Act 1: Prophecies and Plotting

The play opens with three witches planning to meet Macbeth. The scene shifts to King Duncan learning of Scotland's victory over Norway, praising the brave captain Macbeth.

Quote: "For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name"

Duncan orders the execution of the traitorous Thane of Cawdor and bestows the title upon Macbeth. The witches then greet Macbeth and Banquo, prophesying Macbeth's rise to power and Banquo's descendants becoming kings.

Highlight: The witches' prophecies set the stage for the entire plot, igniting Macbeth's ambition.

Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband detailing the prophecies. She begins plotting Duncan's murder, worried that Macbeth lacks the ruthlessness to seize power.

Quote: "Fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty"

When Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth convinces him to kill Duncan that night, despite his initial reluctance.

Vocabulary: Thane - a Scottish nobleman

Act 2: The Murder and Its Aftermath

The act begins with Macbeth and Banquo discussing the prophecies. Macbeth then hallucinates a bloody dagger leading him to Duncan's chamber.

Example: Macbeth's vision of the dagger represents his guilt and the supernatural elements influencing his actions.

Lady Macbeth drugs the guards and waits for Macbeth to commit the murder. After the deed, Macbeth is traumatized, hearing voices and unable to say "Amen."

Quote: "Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep'"

Lady Macbeth takes charge, planting the daggers on the drugged guards. The next morning, Macduff discovers Duncan's body, and Macbeth kills the guards in feigned rage.

Highlight: This scene showcases the Macbeth character description as both ambitious and guilt-ridden, while Lady Macbeth appears more calculated and composed.

The chaos following Duncan's murder sets the stage for the rest of the play, as Macbeth's grip on power and sanity begins to unravel.