Act I

 Three Witches appear on a heath (an open field) in the midst of a darkening storm.  Remember: Shakespeare is writing this play during the reign of King James I of England. King James I despises witches and witchcraft and has even written a pamphlet called Daemonologie about its evils.  The Witches agree to meet after the battle to stir up trouble.

 Use of Familiars (cats and toads)  First Witch: “I come, Graymalkin.” A “Graymalkin” is the name of a gray cat that serves the witch. Witches were thought to be able to transform into cats to do evil.  Second Witch: “Paddock calls.” A paddock is a toad, or another witch familiar.

 King Duncan receives word from a wounded Captain about Macbeth’s prowess on the battlefield and the subsequent victory.  King Duncan orders Ross, a nobleman, to address Macbeth with the title: Thane of Cawdor  Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis, and with Cawdor under his belt he is a wealthy and powerful noble.

 Upon a heath (a deserted place), the Three Witches address both Banquo and Macbeth.  They call Macbeth “Thane of Cawdor” and say he will have a fruitless (childless) crown, while Banquo will be the father of many kings, yet not wear the crown himself.

 “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate.” (Act I, scene iii, 59-63)  What is this Motif? Virtue promotes natural growth while evil stunts its growth.  How is this meant to reinforce King James I’s rule?

 Atmosphere-set in a desolate heath amidst a storm  Motif-Borrowed or ill-fitting clothes. This suggests that Macbeth takes what is not his, and it’s a bad fit.  “The Thane of Cawdor lives: Why do you address me in borrowed robes?” Act III, scene iii lines

 At King Duncan’s Palace, King Duncan, his son and heir Malcolm (Prince of Cumberland), and his younger son Donalbain greet Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus.  An example of dramatic irony occurs between lines when King Duncan says, “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face: He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust. [enter Macbeth] O worthiest cousin!”  Macbeth contemplates murder and invites the king and his entourage to stay at his Castle at Iverness.

 At Iverness, Lady Macbeth reads aloud the letter her husband has sent her.  The letter is in prose and serves as exposition.  She knows Macbeth is not ruthless enough to murder Duncan, so she plans to goad him into it.  “Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without the illness to attend it.” (Act I, scene v, lines 17-19).

 The audience has just heard Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plotting to murder King Duncan in the previous act.  Dramatic Irony presents itself when the King and Banquo discuss Iverness as a church, or summer home. (I.vi.1-10).  Banquo reintroduces the natural growth motif by referring to the castle as a “cradle” for nesting birds.  Lady Macbeth greets King Duncan and his entourage graciously. She has her ruthlessness masked by humble speech to the king.

 Macbeth contemplates the fallout of Duncan’s murder and tells Lady Macbeth that the deal is off.  “We will proceed no further in this business. He hat honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people.”  Lady Macbeth is not having it…she calls him a coward for not committing the most cowardly act imaginable…killing Duncan as he sleeps.  She succeeds in swaying him to it, yet Shakespeare leaves the audience with a deceptive comment by Macbeth: “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (I.vii.82).