Macbeth, Act 1 Summary
Act 1, Scene 1 – Summary †
Characters: The three witches
Location: A desert place
Time: Unknown (before the end of the battle)
Events: The witches plan to meet again after the battle is over, they will meet Macbeth at the heath
Quote: “Fair is foul and foul is fair” – paradox
Act 1, Scene 2 – Summary †
Characters: King Duncan, Malcolm (thane/general) Captain (wounded) Lenox, Rosse, Angus
Location: War Camp near Forres
Time: During the battle that was referenced by the three witches in the previous scene
Events: A wounded Captain briefs the king and his acquaintances on the happenings of the battle. Macbeth fought bravely/honourably and executed Macdonwald the battlefield after killing many of his men. A Norwegian king arrived but was also defeated by the Scottish army, and the victory was awarded to them. The Scotts will not allow the (Norwegian) king to bury his men (this is dishonourable/embarrassing/humiliating for him) unless they are given ten thousand dollars. King Duncan then implies that Macbeth will be made the King’s new thane as Macdonwald had betrayed the King.
Quote: “No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest. – Go, pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth” – King Duncan
Act 1, Scene 3 – Summary †
Characters: Three witches, Macbeth, Banquo, Angus, Rosse
Location: A heath
Time: After the battle
Events: Macbeth and Banquo meet with the three witches, who tell them that in the future they will have conflict with each other, they will be in opposition. Macbeth is informed that he is thane of Glamis, Cawdor and will be King ‘hereafter’ Also, Banquo’s children shall be kings. Banquo is sceptical of the witch’s prophecy, and he issues a warning to Macbeth, to which he ignores. Macbeth becomes consumed by the thought of the prophecy and what could happen, ignores `Banquo.
Quote: “Come what come may, Time and hour runs through the roughest day” – Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 4 – Summary †
Characters:
Location:
Time:
Events:
Quote: Black desires
Act 1, Scene 5 – Summary †
Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Messenger
Location: Macbeth’s castle
Time: After Macbeth’s meeting with the King
Events: Lady Macbeth learns of the most recent events through a letter written by Macbeth himself, she also learns that King Duncan is coming to their castle for the night. Lady Macbeth acknowledges he husband’s ambition but does not believe that he has the necessary ‘evil’ within him to commit such treason. (killing a king) She calls upon ‘the darkness’ to shield her from the light of heaven, and god so that her crime will be hidden, even from herself.
Quote: “Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t” – Lady Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 6 – Summary †
Characters: King Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macbeth, Donalbain, Lenox, Macduff, Rosse, Angus and Attendants
Location: Just before the castle, not actually in it yet
Time: As Duncan is arriving at the castle
Events: King Duncan arrives at the castle and is greeted by Lady Macbeth. (Short scene)
Act 1 Scene 7 – Summary †
Characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Servants
Location: A room inside the castle
Time: Straight after scene six
Events: Macbeth second guesses himself and his wife to kill the king, Macbeth has changed his mind about assassinating the king. Lady Macbeth argues against his choice and turns him back towards the plan
Quote: “I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on the other” – Macbeth saying he has no true reason to kill the king, only reason is his own ambition and greed.