Act 1
Adam Coveyduc, Mallory Davis, Coltin Elson, Flannery Head and Natalie Walsh.
Character Analysis –
Major Characters
• Macbeth – Macbeth is the main character of the play. He is the Thane of
Glamis, the new Thane of Cawdor. He is considered to be a noble person
and he is very respected in Scotland. He is a very brave warrior and he is
not afraid of a battle. He is King Duncan’s cousin and Malcolm’s second
cousin. Lady Macbeth is his wife and Banquo is his loyal friend.
• Duncan – Duncan is presently the king of Scotland. He has a lot of power
that Macbeth wants. He is just as noble and respected, if not more, as
Macbeth. He is very nice, friendly and gracious to people, especially to
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth when he is invited into their castle. He is
Malcolm’s father and Macbeth’s cousin. There has been talk that Malcolm
will be crowned king when he abdicates and Macbeth wishes to become
king instead of Malcolm.
Character Analysis –
Major Characters
• Lady Macbeth – Lady Macbeth is a cunning, manipulative
schemer who has a warm, friendly appearance and she wants
to have power. She influenced her husband Macbeth into
murdering Duncan so that he would become king.
• 3 Witches – The 3 witches are the ones who predict
Macbeth’s future. They said that he would become the Thane
of Cawdor and eventually king. They appear to be big
supporters of Macbeth and want him to have lots of power
over Scotland. They don’t communicate with anyone other
than Macbeth and Banquo.
Character Analysis –
Minor Characters
• Malcolm – Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland and the son of Duncan.
He is next line to be king.
• Sergeant – He is one of the captains in charge of the battle. He was
present when Macbeth killed the traitor MacDonwald. He met with King
Duncan to tell him what transpired with the battle.
• Lennox – Lennox is one of the 5 Thanes of Scotland in the play. He is often
with King Duncan and his son Malcolm.
Character Analysis –
Minor Characters
• Ross – Ross is another one of the Thanes of Scotland. He accompanies
Lennox and King Duncan.
• Angus – Angus is the third Thane of Scotland in Act 1. He, along with
Lennox and Ross, accompanied Duncan when he was told about
Macbeth’s victory.
• Banquo – Banquo is Macbeth’s loyal friend. He helped Macbeth fight in
the battle and helped him slay MacDonwald. Macbeth and Banquo met
with the three witches when they told Macbeth of their prophecy.
• Messenger – The messenger delivered a letter to Lady Macbeth which told
her about Macbeth’s accomplishments.
Plot Overviews – Scene 1
• This scene showed three witches having a
premonition of Macbeth becoming king. They
plan to meet with Macbeth after the great
battle is done.
• Important events in this scene are the witches
talking about Macbeth becoming King. This
scene is important because it is
foreshadowing the events to come.
Plot Overviews – Scene 2
• Malcolm brings a bloody soldier to the King. The King wants to know who
the bloody man was. The man was the captain and he talks about how
well Macbeth and Banquo have fought at the battle. He also talks about
how the Norwegians’ began attacking them unexpectedly. Ross and
Lennox, two Thanes of Scotland, enter the scene and speak to Duncan
about how bravely Macbeth fought at the battle. He continued to battle
hard even when feeling outnumbered. They tell Duncan that Macbeth has
slain the Thane of Cawdor. As King, Duncan decides that Macbeth has
proven himself and wants to make him the new Thane of Cawdor.
• This scene shows that Macbeth will be given power and that the
premonitions of the witches are true. This shows the audience that
Macbeth will be given power. This scene exemplifies the bloody nature of
war in the play.
Plot Overviews – Scene 3
• Malcolm brings a bloody soldier to the King. The King wants to know who
the bloody man was. The man was the captain and he talks about how
well Macbeth and Banquo have fought at the battle. He also talks about
how the Norwegians’ began attacking them unexpectedly. Ross and
Lennox, two Thanes of Scotland, enter the scene and speak to Duncan
about how bravely Macbeth fought at the battle. He continued to battle
hard even when feeling outnumbered. They tell Duncan that Macbeth has
slain the Thane of Cawdor. As King, Duncan decides that Macbeth has
proven himself and wants to make him the new Thane of Cawdor.
