Act 1 Plot Flashcards
Act 1 Scene 1
The Three Witches or ‘Weird Sisters’ gather in a thunderstorm to meet Macbeth
Act 1 Scene 2
Duncan hears reports of the battle against Norway and Ireland from a wounded Captain. Macbeth proves himself as a hero by attacking and murdering the traitorous Macdonwald. The treachery of the Thane of Cawdor is told to Duncan and he is sentenced to death. Macbeth is given his title as Thane of Cawdor.
Act 1 Scene 3
Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches and they tell Macbeth the three prophecies: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King hereafter. Macbeth is shocked at the news as he knows he is already Thane of Glamis but knows he can not be Thane of Cawdor because the Thane of Cawdor still lives (he does not yet know he is a traitor). Banquo is then given his prophecies that he will not be King but his children shall be. When Macbeth asks for more information, the Witches disappear. Ross then arrives and confirms Macbeths title as Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and Banquo are both shocked and in denial. Macbeth talks quietly away from the others about how he could possibly become King and what he might have to do to become it quicker, so he starts planning to murder Duncan.
Act 1 Scene 4
Duncan decides to make his son Malcolm Prince of Cumberland and heir to the throne and tells Macbeth that he will visit the castle that night. Macbeth is shocked by the sudden news of Malcolm’s new title and says that he would have to murder both Malcolm and Duncan if he wanted to become King.
Act 1 Scene 5
Lady Macbeth reads a letter form her husband about his encounter with the Witches. She makes up her mind to help murder Duncan because she fears that Macbeth is too kind hearted to do it by himself. She calls upon evil spirits to make her less womanly, make her thoughts evil and dark and stop her passage to remorse so she won’t feel any guilt for the acts she is going to commit. She finds out that Duncan will be coming to the castle that very day and decides that the murder must be done tonight.
Act 1 Scene 6
Duncan arrives at Macbeths castle and is welcomed by Lady Macbeth, who is pretending to be a kind and honourable hostess.
Act 1 Scene 7
Macbeth decides he cannot go through with the murder but Lady Macbeth persuades him to change his mind and he ends up agreeing with her plan.