionsNotes or Definitions – ThaneThane a title of nobility in Scotlanda title of nobility in Scotland corresponding to that of an earl.corresponding to that of an earl. – Bellona’s bridegroomBellona’s bridegroom Bellona was a goddess of war andBellona was a goddess of war and sister of mars.sister of mars. – NaveNave navelnavel – ChapsChaps jawsjaws Character DescriptionsCharacter Descriptions – DuncanDuncan Seems to be in controlSeems to be in control – MacbethMacbeth Even though we don’t meetEven though we don’t meet him, we learn about him.him, we learn about him. Brave soldier, loyal to hisBrave soldier, loyal to his country.country. Important LinesImportant Lines – And with his former title greetAnd with his former title greet Macbeth.Macbeth.
- 4. Act 1 Scene 3Act 1 Scene 3 SummarySummary – The witches appear again. They give 3The witches appear again. They give 3 predictions to Macbeth and one topredictions to Macbeth and one to Banquo. Scarcely have the predictionsBanquo. Scarcely have the predictions been made than Ross and Angusbeen made than Ross and Angus arrive to tell Macbeth that he has beenarrive to tell Macbeth that he has been made Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth andmade Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and Banquo react differently. BanquoBanquo react differently. Banquo recognizes evil as such but Macbeth isrecognizes evil as such but Macbeth is now encouragement to put further trustnow encouragement to put further trust in them.in them. Themes or SymbolismThemes or Symbolism – Symbolism of FearSymbolism of Fear Notice how Macbeth gets afraid whenNotice how Macbeth gets afraid when the witches mention he will be King.the witches mention he will be King. This symbolism is associated with theThis symbolism is associated with the main theme of the play which is gradualmain theme of the play which is gradual ruin of a man through his yielding toruin of a man through his yielding to evil.evil. – Theme of DarknessTheme of Darkness Witches 0 goes back to scene 1.Witches 0 goes back to scene 1. Character DescriptionsCharacter Descriptions – MacbethMacbeth His ambition begin to work at him.His ambition begin to work at him. – BanquoBanquo Loyal to the kingLoyal to the king Not influenced by predictionsNot influenced by predictions Important LinesImportant Lines – So foul and fair a day have not seenSo foul and fair a day have not seen ParadoxParadox – Present fears are less than horriblePresent fears are less than horrible imaginingsimaginings
- 5. Act 1 Scene 4Act 1 Scene 4 SummarySummary – Malcolm is describing theMalcolm is describing the execution of the thane ofexecution of the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and BanquoCawdor. Macbeth and Banquo enter and are thanked byenter and are thanked by Duncan for their loyalty andDuncan for their loyalty and service. He promises toservice. He promises to reward them with morereward them with more honours. Duncan then nameshonours. Duncan then names his son Malcom as the heir tohis son Malcom as the heir to the throne (Prince ofthe throne (Prince of Cumberland). As an honour toCumberland). As an honour to Macbeth, Duncan invitesMacbeth, Duncan invites himself and the court tohimself and the court to Macbeth’s castle. MacbethMacbeth’s castle. Macbeth leaves immediately of theleaves immediately of the castle but he is upset thatcastle but he is upset that Malcolm has been named heir.Malcolm has been named heir. Character DescriptionsCharacter Descriptions – MacbethMacbeth Notice his ambition 0 he isNotice his ambition 0 he is upset that he is not heir to theupset that he is not heir to the throne.throne. – DuncanDuncan Not a good judge of characterNot a good judge of character – trusted Thane of Cawdor who– trusted Thane of Cawdor who was a traitor.was a traitor. Important LinesImportant Lines There’s no artThere’s no art To find the mind’s construction inTo find the mind’s construction in the face.the face.
- 6. Act 1 Scene 5Act 1 Scene 5 SummarySummary – Lady Macbeth is reading a letterLady Macbeth is reading a letter her husband has sent telling herher husband has sent telling her about the prophecies and theirabout the prophecies and their partial fulfillment. She expressespartial fulfillment. She expresses her determination that the thirdher determination that the third prophecy will also come true.prophecy will also come true. However, she also believes thatHowever, she also believes that Macbeth is not capable of theMacbeth is not capable of the direct action required – the murderdirect action required – the murder of Duncan – and decides she mustof Duncan – and decides she must spur him on.spur him on. – A messenger arrives with the newsA messenger arrives with the news that Duncan is on his way tothat Duncan is on his way to Inverness. She knows this will beInverness. She knows this will be an ideal opportunity to carry outan ideal opportunity to carry out her plan and wants her femininityher plan and wants her femininity to be replaced with evil.to be replaced with evil. – Macbeth arrives.Macbeth arrives. Character DescriptionsCharacter Descriptions – Lady MacbethLady Macbeth Notice how cruel she is.Notice how cruel she is. She takes control.She takes control. Important LinesImportant Lines – Unsex me here …Unsex me here … – Yet I do fear thy natureYet I do fear thy nature
- 7. Listen to MacbethListen to Macbeth