Summaries of Acts 1 of Macbeth

Summaries of Acts 1 of Macbeth

  • Submitted By: chri
  • Date Submitted: 03/08/2009 6:42 PM
  • Category: Book Reports
  • Words: 370
  • Page: 2
  • Views: 421

ACT 1 Summary

Scene 1- The play begins with three witches in Scotland that decide to meet again after the battle. The scene begins with lightning and thunder creating a very gloomy and scary setting.

Scene 2- King Duncan of Scotland hears that the battle was a success against the Thane of Cawdor, Macdonwald and The King of Norway, thanks to his noblemen Macbeth and Banquo. Later King Duncan announces that Macbeth has been given Cawdor's Title.

Scene 3- The Three Witches greet Macbeth and tell him that he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Banquo is then told that his children shall be kings. Both men wonder if all this is true, and Banquo is suspicious of the Three Witches. When the Witches vanish, Ross and Angus tell Macbeth that he has been made the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth starts to believe in what the witches had told him, but is scared that he has to kill the king to complete the prophecy.

Scene 4- Duncan demands for assurance that the former Thane of Cawdor has been executed. Macbeth and Banquo meet with Duncan. King Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, will be named the new Prince of Cumberland. Macbeth feels that he must overcome Malcolm and Duncan in order to become King.

Scene 5- Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth, and she becomes aware of the prophecy given by the Three Witches. Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth is too kind and weak to kill King Duncan. She asks for her woman qualities to leave, and to “thicken her blood,” that way she would be able to do what Macbeth can't do. The messenger tells Lady Macbeth that Duncan will stay at their castle, therefore Lady Macbeth plans for Duncan's murder with Macbeth.

Scene 6- Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castles and greets Lady Macbeth. They speak about Macbeth and the castle.

Scene 7- Macbeth contemplates the reasons why it is a bad thing to kill Duncan. If he decides to do it then it should be done quick. He struggles with his conscience. Lady Macbeth messes...

Similar Essays