Macbeth Act 1
Directions: Answer the following questions as we read/watch Act 1. Provide textual evidence to
support your answer. Click here to access the weekly slides containing video summaries of the
scenes. Click on the scene title to access the digital text.
Scene 1 (Watch)
1. Sc. 1: What happens in this scene, and what is the purpose of introducing the play in
this way? What mood does it create?
The witches plan to peet macbeth. The play will be chaotic/ unfair. The mood is anxious and
ominous.
Scene 2
Summary: At a military camp near his palace at Forres, King Duncan of Scotland asks a
wounded captain for news about the Scots’ battle with the Irish invaders, who are led by the
rebel Macdonwald. The captain, who was wounded helping Duncan’s son Malcolm escape
capture by the Irish, replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo fought with great
courage and violence. The captain then describes for Duncan how Macbeth slew the traitorous
Macdonwald. As the captain is carried off to have his wounds attended to, the thane of Ross, a
Scottish nobleman, enters and tells the king that the traitorous Thane of Cawdor has been
defeated and the army of Norway repelled. Duncan decrees that the Thane of Cawdor be put to
death and that Macbeth, the hero of the victorious army, be given Cawdor’s title. Ross leaves to
deliver the news to Macbeth.
2. Sc.2: What title does Macbeth get from King Duncan and why?
King Duncan bestows the title of Thane of Cawdor on Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 2. This
title is bestowed upon Macbeth in recognition of his valor and bravery in combat, as
he valiantly fought against the Norwegian invaders and vanquished the rebel
Macdonwald. As a reward for Macbeth's devotion and valor, Duncan chooses to
execute the previous Thane of Cawdor once it was discovered that he was a traitor.
Scene 3 (Read/Watch)
3. How would you characterize the Witches? Why does this matter? What role might they
play in this story?
The witches seem evil end enjoy torture which means they might torture macbeth
4. List the three ways Macbeth is greeted by the Witches. What do these greetings mean
for Macbeth’s future? How does Macbeth respond to the encounter with the Witches?
Macbeth Act 1
The witches call Macbeth Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and the future king. Macbeth is
afraid- being king means power but also means the king would have to die.
5. What are the prophecies made about Banquo? How does Banquo’s response contrast
Macbeth’s? Why does this contrast matter to the play?
Banquo will be lesser but greater and unhappier but happier than Macbeth. His sons will be
kings. At first, he is excited, but now he thinks the witches might be trying to trick or torture
them. A conflict might arise between these two besties.
Scene 4
Summary: At the king’s palace, Duncan hears reports of Cawdor’s execution from his son
Malcolm, who says that Cawdor died nobly, confessing freely and repenting of his crimes.
Macbeth and Banquo enter with Ross and Angus. Duncan thanks the two generals profusely for
their heroism in the battle, and they profess their loyalty and gratitude toward Duncan. Duncan
announces his intention to name Malcolm the heir to his throne. Macbeth declares his joy but
notes to himself that Malcolm now stands between him and the crown. Plans are made for
Duncan to dine at Macbeth’s castle that evening, and Macbeth goes on ahead of the royal party
to inform his wife of the king’s impending arrival.
6. Sc. 4: What does Macbeth realize here, and how might it add a layer to his character
(how does he develop or change in some way; think personality traits)?
Macbeth realizes that now king Duncan and his son, Malcolm, have to die for him to be king.
Macbeth has to close between staying loyal to the king or becoming cunning enough to kill.
Scene 5 (Read/Watch)
Directions: Read Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy below, and highlight any words or phrases
that indicate tone in YELLOW.
Lady Macbeth’s Soliloquy
The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty. Make my blood thick.
Stop up the access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Macbeth Act 1
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark
To cry “Hold, hold!”
7. Which words and phrases in Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy have strong connotations? What
tone do these words create?
Lady macbeth says, “smoke of hell” and “murdering ministers” indicating a devious, demonic,
and commanding tone.
8. What do we learn about Lady Macbeth through her monologue? What are her
desires/ambitions?
She wants to become Queen which means she like power. She is definitely manipulative and
willing to kill.
9. In the following quote, what does Lady Macbeth tell her husband to act like? Why is a
serpent an appropriate comparison? Who do you think is more like a serpent—Macbeth
or Lady Macbeth? Why?
“Bear welcome in your eye,/Your hand, your tongue. Look like the innocent flower,/But
be the serpent under't. He that's coming/Must be provided for; and you shall put/This
nights great business into my dispatch”
She tells him to act sweet. The serpent is appropriate because it is a sign of betrayal and
temptation. Lady macbeth is more like the serpent because she is going to persuade
macbeth.
Scene 7 (Read)
10. Re-read Macbeth’s soliloquy. What reasons does he give to not kill Duncan? Identify
one reason Macbeth gives TO murder Duncan. (Read)
Reasons to not kill the king:
1. Macbeth feels it is his duty to protect Duncan, not harm him, especially as Duncan’s
kinsman and subject.
Macbeth Act 1
2. He worries that killing Duncan will bring chaos and sorrow to Scotland, as Duncan is a
good and just ruler.
3. Macbeth fears that committing this murder will set a dangerous example, encouraging
violence and betrayal among others.
Reason to kill him: ambition
11. How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to go through with the assassination?
Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth a coward, questions his manhood and courage, and
demands that he demonstrate his ambition in order to convince him to carry out the
assassination. She also reassures him by outlining a strategy and persuading him
that, with enough courage, they can succeed.