• This scene shows that Macbeth will be given power and that the
premonitions of the witches are true. This shows the audience that
Macbeth will be given power. This scene exemplifies the bloody nature of
war in the play.
Plot Overviews – Scene 4
• Malcolm brings a bloody soldier to the king. The king wants to know who
the bloody man was. The man was the captain and he talks about how
well Macbeth and Banquo have fought at the battle. He also talks about
how the Norwegians’ began attacking them unexpectedly. Ross and
Lennox, two Thanes of Scotland, enter the scene and speak to Duncan
about how bravely Macbeth fought at the battle. He continued to battle
hard even when feeling outnumbered. They tell Duncan that Macbeth has
slain the Thane of Cawdor. As King, Duncan decides that Macbeth has
proven himself and wants to make him the new Thane of Cawdor.
• This scene shows that Macbeth will be given power and that the
premonitions of the witches are true. This shows the audience that
Macbeth will be given power. This scene exemplifies the bloody nature of
war in the play.
Plot Overviews – Scene 5
• During this scene, Lady Macbeth finds out that King
Duncan is coming to their castle. When Macbeth
arrives he and Lady Macbeth talk of their plan to
insure that Macbeth becomes king. “Great Glamis,
worthy Cawdor, greater than both, by the all-hail
hereafter” (Shakespeare, act 1, scene 5, line 53-54).
This is a moving point in the play because it
introduces the main conflict that the play revolves
around: the plan to make Macbeth king.
Plot Overviews – Scene 6
• Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle. He avows
his love and respect for Lady Macbeth and her
husband. “Conduct me to mine host: we love
him highly, and shall continue our graces
towards him” (Shakespeare, act 1, scene 6,
line 29-30). This demonstrates how Duncan is
a nice guy who does not deserve to be
murdered by someone he loves.
Plot Overviews – Scene 7
• Macbeth is having second thoughts about
going through with the plan to kill Duncan;
Duncan has just honoured him. Lady Macbeth
does not accept to discontinue to plan and
says they can just blame the servants who
they plan on getting drunk. Macbeth agrees
and decides to go through with the plan.
Scene 1: Summary
• This scene is foreshadowing the evil and
tragedy that is to come. Three witches want
to meet with Macbeth.
Scene 1: Quote 1
• Quote: “When shall we three meet again in
thunder, lightning, or in rain?” (lines 1-2)
• The quote was said by the first witch to the other
two witches.
• It is referring to planning when they wish to get
together.
• Is it significant to the play because it sets a dark
and eerie atmosphere and the audience member
can take from this quote that the play is tragic
and creepy based on the weather in the setting.
Scene 2: Summary
• A large battle at Forres is taking place and
Duncan learns from returning soldier that
Macbeth and Banquo won the battle. The
Thane of Cawdor has been killed. Macbeth is
rewarded the title of Thane of Cawdor after
the battle is won.
Scene 2: Quote 1
• Quote: “Till he unseam’d him from the nave to the
chaps, and fix’d his head upon our battlements.” (lines
22-23)
• This was said by the sergeant to Duncan and Malcom.
• He was referring to how gruesomely Macdonwald was
killed.
• It is significant to the play because it illustrates the
goriness of the wars during that time period.
• The audience can gain from this quote that the play is
going to be very brutal and grisly.
Scene 2: Quote 2
• Quote: “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or
memorize another Golgotha.” (lines 40-41)
• The soldier says this to Duncan when he is describing the battle to
him.
The speaker is referring to how horrifically Banquo and Macbeth
are fighting by saying it was similar to Golgotha, where Christ was
crucified.
• This quote is significant to the play because it reinforces the idea of
blood and gore in the play.
