1. William Shakespeare Siegen Lange Nathanael Durant Jon Raasch Zachary Berger Act 1, Scene 4

2. Act 1, Scene 4 Summary Duncan receives news that former Thane of Cawdor has been executed. Duncan praises Banquo and Macbeth, and then announces that his son is to succeed him to be king. The king also says that he is to visit Macbeth and his wife at their home. Macbeth quickly returns home to tell Lady Macbeth of the king’s arrival and to prepare for his visit. Macbeth plans to kill Duncan in order to become king.

3. Hidden Meanings, Character Understandings, Historical Info DUNCAN There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face: He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust. Just because someone looks innocent, doesn’t mean that they are. This also foreshadows the betrayal of Macbeth against Duncan. BANQUO Banquo is the foil of Macbeth. He’s kind, lighthearted, and very honest, which in turn, shows how Macbeth is quite the opposite – he’s greedy, selfish, and is ambitious for all the wrong reasons.

4. Quotes DUNCAN There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face: He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust. DUNCAN My plenteous joys, Wanton in fulness, seek to hide themselves In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes, And you whose places are the nearest, know We will establish out estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland; ………… Duncan is saying here that he realizes he was unable to trust the former Thane of Cawdor, which is actually a foreshadow to the betrayal of Macbeth against Duncan. And here, King Duncan says that his son is to become king, which angers Macbeth which causes him to plot against father and son in order to become king.

5. Quotes cont. MACBETH [Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step On which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires; The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. Here, Macbeth is saying that he’s going to have to overthrow King Duncan and his son if he wants to become king.