ACT 1 SCENE 1

Characters: Witch 1, 2 and 3

Summary: Three witches gather together to discuss the battle that is starting. They are planning their meeting with Macbeth

Quote: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”

Quote Explained: This quote is saying how looks are deceiving. This means a situation that may seem fair but in reality are foul or vice versa.

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ACT 1 SCENE 2

Characters: King/Captain, Duncan, Malcolm (son of Duncan), Lenox, Rosse

Place: A camp near Forres

Summary: Macbeth has been described as a hero who is brave and loyal after he kills Macdonwald.

Quote: “Doubtful it stood, As two spent swimmers, that do cling together and choke their art

Meaning – Comparing two fatigued swimmers, and each swimmer is trying to prevent themselves from drowning. They are both tired so are trying to kill each other to save themselves.

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ACT 1 SCENE 3

Characters: Witch 1, 2 and 3, Macbeth, Banquo

Location: On a Heath (A space of open land where flowery shrubs grow. High ground)

Summary: Thunder strikes and the three Witches appear again on a heath. The Witches spy Banquo and Macbeth walking to Duncan’s castle. Banquo and Macbeth are really confused when they meet the witches and ask if they are real by asking if they are mortal and if they are even women. The three witches hail Macbeth for bring future King. Banquo asks Macbeth why he is so startled with all the nice things they are saying about him being King. Macbeth is confused because he thinks it is impossible for him to be King of Cawdor because the present King is living and is powerful and rich. The three Witches vanish before telling Banquo and Macbeth anymore. Rosse and Angus pass on what they think is new news fo Macbeth about he is Than of Cawdor. This makes Macbeth think that what the witches said was true about him eventually becoming King. A thought comes into Macbeths head that he should kill Duncan (current King) but this is only said to the audience. When the audience knows something before the other characters in this play it is called dramatic irony.

Simple Summary: The three Witch’s tell Macbeth and Banquo about their future of Macbeth being king and Banquo’s sons being King. Macbeth was then named Thane Of Cawdor which the Witches has predicted earlier. Macbeth now knows he will be King and wants to kill Duncan (The current King)

Quote: “you are lesser than Macbeth but also greater”

Quote Explained: The witches said this to Banquo comparing him to Macbeth. The Witches are saying that he is going to be less than Macbeth regarding title but he will be happier and greater as a person. The next line another Witch says “Not so happy, but yet much happier.” Banquo won’t be as happy as Macbeth because he doesn’t have the opportunity himself to be King but he will still be happier from a different angle because he will be a father of two Kings.

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ACT 1 SCENE 4

Location: Room in Kings Palace.
Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Macbeth, Banquo.

Summary: Malcolm tells his dad Duncan that Cawdor’s has been killed. The King then announces that his son Malcolm will now be the King. Macbeth thinks that Malcolm is the only thing that stands between him and being King. Plans are made for the new king to to dine with Macbeth.

Simple Summary: Duncan awards that his son Malcolm will be next in line to be King. Malcom is the only thing that is in the way of Macbeth’s plan.

Quote: ” For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires!
Let no light see my black, and deep desires;
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be,
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”
– Macbeth

When Macbeth says “let no light see my black, and deep desires” he is using a metaphor. His thoughts aren’t literally dark but are dark as in evil. This is because Malcolm is in his way. In the quote Macbeth is saying this just to the audience (aside.) This is called dramatic irony. This puts the audience in a position where they know something prior to the other characters in the play do.

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ACT 1 SCENE 5

Location: A room in Macbeths castle
Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Messenger,

Summary: Lady Macbeth receives a message from her husband saying how he is going to be King because he is planning on taking out the current King at the dinner party tonight. The messenger comes in and informs Lady Macbeth that Duncan is staying the night for the last time because he will be killed tonight. Lady Macbeth thinks her her husband is too nice to be King.

Simple Summary: Lady Macbeth is told about Macbeth now being the Thane of Cawdor and soon going to be the King. Lady Macbeth doesn’t believe her husband will end up killing Duncan.

Quote: Unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Or direst cruelty! make thick my blood

Quote Summary: Lady Macbeth is mentally preparing for the killing of Duncan tonight. She doesn’t want to be gentle or soft which is stereotype in her time.

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ACT 1 SCENE 6

Location: Outside Macbeths castle
Characters: Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macbeth

Summary: Duncan thanks Lady Macbeth for coming out and meeting him outside before their dinner. Her hospitality is in exchange because Macbeth owes so much to the King.

Quote: