Act 1

MACBETH

MACBETH ACT 1Scene 1

Characters:

The Weird Sisters

Themes:

Fate

Natural and the Unnatural

CHARACTER’S INTRODUCEDTHEMES PRESENT

Paradox:

a statement whose two parts seem contradictory yet make sense with more thought

The three witches speak in an ominous tone

They agree to meet with Macbeth on a plain when the battle is over

THE WITCHES CONVENE

Natural and the Unnatural:

The witches

Witches are not a natural being, they have mystical powers thus making them unnatural

Fate:

The witches decision to meet Macbeth on the field when the battle is over

This shows that even though the battle has yet to end the witches know exactly what will happen and where Macbeth

will be

THEMES

MACBETH ACT 1Scene 2

Characters:

Duncan

Malcolm

Ross

Lenox

Donalbain

Themes:

Violence

Ambition

CHARACTERS INTRODUCEDTHEMES PRESENT

The battle is so violent that the captain is unrecognizable

Macbeth and Banquo are singled out for their bravery

They Defeat Macdonwald, and the traitorous Thane of Cawdor the Norwegian King, Sweno

DUNCAN AND HIS MEN

Ross informs that Norwegian King asks for a truce

Duncan sentences the Thane of Cawdor to death and appoints Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor

Irony?

This is ironic because he is substituting one traitor (The Thane of Cawdor) for another traitor (although no one

knows this yet)

TRAITORS AND TREACHERY

Violence:

The captain’s speech

He is completely covered in blood to the point he is unrecognizable

Macbeth is rewarded for his bravery and called a noble hero(ability to kill)

Ambition:

Duncan rewarding Macbeth

By rewarding Macbeth Duncan is being the opposite of ambitious, but also sets in motion Macbeth’s selfish

ambitions

THEMES

MACBETH ACT 1Scene 3

Characters:

The Weird Sisters

Macbeth

Banquo

Ross

Angus

Themes:

Ambition

Violence

Natural and the Unnatural

Fate

CHARACTERS AND THEMES

The Weird Sisters plot to sabotage a man and woman’s love before meeting with Macbeth

The Sisters:

hail Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Cawdor, and future king

tell Banquo though he will never be king, he will father kings

They vanish before divulging anymore information and Macbeth is informed he is Thane of Cawdor

THE WEIRD SISTERS WITH MACBETH AND BANQUO

The two debate on whether or not they believe the witches

Banquo believes the witches to be evil so they talk in “half-truths”

Macbeth is worried because he is already thinking of killing Duncan

Decides that if he’s to be King then to let fate allow it

The two decide to talk in private when given the chance

MACBETH AND BANQUO

AmbitionMacbeth thinking of killing Duncan

Already Macbeth is thinking of extremes to attain his goal

ViolenceMacbeth killing Duncan

To attain his goal Macbeth has to turn to murder

Natural and the UnnaturalThe witches

Due to the fact that witches aren’t real and able to possess extreme powers

FateThe witches prophecy of Macbeth

Leads to Macbeth having murderous thoughts on how he will attain his goal

Predict he will receive the title of Thane of Cawdor

Macbeth is already worried about killing and what hi ambition will have him do

THEMES

MACBETH ACT 1Scene 4

CharactersDuncan

Malcolm

Macbeth

Banquo

ThemesAmbition

Fate

Nature and Unnatural

CHARACTERS AND THEMES

After being told of the former Thane of Cawdor’s confession, King Duncan says that you can not trust a man

based on outward appearance

Duncan tells Macbeth he deserves more than just the title

Duncan announces that Malcolm is heir to the Scottish throne and that he will spend the night at Macbeth’s

DUNCAN AND HIS MEN

Macbeth sees Malcolm’s new title as a obstacle to his course

Macbeth asks the stars to be dim to hide his desire

MACBETH

Ambition

Macbeth’s thoughts of Malcolm in his way

Fate

Malcolm is blocking Macbeth’s fate

Nature and Unnatural

Nature is used to make analogies throughout the chapter

THEMES

MACBETH SCENE 1Act 5

Characters

Lady Macbeth

Servant

Macbeth

Themes

All

CHARACTERS AND THEMES

Lady Macbeth worries Macbeth is too kind and honorable to fulfill his ambition and the prophecy

She decides to question his manhood to make him act

Decides that Duncan’s visit will be fatal

LADY MACBETH

Lady Macbeth says Duncan will never see that day

She counsels Macbeth to look like an "innocent flower," but be the viper hiding beneath it

Assures him she will take care of everything

MACBETH AND LADY MACBETH

Ambition

Lady Macbeth’s decision to act

Violence

Lady Macbeth’s plan to kill Duncan

Natural and the Unnatural

Lady Macbeth asks to be turned into a fiend

The killing of Duncan

Fate

The reading of the prophecy

Manhood

Lady Macbeth decides to question Macbeth’s manhood to get him to act

THEMES

MACBETH ACT 1Scene 6

Characters:

Banquo

Lady Macbeth

Duncan

Themes:

Nature and the Unnatural

Manhood

CHARACTERS AND THEMES

Duncan notices the beauty of the castle and sweetness of the air

Banquo takes note of a bird that usually nests in church having a nest in the castle

Lady Macbeth greets them alone

DUNCAN’S ARRIVAL

Nature and Unnatural

The description of the castle

Manhood

Lady Macbeth greets them alone as Macbeth is still bothered by the plan

THEMES

MACBETH ACT 1Scene 7

Characters:

Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

Themes:

Ambition

Fate

Violence

Manhood

CHARACTERS AND THEMES

If only killing Duncan is where it would end

Macbeth knows that the murder will destroy him

Duncan has given Macbeth great honors, and his a fair king

Ambition is not enough to justify the murder

Everyone would be upset over Duncan’s death

MACBETH ALONE

3 types of persuasion

Ethos (ethical appeal), Logos (logic), and Pathos (emotions)

Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth’s manliness

Tells Macbeth they will not fail in their plot and details the plan

Macbeth agrees to participate in the end

LADY MACBETH’S PERSUASION

Ambition

Lady Macbeth convincing her husband to follow through

Fate

Macbeth knows what will happen if he follows through

Manhood

Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth’s

Violence

To get what they want they must kill

THEMES