🌟 Act 1 introduces:

• The main characters

• The supernatural (witches)

• Macbeth’s ambition and temptation

• The idea of betrayal and fate

🔹 Scene 1: The Witches’ Meeting

📖 Summary:

• On a stormy battlefield, three witches agree to meet Macbeth after a battle.

• They speak in riddles and set the dark, mysterious tone of the play.

🔑 Key Quote:

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

• Suggests that appearances can be deceptive (theme: Appearance vs Reality)

✍️ Themes Introduced:

• The Supernatural

• Chaos and Disorder

• Good vs. Evil

🔹 Scene 2: Macbeth the War Hero

📖 Summary:

• King Duncan learns that Macbeth has bravely defeated a rebel and Norway’s army.

• The previous Thane of Cawdor betrayed Scotland, so Duncan gives that title to Macbeth as a reward.

🧑 Characters Introduced:

• King Duncan – kind and trusting

• Macbeth – brave, respected general

• Ross and Angus – noblemen and messengers

🔑 Key Quote:

“What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.” – King Duncan

• Irony: Macbeth later betrays Duncan, just like the former Thane of Cawdor.

✍️ Themes:

• Loyalty vs Betrayal

• Honour

• Kingship

🔹 Scene 3: Prophecies and Temptation

📖 Summary:

• The witches meet Macbeth and Banquo.

• They give three prophecies:
  1. Macbeth will be Thane of Glamis (his current title)

  2. He will be Thane of Cawdor

  3. He will become King

• Banquo is told: “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (his descendants will be kings).

• Macbeth is shocked when Ross arrives and calls him Thane of Cawdor — confirming the witches’ words.

• Macbeth begins to imagine becoming king, even by murder.

🔑 Key Quotes:

“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” – Macbeth

• Echoes the witches’ words; shows confusion and links to fate.

“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.”

• Macbeth hopes to become king without doing anything — but later changes.

✍️ Themes:

• Fate vs Free Will

• Ambition

• Supernatural Influence

🔹 Scene 4: Duncan’s Decision

📖 Summary:

• Duncan thanks Macbeth and Banquo.

• He names Malcolm (his son) the next king (Prince of Cumberland).

• Macbeth is disappointed and sees Malcolm as an obstacle to the throne.

🔑 Key Quote:

“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.” – Macbeth

• Macbeth is already thinking of dark actions (murder).

✍️ Themes:

• Ambition

• Appearance vs Reality

• Kingship

🔹 Scene 5: Lady Macbeth’s Ambition

📖 Summary:

• Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter about the witches.

• She immediately wants Macbeth to be king — and plans to help make it happen.

• She fears Macbeth is too kind to kill.

• She calls on evil spirits to make her more cruel.

• Macbeth returns home, and they begin plotting.

🔑 Key Quotes:

“Unsex me here… fill me… with direst cruelty.” – Lady Macbeth

• She wants to reject her femininity and become heartless.

“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”

• She advises Macbeth to be fake — kind outside, deadly inside.

✍️ Themes:

• Gender roles (Masculinity & Femininity)

• Evil and Manipulation

• Ambition

🔹 Scene 6: Duncan Arrives at the Castle

📖 Summary:

• Duncan and his lords arrive at Macbeth’s castle.

• Lady Macbeth pretends to be warm and welcoming.

• Duncan is unaware of their plans.

🔑 Key Quote:

“This castle hath a pleasant seat.” – King Duncan

• Dramatic irony: the audience knows he’s walking into a death trap.

✍️ Themes:

• Appearance vs Reality

• Deception

• Hospitality vs Betrayal

🔹 Scene 7: Macbeth’s Doubt and Decision

📖 Summary:

• Macbeth debates with himself: should he kill Duncan or not?

• He fears punishment and guilt.

• Lady Macbeth mocks his manhood and convinces him to go through with it.

• They agree to murder Duncan that night.

🔑 Key Quotes:

“I have no spur… but only vaulting ambition.”

• Macbeth admits he has no real reason to kill Duncan except his own ambition.

“When you durst do it, then you were a man.” – Lady Macbeth

• She emotionally manipulates him to commit murder.

✍️ Themes:

• Ambition

• Manipulation

• Guilt and Conscience

• Masculinity

✅ Conclusion: What Act 1 Does

• Sets up all the major conflicts

• Introduces ambition, fate, and the supernatural

• Shows how Lady Macbeth and Macbeth become partners in crime

• Builds tension and prepares us for the murder in Act 2