Macbeth: Act 1

Macbeth: Act 1

1. Scene 1

   • Thunder and Lightning
     • This is the first thing the audience see and hear.
       • This creates the feeling that there is going to be liniment conflict.
   • Three witches
     • Shows the play features the supernatural.
     • Planing to meet Macbeth after the battle has come to an end
     • "Fair is foul and foul is fair"
       • Oxymoron

2. Scene 2

   • Macdonald"s death
     • Macbeth was responsible for the killing of Macdonald who had previously betrayed king Duncan
     • Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor

3. Scene 3

   • Witches Reappear
     • First witch tells a story about a sailor's wife who refused to give her chestnuts. She plans to torture her husband.
       • This shows the power of these witches and how wicked they can be.
     • When greeting Macbeth the first witch call him "Thane of Gloms" which he currently is but the second witch calls him " Thane of Cawdor"
       • The Audience know this is but it hasn't been revealed to Macbeth yet
   • Macbeth
     • He orders the witches to explain what they meant by "Thane of Cawdor" but they vanish
       • Ross and Angus arrive and give Macbeth the title "Thane of Cawdor"
     • Macbeth is torn over this news as he realises the witches were right but fears that something would have to happen to king Duncan for him to become king.
       • Macbeth decides to go to see the king and thinks that if fate has decided he will be king, he can become king without doing anything
         • "If chance will have my king, why chance may crown me / Without my stir"

4. Scene 4

   • Malcolm declared heir
     • When Macbeth arrives king ducal praises him and Macbeth says it was his duty to kill the traitor
       • King Duncan tells Macbeth that his son will become king when he dies
         • Macbeth says that Malcolm is ow an obstacle for him.
           • He admits he wants the crown even though it's wrong to do so
             • "Stars, hide your fires, / Let not light see my black and deep desires"

5. Scene 5

   • Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth and finds out what the witches said. She thinks he should take action to get the crown.
     • Lady Macbeth asks the witches to make her less womanly and more cruel to help Macbeth get the crown he and she wants.

6. Scene 6

   • King Duncan arrives
     • Uses praising language to addresss lady Macbeth creating dramatic irony

7. Scene 7

   • Macbeth has a soliquoy and thinks about what would happen if he killed king Duncan
     • Macbeth tells lady Macbeth that they will not kill the king
       • Lady Macbeth persistently tries to persuade Macbeth to murder him with her.
         • She makes him feel guilty for breaking a promise to his wife
           • Macbeth agrees