MACBETH
Act 1
MACBETH ACT 1
Scene 1
CHARACTER’S INTRODUCED
THEMES PRESENT
Characters:
The Weird Sisters
Themes:
Fate
Natural and the Unnatural
THE WITCHES CONVENE
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
THEMES
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
MACBETH ACT 1
Scene 2
CHARACTERS INTRODUCED
THEMES PRESENT
Characters:
Duncan
Malcolm
Ross
Lenox
Donalbain
Themes:
Violence
Ambition
DUNCAN AND HIS MEN
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
TRAITORS AND TREACHERY
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)
THEMES
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
MACBETH ACT 1
Scene 3
CHARACTERS AND THEMES
Characters:
The Weird Sisters
Macbeth
Banquo
Ross
Angus
Themes:
Ambition
Violence
Natural and the Unnatural
Fate
THE WEIRD SISTERS WITH
MACBETH AND BANQUO
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
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
THEMES
Ambition
Macbeth thinking of killing Duncan
Already Macbeth is thinking of extremes to attain his goal
Violence
Macbeth killing Duncan
To attain his goal Macbeth has to turn to murder
Natural and the Unnatural
The witches
Due to the fact that witches aren’t real and able to possess extreme powers
Fate
The 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
MACBETH ACT 1
Scene 4
CHARACTERS AND THEMES
Characters
Duncan
Malcolm
Macbeth
Banquo
Themes
Ambition
Fate
Nature and Unnatural
DUNCAN AND HIS MEN
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
MACBETH
Macbeth sees Malcolm’s new title as a obstacle to his course
Macbeth asks the stars to be dim to hide his desire
THEMES
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
MACBETH SCENE 1
Act 5
CHARACTERS AND THEMES
Characters
Lady Macbeth
Servant
Macbeth
Themes
All
LADY MACBETH
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
MACBETH AND 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
THEMES
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
MACBETH ACT 1
Scene 6
CHARACTERS AND THEMES
Characters:
Banquo
Lady Macbeth
Duncan
Themes:
Nature and the Unnatural
Manhood
DUNCAN’S ARRIVAL
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
THEMES
Nature and Unnatural
The description of the castle
Manhood
Lady Macbeth greets them alone as Macbeth is still bothered by the plan
MACBETH ACT 1
Scene 7
CHARACTERS AND THEMES
Characters:
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Themes:
Ambition
Fate
Violence
Manhood
MACBETH ALONE
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
LADY MACBETH’S PERSUASION
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
THEMES
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