act 1

• 1.1

  the play opens with the appearance of three witches. they express their intentions to intercept Macbeth
• 1.2

  a soldier reports that Macbeth has been bravely defending king duncan and Scotland from Norway
• 1.3

  macbeth and his fellow general banquo encounter three witches on the heath. the witches prophesise that macbeth will receive the title the Thane of Cawdor and eventually become the King of Scotland. Banquo will be the father of kings, although not a king himself. Macbeth is told that he is now the Thane of Cawdor; the previous thane betrayed Duncan and has been condemned ti death for treason
• 1.4

  Malcolm is appointed Prince of Cumberland assuring he's next in line to the throne. Macbeth recognises Malcolm now stands between him and the throne
• 1.5

  Macbeth writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the witches prophecies. she calls upon evil spirits and vows to make the come true
• 1.6

  Duncan arrives in the castle greeted by a duplicitous Lady Macbeth
• 1.7

  Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth using a variety of tactics to kill the king. they plan drug Duncan's two servants and then blame the murder on them