Three weird witches meet on a barren Scottish heath and prophesy that Macbeth will become Lord of Cawdor and then King of Scotland. Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches after a battle, and Ross and Angus then confirm Macbeth has been named Lord of Cawdor as predicted. The witches also predict Banquo's descendants will be kings, though he will not be. Their prophecies sow seeds of ambition in Macbeth's mind that will have tragic consequences for Scotland and himself.

2. Act 1 Scene 1
Scotland.
On a dark and barren heath,
three weird witches met to carry
out an evil plan in the midst of
foul and stormy weather.
When the
hurly-burly’s done,
When the battle’s
lost and won.
When shall we
three meet again?
In thunder, lightning,
or in rain?
Which will
be before the
set of sun.
Where
would be the
place?
Upon the
heath.
There to
meet with
Macbeth.
Fair is foul,
and foul is fair,
Hover through the
fog and filthy
air!
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3. Act 1 Scene 2
At a battle camp near Forres in Scotland.
The army of Duncan, king of Scotland, had
been trying to crush a rebellious uprising in
the kingdom. Malcolm and Donalbain, the
king’s sons, and Lennox, a lord, assembled
to get the latest news from the battlefront.
Your Highness,
initially there was a
deadlock as both the
armies were equally
balanced.
Then the rebel
Lord of Cawdor, Macdonwald,
brought in fresh reinforcements
and started butchering our
soldiers mercilessly.
But this was only until
he was confronted by
Macbeth, who overpowered
and finally slaughtered him.
Macbeth is
certainly a brave
man!
However, just when
the situation seemed settled
in our favour, the Norwegian
king attacked us with
fresh soldiers.
This did not
in the least distress
Your
Macbeth and Banquo though,
who fought with even greater Highness,
valour and quelled this new I feel weak
now.
attack with utmost
ease.
Arrange
surgeons for him,
quickly!
At that point, two loyal generals of
Duncan’s army came to the camp
with more news of the battle.
Ross and
Angus, where
are you coming
from?
From Fife,
where the Norwegian
king is begging for
a truce.
The Lord of Cawdor has betrayed our
trust. Put him to death immediately.
Macbeth shall now be Lord of
Cawdor. Go and greet him
with this title.
It shall
be done, Your
Highness.
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4. Act 1 Scene 3
Meanwhile, on the barren heath, the witches prepared
for their first meeting with Macbeth, who together
with Banquo, was on his way back from the battlefield.
What have you
been doing since
we met last?
I’ve been
having a good time
killing pigs.
A sailor’s wife was rude to me. As
revenge, I’m going to trouble her
husband, drain him of his sleep,
and toss his ship about
in the ocean.
A drum, a drum! Macbeth does
come. Let’s wind up the charm
and watch the fun.
What
an eventful day
this has been,
Banquo.
Yes, so it
has been--
Macbeth, just
look there! What on
earth are those weird
looking creatures?
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5. Can you hear and
understand me? Why are
you gesturing to me to be
quiet? You look like women,
but your forms are
deceptive.
Speak, if
you can. Who
are you?
We salute
Macbeth, Lord
of Glamis!
We salute
Macbeth, Lord
of Cawdor!
We salute
Macbeth, the next
king of Scotland!
Why is it that you
don’t address me at all
or predict my future?
Come on, speak to
me too.
You shall be less than
Macbeth, but much
greater!
Not as
happy, but
happier!
Your sons shall be kings,
even though you will
never be one!
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6. I am Lord
of Glamis, but why
do you call me Lord of
Cawdor, who still
lives?
And why do
you call me king? That
title is something that is
beyond my wildest
imagination.
Come on,
answer me!
But without giving Macbeth an answer,
the witches disappeared mysteriously.
Where have
they vanished?
I wish they
had stayed.
Were those
creatures really
here, or have we been
imagining things?
You shall
be king!
At that very moment, Ross and Angus
found Macbeth and Banquo, and
hurried to give them the good news.
Your
children shall
be kings!
Macbeth, the
king is very happy at
your victory.
As a gesture of
his appreciation, he
has bestowed the title
of Lord of Cawdor
on you.
Messenger after
messenger from the
battlefield came and informed
him of your brave and
matchless feats.
What! Can
the devil speak
the truth?
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7. Fair is foul and foul is fair – so said three weird women in ghoulish glee, predicting a
subversion of order in fair Scotland…
In the reign of King Duncan, Scotland is a just and hospitable land, with loyal, warlike
thanes guarding the best interests of people…
…Till the very best among them, Macbeth, gives in to a fatal temptation and commits
regicide. But will the crown of Scotland sit easy on his head? Will justice be restored to
Scotland? Or will Macbeth remain invincible?
One of Shakespeare’s most powerful plays, Macbeth goes beyond a mere tragedy of
moral order to a deeply psychological study of a mind preyed on by ambition, insecurities,
fear, and regret. Playing out the timeless themes of good and evil, temptation and fall,
order and subversion, the story of Macbeth has never failed to grip the imagination of
audiences through generations.
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