28th February 2017

MACbeth Act One – Shakespeare

Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

Characters: The Three Witches

Location: A desert place

Time: Unknown (before the end of a battle)

Events: The witches are planning to meet after the end of a battle. They plan to see Macbeth on the heath.

Quote:

  • “Fair is foul and foul is fair” – paradox

Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Characters: King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lenox, Captain, Rosse, Angus

Location: A camp near Forres

Time: Unknown (Between a war Scotland and Norway)

Events: There is a captain bleeding with harsh news about the war between Scotland and Norway. Angus and Rosse enter the camp after the captain left with aid with news about Macbeth and Banquo winning for Scotland. Duncan is willing to meet with Macbeth after his impressive victory over the Norwegians.

Quote/s:

  • “As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion”
  • “But I am faint; my gashes cry for help”

Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

Characters: Three Witches, Macbeth, Banquo, Rosse, Angus

Location: Heath

Time: Unknown (After the Scotland vs Norway war)

Events: The Witches have met with Macbeth to worship his grace of being the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and his partner, Banquo, are confused by this worshipping. After the witches vanish, Banquo says that not only his sons will be king, but Macbeth will be king also. Soon Rosse and Angus enter to tell Macbeth to see King Duncan after his glorious victory.

Quotes:

  • “So foul and fair a day I have never seen”
  • “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater”

Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

Characters: King Duncan, Malcolm, Lenox, Macbeth, Banquo, Rosse, Angus

Location: King Duncan’s palace

Time: Long time after war between Scotland and Norway

Events: King Duncan has meet Macbeth at last and is congratulating his victory for this part of the war. He wishes to reward Macbeth greatly, but Macbeth is too worthy and is more reliable without one’s rewards. Duncan wishes Macbeth the best of luck in the future.

Quotes:

  • “The Prince of Cumberland!- That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap for in my way it lies.”
  • “The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be.”

Act 1, Scene 5 Summary

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Messenger

Location: A room in Macbeth’s castle

Time: Far after Scotland vs Norway war

Events: Lady Macbeth received a letter from Macbeth. She recites a nobel speech about her changing to a male to kill Macbeth as a manly warrior. After meeting with Macbeth she has her word to kill Duncan instead, but hides it away until further notice.

Quotes:

  • “Thus thou must do, if thou have it”.
  • “Shall sun that morrow see”.

Act 1, Scene 6 Summary

Characters: King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lenox, Macduff, Rosse, Angus

Location: Before King Duncan’s castle entrance

Time: Morning

Events: Duncan meets Lady Macbeth to tell how great her husband is worthy of for him. She keeps her secret of killing Duncan to make Macbeth king.

No important quotes are used in this scene

Act 1, Scene 7 Summary

Characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth

Location: A room in Macbeth’s castle

Time: Still morning

Events: Macbeth has told Lady Macbeth to stall the plan to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth is enraged by the decision and still admits to do it, but the choice is final.

 

 

 

 

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About Andrew

I am an inspired person who always enjoys lots of different varieties of English study, especially spelling and reading. I am very excited for Year 11 English and hopefully I get to see lots of spelling and reading tasks in the future.

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