2. ACT 1 SCENE 1
“THE WITCHES MEET”
In the first scene of the entire
play, the three witches meet and
decide a time and place to tell
Macbeth their prophecies. This
plays an important part of
Macbeth as this scene foreshadows
what awaits Macbeth, the
audience will know what to
expect and Macbeth will not.
Even though it is not said why
they must meet Macbeth, the
audience can pick up hints of
what is to come. When the witches call out to their familiars “I come, Graymalkin!”, “Paddock
calls.” and “Anon.” (I.i.9-11) this gives the audience the inkling that these three women are
supernatural, as they are calling back to their familiars, spirits in the form of animals.
3. This scene in Macbeth gives the audience background information
on the battle and the revolt. King Duncan expresses relief when
he says “O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!” (I.ii.24) which tells
us who the battle is in favor of. We also find out that the Thane
of Cawdor is a traitor to the King and that he will be replaced by
Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, as he had killed many in battle
and is brave as Ross says “For brave Macbeth – well he deserves
that name –” (I.ii.16). There is an irony in this scene that will
soon show in the next scene, as audience we are already informed
that Macbeth is to be announced Thane of Cawdor.
ACT 1 SCENE 2
“THE TRAITOR”
4. ACT 1 SCENE 3
“FATE & DESTINY”
This scene from what I am aware is one of the most spoken
about scenes because of Shakespeare‟s use of fate. In
Shakespearean time people were very superstitious and believed
in witches and the supernatural powers they have.
Macbeth alongside Banquo meet the witches. Of course we
knew this was bound to happen as we listened to what the
witches had to say in Act 1 Scene 1. Banquo is the first to
mention the presence of these three weird looking women with
his remark “What are these So withered, and so wild in their
attire,” (I.iii.39-40). Macbeth doesn‟t say much when the witches
are seen and he looks more prepared to accept what the witches
have to say. Banquo also mentions the witches “choppy finger
laying” (I.iii.44) on her lips after he talked about their unfamiliar looks. The reason the witches put their
fingers upon their lips in response to Banquo may suggest they want to speak to Macbeth, not him. Macbeth,
curious to know what they have to say requests them to “Speak, if you can. What are you?” (I.iii.48). The
three witches hail Macbeth giving him titles he was not yet rewarded. If you notice closely, after they hail him
Thane of Cawdor, when they hail him King, they say “hereafter!” (I.iii.50). Meaning they have not exactly lied
to him, however they mislead him as they delivered the news of his new title as opposed to telling him he will
be King after he is given the news. The play may have taken a different course if they were to tell him once he
was already told he was Thane of Cawdor. Anyhow, once the witches tell Macbeth his future, Banquo points
out Macbeth‟s reaction to the prophecies and states “Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear
5. Things that do sound so fair?” (I.iii.51-52) questioning his shock to the witches words. From how
Banquo states this it almost seems like he is wondering if Macbeth is taking the prophecies into
real consideration and is baffled by the thought. As an audience reading Macbeth, this is the
starting point of the story because it is the part where Macbeth‟s fate is questioned by
himself, Banquo and possibly the witches. Another key part to note in this scene is that Banquo is
addressed to by the witches with riddles as opposed to the clear statements they gave Macbeth. In
the quote “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (I.iii.67) the witches suggest he will
become the ancestor of kings which brings into view that his sons are potential heirs to the
throne. Macbeth becomes more and more indulged in the prophecies and demands “Stay you
imperfect speakers, tell me more.” (I.iii.70) although the witches vanish once he completes
talking. Soon after Ross arrives to deliver the news to Macbeth about the Thane of Cawdor.
Before he does this he summarizes his last conversation with the King regarding Macbeth‟s
performance on the battlefield. He states “Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, Strange
images of death.” (I.iii.96-97) this is a comment he makes about Macbeth describing him as a
brave person for not being frightened by the glimpse of the bodies of the men he has just
killed, this is an important line that should be noted for later events to come as later on, Macbeth
becomes frightened when he is faced with the death of the King who he kills himself.
ACT 1 SCENE 3
“FATE AND DESTINY” (CONT’D)
6. At this stage we find out that the execution to the Thane of Cawdor has been
witnessed to confirm his death. King Duncan says something regarding his
bitter feeling about putting his trust in others “There‟s no art To find the
mind‟s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An
absolute trust.” (I.iv.11-13). The King knows that you cannot truly know
someone based upon the way they present themselves and states that there is
no skill that can enable anyone to know a persons true intentions. This is a
little humorous as Macbeth walks in and the King becomes excited at his
arrival, little does he know he will soon be betrayed by his “worthiest
cousin!”(I.iv.14). When Macbeth speaks in response to Duncan‟s thanks, he
speaks very modestly claiming he was only doing his job. Macbeth also shows
that he is aware of the importance of stable relationships whether it be in
family relationships or in state relationships, in which he is soon to break…
ACT 1 SCENE 4
“FORRES”
7. Macbeth‟s last few words to the audience from scene four tells the audience how evil
his desires are, and shows that he is trying to stray away from thoughts of what he‟s
committed himself to. In the letter Lady Macbeth reads aloud in scene five he sounds
far more confident as he says “Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.” (I.v.13) which
translates to „consider well what I have written‟. He expresses so much more belief in
this letter than he does in the previous scene. Although his letter to his lady comes
across as bold, Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth “is too full o‟ th‟ milk of human
kindness” and that his weakness will get in the way of his ambition. She takes his letter
as a promise stating “and shalt be What thou art promis‟d.” (I.v.14-15). By the end of
the letter, Lady Macbeth reads, “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, And chastise
with the valour of my tongue” (I.v.26-27) the planned conspiracy against the King has
already started to shatter his character. This line in the letter equally has an affect on
Lady Macbeth as this brings out her unfeminine, aggressive instincts encouraging her
line “unsex me here…Make thick my blood, Stop up th‟ access and passage to
remorse…And take my milk for gall,” (I.v.41-48).
