Macbeth Act One

Act One Scene One Setting: Deserted Heath Three witches—Thunder and lightening foreshadow possibility of evil to come Planning to meet again Meet Macbeth—after the battle is lost and won Paradox—FAIR IS FOUL AND FOUL IS FAIR— #20Paradox lit terms booklet: A statement that while apparently self-contradictory is nonetheless essentially true.

Scene Two A Camp Near Forres: King Duncan asks who the “bloody man” Sergeant fought to free Malcolm Sergeant tells his story: Macbeth saves the day!! He fights valiantly, kills Macdonwald

“As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion” Simile: comparing sparrows to Macbeth and eagle to Norwegians Banquo to the hare, lion Norwegians Macbeth and Banquo essentially win the war for King Duncan and Scotland Macbeth is going to get the title of THANE OF CAWDOR (he doesn’t yet know this) Key themes: Fair is Foul Nature and the supernatural

Scene Three The witches meet Macbeth The witches spend their time killing pigs and killing the husbands of chestnut eating women Chops off a sailor’s thumb and carries it around in her pocket HEAR A DRUM (WAR, END OF WAR, MARCHING, VICTORY, ROYALTY)—Macbeth enters at this point Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches—WEIRD SISTERS=FATE

The Predictions The witches give Macbeth and Banquo three predictions each: Macbeth’s predictions: Thane of Glamis (already that) Thane of Cawdor King of Scotland Banquo’s predictions (riddle) Lesser than Macbeth but greater Not so happy yet much happier Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none

Ross tells Macbeth that he is now Thane of Cawdor Macbeth makes his first soliloquy of the play SOLILOQUY (lit terms booklet) #34 A monologue or speech that reveals the innermost thoughts, feelings, and plans of the speaker. It is meant to be overheard by the audience only. -Aside (only the audience hears)

#20 PARADOX: A statement that, while apparently contradictory, actually holds profound truth. Line 131-142—Macbeth reflects on the situation “Cannot be ill, cannot be good…..”Line 143 “If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me” It is key that Macbeth is NOT going to take action to become king—he’s worried, though, that such a prediction came from supernatural beings.

Macbeth Act One Scene 4 -Duncan’s castle -Malcolm, Duncan’s son tells Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor has been killed -Macbeth, Ross, Banquo and Angus enter -Duncan thanks the men graciously for winning the battle -Macbeth responds by saying that service and loyalty are payment enough -metaphor—King Duncan regards his subjects as plants that he nourishes (line 27-33)

-Malcolm is named heir to the throne (named Prince of Cumberland) -IMAGERY: associating Malcolm, Duncan, Banquo with stars and light (goodness) -In this play, light and dark will be KEY images -Line 48-53 * Macbeth asks that his desires be hidden from others because they are black and evil (personification/metaphor) -AMBITION (Macbeth’s ambition—not yet acting upon it)

Scene 5 -Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth—tells what has happened and about the witches (predictions about being king/Cawdor) -L Macbeth says that Macbeth is “too full of the milk of human kindness” line 15-16 * metaphor -L. Macbeth (controlling) wants to influence Macbeth so that he becomes king -L. Macbeth learns that Duncan is coming -L. Macbeth “unsex me here!!!!!” * line 40—associates the masculine with power and control -“Make thick my blood” = give me courage ling 42* -Macbeth enters—L.Macbeth tells him to stop wearing his thoughts on his face *line 60-69* “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it” Be two-faced—evil inside, good outside. SIMILE

Scene Six -Duncan arrives at Inverness -L.Macbeth greets him, but Macbeth is absent

-Macbeth’s soliloquy line 1-27* Scene Seven: -Macbeth’s soliloquy line 1-27* -Thinking about his options for becoming king WHAT TO DO???? -Decides not to murder Duncan…until L. Macbeth starts talking to him… -Macbeth acknowledges that King Duncan stays at his castle with DOUBLE TRUST (Duncan is a relation and Macbeth is his subject—plus Duncan is his guest) - Decides not to murder Duncan -L.Macbeth says that she would kill her own baby if Macbeth asked her to —L. Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into killing Duncan —they will frame Duncan’s own guards by killing the guards, using the guards swords to kill Duncan, then plant the swords back on the guards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC9G_CZVAL8&feature=related