Act 1 Scenes 1 & 2 Notes A war in Scotland is just about to end. The King’s army has just squashed an uprising In Scene 2 we see the end of the war Malcolm and Donalbain are the king’s sons The King’s name is Duncan Macbeth is a Thane (Duke) Ross and Lennox and Thanes Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis The Thane of Cawdor led the uprising assisted by the King of Norway and his trrops In Scene 1 we meet 3 witches who say they are going to meet with Macbeth after the war is over
Scene 3 Notes 3 witches meet Macbeth and Banquo Banquo is a thane and Macbeth’s best friend The witches greet Macbeth and Banquo in very mysterious ways The witches also give Macbeth and Banquo prophesies The prophesies cause Macbeth to consider some evil things
Scene 4 Notes Macbeth and Banquo go to the king’s castle The king names Malcolm as heir to the throne There are some asides (asides are the character’s thoughts to themselves)
Scene 5 Notes Scene opens with Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s wife) reading a letter from him Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth is not cold-hearted enough to do what he promises Lady Macbeth has a soliloquy LMcB begins to “coach” McB
Scene 6 Notes LMcB welcomes Duncan to her castle
Scene 7 Notes Opens with McB debating whether to do it or not McB tries to back out of it (pay close attention to LMcB’s response) After Act 1 be sure to complete the chart on McB