2. Witches
Prophases predicted by the Witches – Macbeth will
become the Thane of Glamis, Cawdor, then King after.
They also predict that Banquos children will take over
the throne eventually.
Banquo questions the witches have told them.
Macbeth meets with Duncan
Duncan announces that Malcom will be the heir to his
throne
Macbeth realizes that Malcom is standing between him
and the prophase.
3. Macbeth sends a letter to Lady Macbeth
The letter tells Lady Macbeth that he is now the Thane
of Cawdor and explains his meeting with the Witches.
Plans to kill Duncan
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth make plans on how they
will kill Duncan so Macbeth can take the throne.
Macbeth decides he does not want to kill Duncan and
Lady Macbeth questions his manhood.
Macbeth agrees that they will proceed with the murder.
4. Macbeth
After receiving the prophase, he becomes willing to do anything to
gain his power
He still has a conscious when it comes to considering killing
Duncan and whether or not its right
Stops thinking for himself once Lady Macbeth questions his
manhood
Lady Macbeth
The first time Lady Macbeth appears it is evident that she is in
control of their relationship.
She has the opposite feelings that Macbeth has about killing
Duncan and never questions it.
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth switch rolls later in the book –
Macbeth becomes the one who will kill for power and Lady
Macbeth questions whether or not it is right.
5. Symbols:
Blood
The play starts on battle field
“What bloody man is this?” (1.2.1)
“When we have marked with blood those sleepy two of his own chamber and used
their very daggers,” ( 1.7. 75-76)
Motifs:
Prophases
The witches give Macbeth and Banquo prophases at the beginning of the play and will
reappear with more.
“You greet with present grace and great prediction of noble having and of royal hope”
(1.3.55-56)
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!” (1.3.48)
Violence
It is evident that violence will reoccur multiple times with the killing and battle
“Bear the knife” (1.7.16)
“Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out” ( 1.7.57-
58)
“Strange images of death” (1.3.97)
6. Power Controlling Lives
In this act we begin to see how gaining power starts to
control Macbeths life as well as Lady Macbeths
Once the first prophase comes true, they begin to
believe that murder is the only way to get the throne and
have power
Problems with Gender
Lady Macbeth begins to question the masculinity of
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth appears more masculine at times
compared to Macbeth
