Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1605 for King James I, who was interested in themes of witchcraft and Scotland. The play tells the story of Macbeth, who is convinced by his wife and witches' prophecies to commit regicide to gain power. Act I introduces Macbeth and Banquo meeting the witches, who prophesize their futures. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to murder King Duncan, who is staying at their castle that night.

2. Macbeth
Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1605,
four years after James I came to the
throne.
It was written for his new patron, James I
(James VI of Scotland), following the
death of Queen Elizabeth.

3. James was interested in witchcraft and
Scotland, and hence the themes in the play.
Banquo is James's ancestor. The play itself
tells the story of a man, urged by his wife
and foretold by prophecy, who commits
regicide in order to gain power.

4. The Curse of Macbeth
Given its shocking history of disorder and
death, actors have come to the logical
conclusion that Macbeth is unlucky.

6. The best known of all theatrical superstitions
forbids actors from mentioning the name of
"that Scottish play" anywhere inside the
theatre other than onstage. If an actor
mistakenly lets the "M" word slip in the
dressing room he or she must perform a
ritual to reverse the curse.

7. The Curse of Macbeth
To be safe, some people refer to Macbeth
only as “The Scottish Play”

9. Macbeth
Captain in Duncan’s army, later
the Thane (Lord) of Glamis and
Cawdor. When Three Witches
predict that he will one day be
king of Scotland, he takes fate
into his own hands, allowing his
ambition and that of his wife to
over come his better judgement.
His bloody reign culminates in a
battle against Malcolm and the
English forces.

10. Lady Macbeth has
an unmatched thirst
for power, using her
sexuality and three
witches as her
council, she has
subtly steered her
husband's rise to
prominence.

11. Three agents of Fate
who reveal part of
the truth to Macbeth
and Banquo who
later appear to
confirm the downfall
of Macbeth

12. King of Scotland. His
victories against rebellious
kinsmen and the
Norwegians have made him
a popular and honored king.
His decision to pass the
kingdom to his son Malcolm
provokes his untimely death
at the hands of Macbeth.

13. A captain of King
Duncan and friend of
Macbeth, who also
receives a prophecy
from the Witches: that
his children will one
day succeed to the
throne of Scotland.

14. A thane of Scotland
who discovers the
murdered King
Duncan. Suspecting
Macbeth and
eventually turning
against him.

19. Act I

20. ACT I
This act sets the stage for the play. Macbeth
and Banquo get their prophesies from the
three witches.

21. Act I, Scene I
• 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.

22. “Fair is foul and
foul is fair:
Hover to
through the fog
and filthy air”

23. Video Clip (Act I, Scene I)

24. ACT I, Scene II
• The Scottish army is at war with the
Norwegian army. Duncan, king of
Scotland, meets a captain returning from
battle. The captain informs them of
Macbeth and Banquo's bravery in battle.

25. • He also describes Macbeth's attack on the
castle of the treacherous Macdonald, in
which Macbeth triumphed and planted
Macdonald’s head on the battlements of
the castle. The Thanes of Ross and Angus
enter with the news that the Thane of
Cawdor has sided with Norway. Duncan
decides to execute the disloyal thane and
give the title of Cawdor to Macbeth.

26. ACT I, Scene III
The witches hail Macbeth as thane of
Glamis and as thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth is baffled by
this second title,
as he has not yet heard
of King Duncan’s
decision.

27. Video Clip (ACT I, Scene III)

28. • The “Weird Sisters” give three predictions to Macbeth
and one to Banquo.

29. Scarcely have the predictions been made than
Ross and Angus arrive to tell Macbeth that he has
been made Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth and Banquo react differently.
Banquo recognizes evil as such but Macbeth is
now encouragement to put further trust in them.

30. ACT I, Scene IV
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.

32. • Duncan announces his intention to name
Malcolm the heir to his throne. Macbeth
declares his joy but notes to himself that
Malcolm now stands between him and the
crown. Plans are made for Duncan to dine
at Macbeth’s castle that evening, and
Macbeth goes on ahead of the royal party
to inform his wife of the king’s impending
arrival.

33. ACT I, Scene V
• Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth's letter about
what the weird sisters said, and works herself up
to work him up to murder.

34. Lady Macbeth murmurs that she knows
Macbeth is ambitious, but fears he is too full
of “th’ milk of human kindness” to take the
steps necessary to make himself king.

35. Video Clip (ACT I, Scene V)

36. • She resolves to convince her husband to do
whatever is required to seize the crown.

37. ACT I, Scene VI
• Duncan, the Scottish lords, and their
attendants arrive outside Macbeth’s castle.
Duncan praises the castle’s pleasant
environment, and he thanks Lady
Macbeth, who has emerged to greet him,
for her hospitality.

39. ACT I, Scene VII
• Macbeth considers the reason why he
ought not to kill Duncan: Macbeth is
Duncan’s kinsman, subject, and host;
moreover, the king is universally admired
as a virtuous ruler.”

40. Lady Macbeth calls him a coward and convinces
him to commit to their plan to murder the King.