• A member of the audience can take from this quote that the
audience during the time the play was written would have been
predominantly Christian.
• They audience can also take that whatever was going on at Forres
was horrendous and primitive.
Scene 2: Quote 3
• Quote: “What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath
won.” (line 69)
• In this quote Duncan is elucidating to Ross how
the deceitful Thane of Cawdor has lost his title; it
has been given to Macbeth.
• It is significant to the play as it shows that the
people of the audience respect Macbeth and feel
he is a noble man who would be a good Cawdor.
• An audience member can take that the villagers
revere him and find him to be a good person.
Scene 3: Summary
• During this scene, the three witches
prophesize Macbeth’s future. They tell
Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will
become the thane of Cawdor and then king.
At first, Macbeth is confused because he
thinks the thane of Cawdor lives, but soon
finds out he is dead and that he indeed has
been titled thane of Cawdor. He worries
about what he will do to become king.
Scene 3: Quote 1
• Quote: “Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make.”
(line 96)
• Ross is speaking about Macbeth to Angus.
• He is referring to how brave Macbeth is and how he
isn’t afraid of dying even though he is killing a lot of
people and is in the middle of a battle.
• It is significant to the play because it shows how
Macbeth is brave and a little reckless in the eyes of the
other characters.
• The audience gets to know Macbeth better and they
learn more about his personality traits based on how
the other characters perceive him.
Scene 3: Quote 2
• Quote: “This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill,
cannot be good: if ill” (lines 130-131)
• This quote was said by Macbeth to himself and
he is referring to the prophecy of the witches.
• It is significant to the play because it foreshadows
what will happen in the future.
• It predicts that the prophecy will turn out to be a
bad thing.
• The audience can predict the future of the play
based on this quote.
Scene 3: Quote 3
• Quote: “Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.” (lines 137138)
• Macbeth is talking to himself about how even with the battles going
on here and how his life in his life he is more fearful of what he is
imagining in his head about what he is capable of doing to become
king.
• This is significant to the play because it is a form of foreshadowing.
Macbeth is thinking to himself about how scary the things he is
willing to do to become king are. Later, he ends up committing an
act of murder; the act he was afraid of when he first imagined it.
• The audience can take from this that Macbeth is conscious about
what he is thinking. He knows right from wrong and is aware that
what he plans to do to become king is evil.
Scene 4: Summary
• Duncan tells Macbeth that his son Malcom
will be the new king. Macbeth then says that
he had to be king and he is afraid of what he
might do.
Scene 4: Quote 1
• Quote: “There’s no art to find the mind’s
construction in the face. He was a gentleman on
who I built and absolute trust.” (lines 12-14)
• Here, Duncan is talking to Malcom about how
you cannot tell if a person is loyal or a traitor
based solely on their looks.
• This is a significant quote because it is an
important life lesson even today.
• The audience can reflect upon and take
something from this quote to apply to their own
lives.
Scene 4: Quote 2
• Quote: “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black
and deep desires.” (lines 50-51)
• Macbeth is speaking to himself referring to how he is
feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and guilty about his
malicious thoughts.
• It holds significance because it is a turning point for his
character because up until now he was pretty much a
nice, respectable guy, but now he is starting to think
horrible things and we can see his weakness.
• The audience members can gain that he does have a
working conscience though.
Scene 4: Quote 3
• Quote: “The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be which
the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (lines 52-53)
• Here, Macbeth is talking to himself referring to the fact
that he knows that what he will do to become king is
wrong but he knows he will do it nonetheless.
• This quote’s significance is that it demonstrates how
Macbeth has a dark side and is capable of committing
evil acts.
• The audience gains a changed point of Macbeth
because they can no see that he is putting his desire to
become king above what he knows to be morally
correct.
Scene 5: Summary
• Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth
informing her of his new title and the witches’
prophecy. She feels he is too soft and kind to
do what it takes to fulfill it; however, she plans
to talk him into doing what he has to do so
that he may become king.
