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William Shakespeare’sWilliam Shakespeare’s
MacbethMacbeth
NotesNotes

Act 1 Scene 1Act 1 Scene 1
 SummarySummary
– The three witches areThe three witches are
introduced. Theyintroduced. They
inform the reader thatinform the reader that
they are going to meetthey are going to meet
with Macbeth.with Macbeth.
 ThemesThemes
– SupernaturalSupernatural
 WitchesWitches
 DefinitionsDefinitions
– Anon – immediatelyAnon – immediately
 Character DescriptionsCharacter Descriptions
– WitchesWitches
 Are they actualAre they actual
supernatural beings?supernatural beings?
 Important LinesImportant Lines
– Fair is foul, foul is fairFair is foul, foul is fair
 AntithesisAntithesis
SettingSetting

Act 1 Scene 2Act 1 Scene 2 SummarySummary
– Duncan is introduced. A soldierDuncan is introduced. A soldier
comes to Duncan to tell him thatcomes to Duncan to tell him that
Macbeth has killed the rebelMacbeth has killed the rebel
Macdonwald. However, the battleMacdonwald. However, the battle
continues as the Norwegian lord begancontinues as the Norwegian lord began
a new assault. He was aided by thea new assault. He was aided by the
Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth was ableThane of Cawdor. Macbeth was able
to defeat them. Duncan orders theto defeat them. Duncan orders the
Thane of Cawdor to be killed and giveThane of Cawdor to be killed and give
Macbeth the title.Macbeth the title.
 Notes or DefinitionsNotes or Definitions
– ThaneThane
 a title of nobility in Scotlanda title of nobility in Scotland
corresponding to that of an earl.corresponding to that of an earl.
– Bellona’s bridegroomBellona’s bridegroom
 Bellona was a goddess of war andBellona was a goddess of war and
sister of mars.sister of mars.
– NaveNave
 navelnavel
– ChapsChaps
 jawsjaws
– DuncanDuncan
 Seems to be in controlSeems to be in control
– MacbethMacbeth
 Even though we don’t meetEven though we don’t meet
him, we learn about him.him, we learn about him.
 Brave soldier, loyal to hisBrave soldier, loyal to his
country.country.
– And with his former title greetAnd with his former title greet
Macbeth.Macbeth.

 SummarySummary
– The witches appear again. They give 3The witches appear again. They give 3
predictions to Macbeth and one topredictions to Macbeth and one to
Banquo. Scarcely have the predictionsBanquo. Scarcely have the predictions
been made than Ross and Angusbeen made than Ross and Angus
arrive to tell Macbeth that he has beenarrive to tell Macbeth that he has been
made Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth andmade Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and
Banquo react differently. BanquoBanquo react differently. Banquo
recognizes evil as such but Macbeth isrecognizes evil as such but Macbeth is
now encouragement to put further trustnow encouragement to put further trust
in them.in them.
 Themes or SymbolismThemes or Symbolism
– Symbolism of FearSymbolism of Fear
 Notice how Macbeth gets afraid whenNotice how Macbeth gets afraid when
the witches mention he will be King.the witches mention he will be King.
This symbolism is associated with theThis symbolism is associated with the
main theme of the play which is gradualmain theme of the play which is gradual
ruin of a man through his yielding toruin of a man through his yielding to
evil.evil.
– Theme of DarknessTheme of Darkness
 Witches 0 goes back to scene 1.Witches 0 goes back to scene 1.
– MacbethMacbeth
 His ambition begin to work at him.His ambition begin to work at him.
– BanquoBanquo
 Loyal to the kingLoyal to the king
 Not influenced by predictionsNot influenced by predictions
– So foul and fair a day have not seenSo foul and fair a day have not seen
 ParadoxParadox
– Present fears are less than horriblePresent fears are less than horrible
imaginingsimaginings

 SummarySummary
– Malcolm is describing theMalcolm is describing the
execution of the thane ofexecution of the thane of
Cawdor. Macbeth and BanquoCawdor. Macbeth and Banquo
enter and are thanked byenter and are thanked by
Duncan for their loyalty andDuncan for their loyalty and
service. He promises toservice. He promises to
reward them with morereward them with more
honours. Duncan then nameshonours. Duncan then names
his son Malcom as the heir tohis son Malcom as the heir to
the throne (Prince ofthe throne (Prince of
Cumberland). As an honour toCumberland). As an honour to
Macbeth, Duncan invitesMacbeth, Duncan invites
himself and the court tohimself and the court to
Macbeth’s castle. MacbethMacbeth’s castle. Macbeth
leaves immediately of theleaves immediately of the
castle but he is upset thatcastle but he is upset that
Malcolm has been named heir.Malcolm has been named heir.
– MacbethMacbeth
 Notice his ambition 0 he isNotice his ambition 0 he is
upset that he is not heir to theupset that he is not heir to the
throne.throne.
– DuncanDuncan
 Not a good judge of characterNot a good judge of character
– trusted Thane of Cawdor who– trusted Thane of Cawdor who
was a traitor.was a traitor.
There’s no artThere’s no art
To find the mind’s construction inTo find the mind’s construction in
the face.the face.

 SummarySummary
– Lady Macbeth is reading a letterLady Macbeth is reading a letter
her husband has sent telling herher husband has sent telling her
about the prophecies and theirabout the prophecies and their
partial fulfillment. She expressespartial fulfillment. She expresses
her determination that the thirdher determination that the third
prophecy will also come true.prophecy will also come true.
However, she also believes thatHowever, she also believes that
Macbeth is not capable of theMacbeth is not capable of the
direct action required – the murderdirect action required – the murder
of Duncan – and decides she mustof Duncan – and decides she must
spur him on.spur him on.
– A messenger arrives with the newsA messenger arrives with the news
that Duncan is on his way tothat Duncan is on his way to
Inverness. She knows this will beInverness. She knows this will be
an ideal opportunity to carry outan ideal opportunity to carry out
her plan and wants her femininityher plan and wants her femininity
to be replaced with evil.to be replaced with evil.
– Macbeth arrives.Macbeth arrives.
– Lady MacbethLady Macbeth
 Notice how cruel she is.Notice how cruel she is.
 She takes control.She takes control.
– Unsex me here …Unsex me here …
– Yet I do fear thy natureYet I do fear thy nature

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