Lecture Notes: The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare - Act I

Scene I: A Desert Place

• Setting: Thunder and lightning in a desert place.
• Characters: Three witches.
• Dialogue:
  • Witches plan to meet again after a battle.
  • Mention meeting Macbeth on the heath.
  • Famous line: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."

Scene II: A Camp near Forres

• Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, and a bleeding sergeant.
• Content:
  • Sergeant reports the state of the battle.
  • Macbeth is praised for his bravery and effectiveness in battle.
  • The rebellion by Macdonwald is mentioned.
  • Norwegian forces led by the Thane of Cawdor are defeated.
  • Ross announces Macbeth's new title as Thane of Cawdor.

Scene III: A Heath near Forres

• Characters: Three witches, Macbeth, Banquo.
• Witches' Prophecies:
  • Hail Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king.
  • Banquo's descendants will be kings, though he will not.
• Macbeth's Reaction:
  • Shocked and curious about the prophecy.
• Ross and Angus:
  • Confirm Macbeth's new title as Thane of Cawdor.

Scene IV: Forres, the Palace

• Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus.
• Content:
  • Duncan praises Macbeth and Banquo.
  • Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland.
  • Macbeth, aside, reveals his dark intentions prompted by the prophecy.

Scene V: Inverness, Macbeth's Castle

• Characters: Lady Macbeth, Messenger.
• Content:
  • Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth's letter about the witches' prophecies.
  • She fears Macbeth is too kind to seize the crown.
  • Lady Macbeth resolves to convince Macbeth to take action.

Scene VI: Before Macbeth's Castle

• Characters: Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and Lady Macbeth.
• Content:
  • Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle.
  • Lady Macbeth plays the gracious hostess.

Scene VII: Macbeth's Castle

• Characters: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth.
• Content:
  • Macbeth struggles with the decision to murder Duncan.
  • Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth's courage and pushes him towards regicide.
  • Plan to murder Duncan while he sleeps and frame his guards.

Key Themes and Motifs

• Ambition and Power: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's desire for the throne.
• Fate vs. Free Will: The witches’ prophecies and Macbeth’s choices.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Deception by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Important Quotes

• "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." - Reflects the play’s theme of moral ambiguity.
• "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't." - Lady Macbeth’s advice to Macbeth.

Analysis

• Macbeth's Character Development:
  • Initially portrayed as a brave and noble warrior.
  • Begins to be consumed by ambition and the witches’ prophecies.
• Lady Macbeth's Influence:
  • A driving force behind Macbeth’s descent into moral corruption.
  • Her ambition and ruthlessness set the stage for future actions.