Scene 5: Quote 1
• Quote: “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be
what thou art promis’d. Yet do I fear thy nature; it is
too full of the milk of human kindness.” (lines 14-16)
• Lady Macbeth is talking to herself and referring to how
she wants Macbeth to be king but that he is too nice to
do what he needs to do to become king.
• It is significant because Lady Macbeth is sort of selfish
and power hungry, and she wants her husband to be
higher up, no matter what the cost is.
•
Scene 5: Quote 2
• Quote: “This night is great business into my dispatch;
which shall to all our nights and days to come give
solely sovereign sway and master dom.” (lines 67-69)
• This quote was said by Lady Macbeth to Macbeth and
she is referring to how she is planning on eliminating
Duncan that night and how their lives will be a lot
better after that because they will be royalty.
• It is significant because it shows how greed and
impatience have taken over Lady Macbeth.
• This audience can take that they are going to kill
Duncan pretty quickly and that Lady Macbeth has no
guilt or second thoughts.
Scene 5: Quote 3
• Quote: “To alter favor ever is to fear. Leave all the rest
to me.” (lines 71-72)
• Lady Macbeth is talking to Macbeth and referring to
how Macbeth just needs to act himself and not be
suspicious and she’ll take care of figuring out a surefire
way for him to become king.
• It is significant because it shows how Lady Macbeth is
the evil mastermind behind Macbeth’s acts.
• An audience member could take that Lady Macbeth is
a scheming person who likes to control situations.
Scene 6: Summary
• Duncan and company arrive at Lady Macbeth
and Macbeth’s castle and are greeted very
kindly by Lady Macbeth. She is being kind and
gracious because she is secretly planning to
kill while trying to conceal it.
Scene 6: Quote 1
• Quote: “The love that follows us sometimes is our trouble, which
still we thank as love. Herein I teach you how you shall bid God ild
us for your pains, and thank us for your trouble.” (lines 11-14)
• Here, Duncan is speaking to Lady Macbeth.
• He is referring to how she is kind to have him stay in her castle.
• This is significant to the play because it shows the irony behind Lady
Macbeth’s actions.
• It is ironic because Duncan is thanking her for being kind when in
reality she is planning on killing him.
• The audience members will feel sorry for Duncan because they
know Lady Macbeth is plotting his death and Duncan is innocent
and oblivious. (Dramatic irony).
Scene 7: Summary
• Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Duncan are in
Macbeths home. Macbeth is having second
thoughts about going through with the plan to
kill Duncan but Lady Macbeth convinces him
to do it and the scene ends with Macbeth
deciding to kill King Duncan.
Scene 7: Quote 1
• Quote: “I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do
more, is none”. (line 46-47)
• Macbeth was talking to Lady Macbeth and he is referring to
how he will do everything to become a man to gain respect
and become king, but he does more by cheating his way to
kinghood he is nothing.
• It is significant because it shows that he is not completely evil
on his own, but rather it is his wife that does not have a guilty
conscience.
• The audience can take that Macbeth has doubts about
murdering Duncan. He is scared that if they fail they may be
caught.
Scene 7: Quote 2
• Quote: Who dares receive it other, as we shall make our griefs
and clamour roar upon his death?” (lines 78-79)
• It is said by Lady Macbeth to Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth is referring to how no one will ever suspect her
and Macbeth for Duncan’s murder because they will act like
they are grief stricken when he dies.
• It is significant because it shows that Lady Macbeth is an evil
character and that she has almost no guilt at all.
• The audience can see how sneaky and guiltless Lady Macbeth
is.
Scene 7: Quote 3
• Quote: “I am settled, and bend up each corporal agent to this
terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False
face must hide what the false heart doth know”. (lines 80-84)
• It is said by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth and he is refering to
how he is going to go through with the plan to kill Duncan.
• It is significant because he has finally decided to actually kill
King Duncan.
• The audience can take that even though Macbeth could have
chosen not to kill Duncan his thirst for power made him
decide to go through with the plan.