| Scene 1 | Witches are making a potion, Witches plan to meet Macbeth together after a war (War between Scotland and Norway) |
| Scene 2 | A sergeant arrives at King Duncan’s (King of Scotland) castle, Sergeant says Macbeth (Thane of Glamis) saved Malcolm (Duncan’s oldest son), Sergeant tells them about the war, Macbeth (Scotland) vs. Macdonwald (Norway), Tough war. Macdonwald was winning.Macbeth was brave & ripped Macdonwald in half, King of Norway attacked Scotland, Macbeth and Banquo were not nervous and fought hard, Ross and Angus (Scottish noblemen) arrive from Fife. Say that the Thane of Cawdor is a traitor and will be executed (he is from Scotland, but attacked Scotland and fought for Norway) Macbeth was brave and won the battle. Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor for his bravery |
| Scene 3 | Witches meet again. Witches talk about a sailor’s wife who wouldn’t share chestnuts. Woman called the witch names. Witches are upset so they are going to curse the sailor with a spell. Macbeth and Banquo (Scottish nobleman) arrive to see the witches. The witches give Macbeth prophecies (prediction of the future). Witches say Macbeth will be…Thane of Glamis (he already is), Thane of Cawdor (Duncan is about to give him this title but he doesn’t know it yet), King of Scottland. Banquo requests to hear his own prophecy because he is jealous. Witches say Banquo will be…Lesser than Macbeth, but greater, Not so happy, yet much happier, The father of kings, but will not be king himself (his sons will be king but he won’t). Macbeth questions how he can be Thane of Cawdor and King. He doesn’t believe it. Witches vanish. Ross tells Macbeth that Duncan was happy with him. Ross thanks Macbeth and says Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor for his bravery. Macbeth now thinks it is possible that the prophecy can come true since 2/3 predictions have come true. Banquo tells Macbeth to be careful because it might be too good to be true. Macbeth wonders how he can become king. Macbeth says he will not do anything to interfere with fate. If he is meant to be king, fate will let it happen. |
| Scene 4 | Setting: at King Duncan’s palace. Duncan is upset because he trusted the first Thane of Cawdor. Duncan is grateful for Macbeth’s loyalty and bravery. Macbeth says it is an honor to serve for King Duncan. Duncan names Malcolm as his successor (who will be king after he dies). Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland. Setting: at Macbeth’s castle (Inverness). Duncan is coming to Macbeth’s. Macbeth is upset Malcolm was named heir. Macbeth says he might have to interfere with fate now. Macbeth says he might have to kill the king in order to become king |
| Scene 5 | Setting: at Macbeth’s castle (Inverness). Macbeth writes a letter to Lady Macbeth (his wife) and tells her about the prophecies. Lady Macbeth is worried Macbeth is too nice and doesn’t have what it takes to be king. Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth is a coward and too scared to kill. Duncan and do whatever else he has to in order to be king. Lady Macbeth asks the devil and the spirits to make her tough like a man so that she can murder Duncan. Duncan is coming to the castle and they plan to murder him. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to be nice and act innocent so Duncan doesn’t suspect he is going to be murdered. Lady Macbeth says she will murder Duncan. |
| Scene 6 | Setting: Macbeth’s castle. Duncan comes with many others (Malcolm, Donalbain (his sons), Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus (Scottish noblemen)). Lady Macbeth is being nice to trick King Duncan. King Duncan thanks them for hosting. |
| Scene 7 | Macbeth contemplates killing King Duncan, thinking of all the good and bad things to come out of it. Macbeth thinks about the consequences. Macbeth thinks of the reasons why he should not kill King Duncan. Macbeth is his subject and subjects should never go against their king. Macbeth is his host and should be a kind and welcoming host. King Duncan is a good king that everyone loves Karma. If Macbeth does this bad thing, bad things will happen to him as a result. Macbeth says there is nothing to motivate him to kill but his own ambition. Macbeth decides not to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth a coward and not manly. Lady Macbeth says Macbeth promised he was going to kill King Duncan so he should keep his word. Macbeth is scared, but Lady Macbeth is not scared. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth the plan: Get King Duncan’s guards drunk, Guards will pass out and King Duncan will have no security, Blame the murder on the guards. Macbeth is convinced to kill |
Macbeth Act 1
September 11, 2019