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.