Macbeth: Act 1-5 Summary
Act 1
Scene 1
- Amidst thunder and lightning, three witches meet.
- They plan to meet again after a battle, intending to meet
Macbeth.
Scene 2
- King Duncan (king of Scotland) receives news of the battle
against Macdonwald (a traitor leading a rebellion to
overthrow King Duncan) and the Norwegians.
- A wounded captain is brought to Duncan and praises
Macbeth’s bravery, describing how he killed Macdonwald.
- Ross reports that the Thane of Cawdor betrayed Scotland.
- King Duncan orders the Thane of Cawdor’s execution and
bestows the title on Macbeth.
Scene 3
- The witches discuss the mischief they caused earlier,
including cursing a sailor.
- Macbeth and Banquo (Macbeth’s friend) arrive, and the
witches give a prophecy to Macbeth that he will be the
Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and the future king.
- They give the prophecy to Banquo that his descendants
will be kings.
- The witches vanish, and Ross and Angus arrive, informing
Macbeth of his new title (Thane of Cawdor).
- Macbeth’s reaction to his prophecy is that he is eager to
know more and is tempted. He is already imagining
murdering Duncan, which horrifies him and shows his
ambition taking root.
- Banquo is at first curious but grows cautious and decides
not to act on his ambition.
, Scene 4
- King Duncan names his son Malcolm as heir to the throne.
- Macbeth sees Malcolm as an obstacle to his ambition of
becoming king.
Scene 5
- Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s wife) reads Macbeth’s letter
about the witches’ prophecy.
- She fears Macbeth is too kind to seize the throne by force.
- Upon learning King Duncan will visit them, she calls upon
the spirits to “unsex” her.
- This means to strip away her feminine qualities
(gentleness, compassion, and nurturing) and make her
more masculine (ruthless and aggressive) to be able to
help Macbeth commit murder. This shows her ambition.
Scene 6
- King Duncan and his entourage arrive at Macbeth’s castle.
- Lady Macbeth warmly welcomes them, hiding her true
intentions.
Scene 7
- Macbeth contemplates the consequences of murdering
Duncan.
- He thinks that justice will catch up to him, and he may be
killed as well.
- He thinks that King Duncan does not deserve this, as he is
a good and noble king, and his position as Macbeth’s
guest should protect him.
- He thinks the news of Duncan’s death will shock and
negatively affect the public.
- So, he ends up deciding NOT to murder Duncan.
- But Lady Macbeth starts to convince him otherwise.
Act 1
Scene 1
- Amidst thunder and lightning, three witches meet.
- They plan to meet again after a battle, intending to meet
Macbeth.
Scene 2
- King Duncan (king of Scotland) receives news of the battle
against Macdonwald (a traitor leading a rebellion to
overthrow King Duncan) and the Norwegians.
- A wounded captain is brought to Duncan and praises
Macbeth’s bravery, describing how he killed Macdonwald.
- Ross reports that the Thane of Cawdor betrayed Scotland.
- King Duncan orders the Thane of Cawdor’s execution and
bestows the title on Macbeth.
Scene 3
- The witches discuss the mischief they caused earlier,
including cursing a sailor.
- Macbeth and Banquo (Macbeth’s friend) arrive, and the
witches give a prophecy to Macbeth that he will be the
Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and the future king.
- They give the prophecy to Banquo that his descendants
will be kings.
- The witches vanish, and Ross and Angus arrive, informing
Macbeth of his new title (Thane of Cawdor).
- Macbeth’s reaction to his prophecy is that he is eager to
know more and is tempted. He is already imagining
murdering Duncan, which horrifies him and shows his
ambition taking root.
- Banquo is at first curious but grows cautious and decides
not to act on his ambition.
, Scene 4
- King Duncan names his son Malcolm as heir to the throne.
- Macbeth sees Malcolm as an obstacle to his ambition of
becoming king.
Scene 5
- Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s wife) reads Macbeth’s letter
about the witches’ prophecy.
- She fears Macbeth is too kind to seize the throne by force.
- Upon learning King Duncan will visit them, she calls upon
the spirits to “unsex” her.
- This means to strip away her feminine qualities
(gentleness, compassion, and nurturing) and make her
more masculine (ruthless and aggressive) to be able to
help Macbeth commit murder. This shows her ambition.
Scene 6
- King Duncan and his entourage arrive at Macbeth’s castle.
- Lady Macbeth warmly welcomes them, hiding her true
intentions.
Scene 7
- Macbeth contemplates the consequences of murdering
Duncan.
- He thinks that justice will catch up to him, and he may be
killed as well.
- He thinks that King Duncan does not deserve this, as he is
a good and noble king, and his position as Macbeth’s
guest should protect him.
- He thinks the news of Duncan’s death will shock and
negatively affect the public.
- So, he ends up deciding NOT to murder Duncan.
- But Lady Macbeth starts to convince him otherwise.
