Macbeth Act 1 Scenes 1-7

Scene 1 In this scene, the three witches meet in Scotland. They discuss having plans to meet Macbeth. The three witches chant “Fair is foul and foul is fair”, and then disappear
Scene 2 A wounded Captain arrives at the castle of King Duncan of Scotland, where him and his two sons, Malcom and Donalbain and Lennox (A Scottish Nobleman are). The Cap. was fighting to help Malcom escape capture. They were losing until they defeated Macdonwald. Macbeth killed him, and the Thane of Ross arrives from another battle, where Macbeth also helped. Duncan says that the Thane of Cawdor will be executed and Macbeth will have the title
Scene 3 The Three witches meet again, when Macbeth approaches they circle and perform a charm. Banquo comes with him, andsays the witches arent from here. The withces say Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future King. Also that Banquo wont be a king, but the Father of Kings. Macbeth wants to know where the witches got the information. Ross comes in and says that the King is pleased with Macbeth, and he is the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth thinks about murdering Duncan.
Scene 4 Duncan wants to know if the Thane of Cawdor is dead (he is). Mac, Banquo, Ross, and Angus meet the King, and Mac and Banquo pledge their loyalty. King says Malcolm will be the prince of Cumberland, and then King of Scotland. Mac thinks about killing Duncan to become king.
Scene 5 Lady Mac gets a letter from Mac. She is worried Mac wont be able to kill the King because he is too nice. A messenger enters and says Duncan will stay the night at Mac’s, and Lady Mac says that she wants to be rid of her womanly qualities to take away her weakness. Mac gets home and Lady Mac says Duncan’s staying over but will die in the night.
Scene 6 Duncan and his sons along with Banquo arrive at Glamis castle, complimenting Lady Mac for her fake hospitality.
Scene 7 Mac contemplates killing Duncan. He is worried about being damned if he does. Thinks it violates hospitality, and thinks that Duncan is a good king. Decided not to until Lady Mac enters. Questions his manhood, and tells the plan. Says he isn’t a man if he doesn’t do it. Mac wants to prove he is a man, so agrees to go through with murdering Duncan.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air Speaker: All witchesContext: chanting before encountering MacbethSignificance: Paradox theme. No moral order. Moral opinion.
Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion Speaker: CaptainContext: Duncan talking to an injured soliderSignificance: This did not bother Macbeth, a sarcastic line
This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, why hath it given me earnest success of commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature. Present fears are less horrible imaginings my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical. Speaker: MacbethContext: Aside: thoughtsSignificance: Paradox. Am I responsible to kill Duncan to be the next king in power? Images of himself killing Duncan.
Are you fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly you show? Speaker: BanquoContext: after seeing the witchesSignificance: Banquo has doubts that the witches are real
Were such things here as we do speak about? Or have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner? Speaker: BanquoContext: Reactions to the witchesSignificance: Are we crazy?
But ’tis strange. And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray ‘s in deepest consequence. Speaker: DuncanContext:Significance: The instruments of darkness, or hell can tell us truths?
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none Speaker: witchesContext: confronting Macbeth and BanquoSignificance: Banquo will not be king, but his kids will be king
There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust. Speaker: DuncanContext: Duncan receives news of Cawdor’s deathSignificance: Theme of deception. Essentially, don’t judge a book by its cover as you don’t know whats going on in their head. Admitting fault of his own that we wasn’t able to kill the king.
The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap for in my way it lies. Speaker: MacbethContext: The Prince of Cawdor was named the inherited kingSignificance: This is a hurdle in Macbeth’s journey to be king. He can’t just sit around and wait for the King to die cause it won’t happen. Has to do something. No wish to sit back and let it happen will come true.
Stars, hide your fires; Let not see my black and deep desires. Speaker: MacbethContext: The Prince of Cawdor was named the inherited king and is covering for his desiresSignificance: He is trying to hide his thoughts by praying for darkness in his apparent emotions.
Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to cath the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition but without the illness should attend it. Speaker: Lady MacbethContext: Thoughts about Macbeth’s letter without Macbeth present.Significance: Macbeth is to kind and without ruthless ness to be evil and do the necessary to be king. He is to kind for power. Wants to be great, but needs cruel desire
Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my toung with that impedes thee from the golden round Speaker: Lady MacbethContext: Thoughts about Macbeth’s letter without Macbeth present.Significance: I will speak to Macbeth to abandon his morals
The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements. Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here Speaker: Lady MacbethContext: Thoughts after learning Duncan is on his way to their castleSignificance: Make me with manly virtues, and I will make sure Duncan is removed allowing me to become king. Theme of Gender Role and Gender Role Reversal
O, never shall sun that morrow see! Your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters…Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t. Speaker: Lady MacbethContext: Duncan is coming to their castleSignificance: Macbeth must look innocent on the outside but be dark on the inside; be deceptive. Kill the king so he doesn’t see morning.
Scene 7 lines 1-28 Speaker: MacbethContext: Argument not to kill DuncanSignificance: 9 reasons to not kill Duncan. 1. Sacrificing chances to go to heaven. 2. Sets precedent of regicide (he will be killed, just like Duncan). 3. They are blood relatives. 4. He is Duncan’ subject and would be disloyal. 5. Duncan is his host. 6. Duncan is a good king. 7. Personal ambition is the only to kill Duncan. 8. Duncan honored him, so Macbeth should enjoy what he has. 9. Macbeth might fail to kill him.
When you durst do it, then you were a man…I have given suck, and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out. Speaker: Lady MacbethContext: Lady Macbeth’s argumentSignificance: If you were truly a man then you would kill Duncan. I am more a man than you; I am ruthless and would kill a baby. Lady Macbeth’s arguments: 1. You’re afraid (coward). 2. Match words with actions; you sent a letter, so act upon it. 3. If you’re a man, then dare to kill Duncan. 4. I am more ruthless. 5. I have a foolproof plan: get his body guards drunk, then kill Duncan.
August 28, 2019