1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. Scene 6 Notes
LMcB welcomes Duncan to her castle

6. 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