Ad-free experience
Study Guides for 1,000+ titles
Full Text content for 250+ titles
No Fear Translations of Shakespeare’s plays (along with audio!) and other classic works
Flashcards
Mastery Quizzes
Infographics
Graphic Novels
AP® Practice & Lessons
Note-taking
Bookmarking
Dashboard
What happens in Act 1, Scenes 1–4 of Macbeth?
In Scene 1 of Act 1, amidst the thunder and lightning of a Scottish moor, three witches appear and make plans to meet after an upcoming battle to confront Macbeth. In Scene 2, King Duncan hears of Macbeth and Banquo’s heroics in battle. When he learns that the traitorous Thane of Cawdor has been defeated, he decides to give the thane’s title to Macbeth. In Scene 3, the three witches prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and that Banquo’s descendants will be kings. In Scene 4, Duncan welcomes Macbeth and Banquo and tells them that he plans to make Malcolm his heir. Macbeth realizes he cannot become king if Malcolm is alive.
Looking for our Summary & Analysis of Act 1, Scenes 1–4? Click here! (3-minute read)
Read single-sentence summaries of all 28 scenes of Macbeth. (3-minute read)
What key characters are introduced in Act 1, Scene 1 of Macbeth?
The only characters to appear in Scene 1 of Act 1 are the three witches—sinister supernatural beings who appear only in foul weather. Throughout the play, they will speak in mysterious rhyming couplets as they drive the action of the play by manipulating Macbeth with reassuring but misleading prophecies that appeal to his worst instincts.
Read our in-depth Character Analysis of The Three Witches. (2-minute read)
Read explanations of the witches’ odd quotes in Scene 1. (2-minute read)
What key characters are introduced in Act 1, Scene 2 of Macbeth?
In Act 1, Scene 2, we are introduced to Duncan, the King of Scotland, and his son and chosen heir, Malcolm. Macbeth will not appear until Scene 3, but he is praised in this scene for his violent prowess in battle. The scene also introduces a number of less important characters, including the nobleman Ross, who will mainly function as a messenger and deliverer of news in the play.
Read our in-depth Character Analysis of King Duncan. (2-minute read)
Read our in-depth Character Analysis of Malcolm. (2-minute read)
Read brief descriptions of major and lesser characters in our Character List. (3-minute read)
What key characters are introduced in Act 1, Scene 3 of Macbeth?
Macbeth, the title character and protagonist of the play, makes his first appearance In Act 1, Scene 3. Banquo is also introduced in Scene 3. Opinions differ as to whether Banquo is Macbeth’s chief antagonist or if Macbeth is actually his own worst enemy.
Read our in-depth Character Analysis of Macbeth. (2-minute read)
Read about Macbeth’s role as the Protagonist of the play. (1-minute read)
Read our in-depth Character Analysis of Banquo. (2-minute read)
Read about whether Macbeth is the play’s Antagonist. (1-minute read)
What is the function of prophecy in the plot of Macbeth?
The prophecies of the witches in Scene 1 and Scene 3 of Act 1 set the model for prophecy’s function as the main driver of its plot throughout the play. However, an argument can be made that the witches’ prophecies simply serve to unleash ruthless and unchecked ambitions that were already lurking within Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Read more about Prophecy as a Motif (#3) in Macbeth. (1-minute read)
