Act I
The witches plan to meet with Macbeth: “Fair is foul...” the line between good and evil Act I, scene i
Macbeth fought bravely against the traitors of the king He gains the additional title of “Thane of Cawdor” Act I, scene ii
Act I, scene iii (p. 9)The witches address Macbeth as: 1.Thane of Glamis 2.Thane of Cawdor 3.King hereafter- Is this a prophetic statement? The witches tell Banquo he is lesser than Macbeth, but he is greater Banquo will never be king, but he “begets kings”
(p. 14) Duncan says that it is difficult to see what people are thinking by looking at their faces Duncan names Macolm his heir Macbeth recognizes that he will either have to give up hope of being king or remove Malcolm from his way Everyone leaves for Inverness, Macbeth’s home Act I, scene iv
(p. 16) “Who wears the pants?” Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth and in it he vows he will become king She fears that Macbeth is too kind to do what it would require to become the king, but she says she will make him do it anyway “Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” Act I, scene v
Duncan arrives at Inverness and finds it pleasant and peaceful (ironic) Lady Macbeth “looks like the innocent flower” when she welcomes Duncan- she calls it an honor Act I, scene vi
Plotting to murder the king “If it were done when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it done quickly” I.vii.1-28 Macbeth contemplates killing Duncan- he says if success were guaranteed, he would kill Duncan and ignore the external consequences He gives these reasons for why he should not kill King Duncan: He is family and he has sworn loyalty to him as the king(line 13) Duncan is his guest and Macbeth should protect him from murderers (15) Duncan has been a good king (18) Act I, scene vii
Macbeth decides not go through with and Lady Macbeth chastises him- she say’s he is not really a man because he has no courage Lady Macbeth tells him to plan the murder: Get the servants drunk Kill Duncan in his sleep Blame the servants Act I, scene vii