ACT 1 SCENE 5
“INVERNESS”
8. By saying these things she implies that she wants to become more manly, evil
and remorseless. Metaphorically, she wants to trade her “sweet” milk for
“bitter” gall. This prayer to herself shows an intense desire to be rid of her
sensitive qualities. There is a significant resemblance in her last couple of lines
before Macbeth enters to Macbeth‟s “Stars hide your fires” (I.iv.50-53).
“Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell” (I.v.50-51)
shows that her prayer has more determination to welcome the night and it‟s
darkness in comparison to Macbeth‟s “Stars, hide your fires;” (I.iv.50) lines.
Their level of determination is evidently on completely different levels when
Macbeth enters to hear Lady Macbeth‟s excited comment “Thy letters have
transported me beyond…” (I.v.56) that their plan was settled and that in
theory, the crown is already theirs. Macbeth shows a different level of
determination by his reluctance to address that topic.
ACT 1 SCENE 5
“INVERNESS” (CONT’D)
9. There is an irony throughout this scene as an innocent King Duncan is delightful to be
a guest at Inverness commenting on such generous hospitality. The King naively does
not get the inkling of any suspicion in Lady Macbeth‟s over the top greetings‟ use of
words. Macbeth‟s soliloquy gives his character the opportunity to speak how he feels
without the influence of another characters presence. He argues to himself and is
possibly muttering, indecisively in lines 1-28 in scene 7. He simply makes a convincing
case against his conspiracy to murder King Duncan. Macbeth‟s human kindness is
revealed in this scene and is exactly how Lady Macbeth predicted him to be in Act 1
Scene 5. Of course Lady Macbeth comes in and bluntly questions her husbands
absence. Macbeth decides to tell her about his new thoughts which makes her even
more furious. She tells him that if she swore a promise like he did, she would have
followed through using an example of smashing an innocent baby‟s head in lines 54-
58. Because Lady Macbeth is so dominant in what she has had to say, this causes
Macbeth to feebly ask “If we should fail?” (I.vii.59), setting her off even more. Lady
Macbeth looks so brave at this point in Macbeth. They finally decide to plot all evidence
on the drunk guards to cover up their mess. Macbeth ends the scene with a metaphor
“I am settled and bend up.” I.vii.80) meaning like an archer, he is preparing to fire.
ACT 1 SCENE 6 & 7
“HOSTING KING DUNCAN”
10. This scene creates a horrifying atmosphere approaching the murder and
expresses some differences between Banquo and Macbeth. Banquo brings up
that he “…dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters,” (II.i.20) and tells
Macbeth “To you they have show‟d some truth.” (II.i21) referring to the
witches prophecies. Macbeth defensively claimed that he had not been
thinking about them but suggests to spare time to talk with Banquo about
them. It is obvious that Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth‟s incentives as he
does not want to commit himself to a conversation. Perhaps Banquo is
waiting to see what is in store for his sons? In Macbeth‟s pre-murder soliloquy
(the first part), this is where he is in his subconscious state of mind. He sees a
dagger in which he questions “Is this a dagger I see before me,” (II.i.33) and
then he goes off and kills Duncan.
ACT 2 SCENE 1
“THE FLOATING DAGGER”
11. Lady Macbeth had been busy getting drunk whilst Macbeth was off murdering the King.
You can note that she had to have a couple of drinks to give her that “fire” (II.ii.2). This
shows that Lady Macbeth is weaker than she appears to be because she resorted to alcohol.
Even though she had so much artificial courage, she still was frightened by the owl‟s
scream. This is interesting that Shakespeare incorporated the owl into Macbeth because an
owl‟s cry is supposedly is a sign of an upcoming death. When Macbeth enters and his wife
cries “My husband!” (II.ii.13) there is more than one possibility of what emotions she is
expressing i.e. Admiration? Shock? Anticipation? Etc. The conversation is so off balance, I
think the audience would feel some tension. Later on Macbeth tells his wife “…it cried
„Sleep no more‟ to all the house;” (II.ii.41), of course Lady Macbeth‟s artificial courage
causes her to bitterly snap “Go get some water And wash your filthy witness from your
hand.” (II.ii.46-47). It‟s ironic Lady Macbeth says this because in act 5, she is the one who
says “What, will these hands ne‟er be clean?” (V.i.40) as she thoroughly wrings her hands
under running water in her sleep. Lady Macbeth gives up with trying to focus Macbeth,
taking the bloody daggers away and sending him to their chamber. When Lady Macbeth
meets back with him Macbeth she accuses him of being a coward and lectures him. The
confidence she has now will not last very long though.
ACT 2 SCENE 2
“ARTIFICIAL COURAGE”
12. The most important part of these scenes is that Macbeth
ACT 2 SCENE 3-4
“IT WASN’T ME”
