Act I, scenes i-iv
Summary: Act I, scene i
The scene opens with the three haggard witches, who appear out of the storm. The witches inform that a battle is taking place. In eerie, chanting tones, they make plans to meet again upon the heath, after the battle, to confront Macbeth. Then they disappear.
Summary: Act I, scene ii
At a military camp near Forres, King Duncan is asking a captain for news about the Scottish' battle with the Irish invaders. The captain replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo fought with great courage. Then the thane of Ross enters and tells the king that the traitorous thane of Cawdor has been defeated. Duncan then declares that Macbeth be given Cawdor's title.
Summary: Act I, scene iii
On the heath, the three witches appear. Macbeth and Banquo, on their way to the king's court, come upon the witches.
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...
The sleepwalking Lady MacbethThe witches declare that Macbeth will be soon become Thane of Cawdor and subsequently king. They also say that Banquo's children will sit upon the throne. Witches then vanish into thin air.
Soon after this Ross and Angus arrive. Ross tells Macbeth that the king has made him thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is amazed that the witches' prophecy has come true. The group then departs for Forres.
Summary: Act I, scene IV
At the king's palace, Macbeth and others enter. Duncan thanks the two generals generously for their heroism in the battle. Plans are made for Duncan to dine at Macbeth's castle (Inverness) that evening.
Summary: Act I, scene v
In Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads to herself a letter she has received from Macbeth. The letter announces Macbeth's promotion and also describes the details of his meeting with the witches. Macbeth enters, and tells his wife that...