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Analysis. The opening of Scene 3 does more than to simply recall us to the world of the supernatural of Act I, Scene 1: The Witches' curse of the sailor foreshadows what Fate has in store for Macbeth. The sailor is the captain of a ship, in the same way that Macbeth is to become "captain" of his land; like the sailor, Macbeth will be blown by ...
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 1
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 2
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 3
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 4
- Analysis: Act 1, Scenes 1–4
Thunder and lightning crash above a Scottish moor. Three haggard old women, the witches, appear out of the storm. In eerie, chanting tones, they make plans to meet again upon the heath, after the battle, to confront Macbeth. As quickly as they arrive, they disappear. Read a translation of Act 1: Scene 1
At a military camp near his palace at Forres, King Duncan of Scotland asks a wounded captain for news about the Scots’ battle with the Irish invaders, who are led by the rebel Macdonwald. The captain, who was wounded helping Duncan’s son Malcolm escape capture by the Irish, replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo fought with great cou...
On the heath near the battlefield, thunder rolls and the three witches appear. One says that she has just come from “[k]illing swine” and another describes the revenge she has planned upon a sailor whose wife refused to share her chestnuts. Suddenly a drum beats, and the third witch cries that Macbeth is coming. Macbeth and Banquo, on their way to ...
At the king’s palace, Duncan hears reports of Cawdor’s execution from his son Malcolm, who says that Cawdor died nobly, confessing freely and repenting of his crimes. Macbeth and Banquo enter with Ross and Angus. Duncan thanks the two generals profusely for their heroism in the battle, and they profess their loyalty and gratitude toward Duncan. Dun...
These scenes establish the play’s dramatic premise—the witches’ awakening of Macbeth’s ambition—and present the main characters and their relationships. At the same time, the first three scenes establish a dark mood that permeates the entire play. The stage directions indicate that the play begins with a storm, and malignant supernatural forces imm...
One has been killing pigs. Another has been insulted by a sailor’s wife so they plot to cast a spell which will disrupt the sailor’s next sea journey to Aleppo. They hear Macbeth and Banquo approaching and cast a spell. The men encounter the witches ‘that look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth’.
Jan 3, 2024 · Macbeth. , Act 1, Scene 3. Enter the three witches. —The witches prophesy that Macbeth shall be king and Banquo shall be father of kings. Enter Macbeth and Banquo. —Ross and Angus tell Macbeth he has been given the title of Thane of Cawdor. Enter Ross and Angus. —Macbeth muses on the possibility of killing the King in order to be king. As ...
Analysis. On the heath the witches appear. They call themselves the "weird sisters" (1.3.30) and brag of their dread and magical deeds such as killing swine and cursing a sailor to waste away. The witches are established as both wicked and magically powerful.
Summary. Analysis. Macbeth, alone, agonizes about whether to kill Duncan. He'd be willing to murder Duncan if he thought that would be the end of it. But he knows that "bloody instructions, being taught, return to plague the inventor" (1.7.10). Also, Macbeth notes, Duncan is a guest, kinsmen, and good king.
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Scene 1 Commentary. By now the audience is anxious to find out how the Macbeths' murder plan will work, but Shakespeare continues to build the suspense. In this scene we meet Fleance (Flay-ahns ...
