| Scene i | -awakens curiosity-witches meeting, deciding when to talk to Macbeth-mood: thunder, lightning, rain |
| “Fair is foul and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air” | Said by three witches. Foreshadowing: things will not be as they seem. Good things will appear bad, bad things will appear good |
| Scene ii | -Macbeth kills the rebel Macdonald, this gives him his reputation-He is a war hero-Thane of Cawdor is executed for being a traitor,Macbeth is going to be the new Thane of Cawdor-King Duncan’s judgement is questionable, he puts his trust in people that he shouldn’t |
| Scene iii | -Opens with thunder, symbolic of witches’ bad intentions. Pathetic fallacy-Macbeth’s first line: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”-Macbeth is traumatized by the war (PTSD)-Three greetings to Macbeth: foreshadowing |
| Scene iv | -Thane of Cawdor is executed-Duncan built all his trust on him-Yet automatically names Macbeth new Thane, even though he will soon kill him (irony)-Duncan names Malcom the Prince of Cumberland (an obstacle for Macbeth to overcome if he wants to be king)-Macbeth’s ambition is seen, imagery of darkness |
| Scene v | -Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth is too kind; she is evil-She called upon evil spirits to take away her sex and block out heaven so she can do wicked things-SHE IS UNFEMININE AND UNNATURAL-Tells Macbeth to kill the king -She’s the mastermind behind the plot, and the dominant partner in their relationship |
| Scene vi | -Irony: Duncan thinks Macbeth’s castle is pleasant, but he’s actually never leaving (appearance vs reality)-Duncan calls Lady Macbeth “Fair and noble hostess,” when in reality, she’s a terrible person. Poor judge of character. Dramatic irony, he’s charmed by Lady Macbeth |
| Scene vii | -Three reasons Macbeth has not to go through with the murder:1. He is Duncan’s cousin2. Duncan’s death would arouse an outcry3. Others may follow and kill Macbeth himself |
English — Macbeth — Act 1
September 5, 2019