english 11 – macbeth act 1

what type of meter is Macbeth written in? Written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. The witches speak in rhyme to distinguish themselves as ‘different’ and ‘magical’
aside actor speaks directly to audience
soliloquy actor speaks their innermost thoughts
Act 1, Scene 1 Witches are planning something”Fair is foul, foul is fair” –> DECEPTION (major theme)
Witches – weird sisters Weird –> comes from the Anglo Saxon word ‘wyrd’ meaning fate
Act 1, Scene 2 – The Captain gives readers the first image of Macbeth from a description of him in battle – he is a great, loyal, and noble warrior –> “unseemed from the nave to the chops”- Macbeth and Banquo described as “cannons overcharged with double cracks”- Scots are fighting traitors McDonwald and the Thane of Cawdor – Scots win and Macbeth is rewarded with the title “Thane of Cawdor” for his bravery (bravery was also rewarded with money, land, etc.)
Act 1, Scene 3 – witches were killing pigs for fun and recount a story where a witch asked a lady for some chestnuts and she said no, so the witches decide to mess with the woman’s husband’s fate in his travels – witches couldn’t completely change a person’s fate but they could mess with it- Banquo and Macbeth meet witches in woods and the witches give them 3 prophecies each – Macbeth kills McDonwald in battle- Thane of Cawdor captured to be executed – Macbeth will get his title
Macbeth’s prophacies Thane of Glamis – already had this title from his father when he diedThane of Cawdor – gets this title in next sceneKing – ?!?! – Macbeth tells the witches to tell him more, he’s invested
Banquo’s phophacies lesser than Macbeth, but greaternot so happy, but happierwill not be king but his children will – will this cause bloodshed between Macbeth and Banquo’s children? – Banquo hesitant about prophecy
Act 1, Scene 4 – Thane of Cawdor confessed his treasons and repents before being executed – “…he threw away the dearest thing he owned (life) as if it were a trifle” –> shows bravery, king somewhat impressed by this- Duncan’s son Malcolm announced Prince of Cumberland – Macbeth’s soliloquy
Clothing Imagery
Deception Imagery