The King of Scotland, Duncan and his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain meet a wounded soldier who fought at the same battle as Macbeth. It is through him that we learn that Macbeth is a brave soldier who almost single-handedly won the battle for Scotland against the Norwegians. We learn that the Thane of Cawdor betrayed the King and will be executed. Duncan declares that Macbeth will be made Thane of Cawdor for his efforts in battle.

 

Macbeth and Banquo stumble upon the three witches. They greet Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis (which he is), Thane of Cawdor, and King hereafter. This makes Macbeth confused because he is not the Thane of Cawdor or the King. The witches also tell Banquo that he is father to a line of Kings although he will not be King himself. Before Macbeth can attain any more information, the witches disappear. Shortly after, Ross and Angus tell Macbeth that the Thane of Cawdor had been executed for treason, and that Duncan had made Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor. This makes Macbeth think that the witches prophecy might come true, and he and Banquo make plans to talk about their prophecies further.

 

When they are at the King's palace, Duncan declares that his eldest son Malcolm is his heir and that Macbeth will be the new Thane of Cawdor. It is at this time that Macbeth realises he will need to remove Duncan if he is to become King. Plans are made to dine at Macbeth's castle to celebrate and Macbeth leaves early to inform his wife.

 

Macbeth sends a letter to his wife to inform her of the King's arrival and of the witches prophecy. She is determined that Macbeth become King but does not think he has the courage to kill Duncan. Together they plan to have Duncan killed.

 

Duncan and Banquo arrive at the castle and remark about how peaceful and safe the castle is. During the feast Macbeth leaves at starts to have doubts about the plan to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth finds him and calls him a coward before convincing Macbeth to follow through with the murder. The Act ends with Macbeth resolute and determined to kill Duncan.

 

Macbeth sees a dagger floating in front of him with drops of blood on its blade and it leads him to Duncan's bed chamber and he enters.

 

Lady Macbeth enters Duncan's bed chamber while Macbeth is murdering him. Their plan is to blame it on the servants but Macbeth forgets to leave the dagger with them so Lady Macbeth plants it on them. Macbeth regrets killing Duncan and said that he has murdered sleep and shall sleep no more. He also says that not even all of the oceans could wash his hands clean of Duncan's blood.

 

Macduff comes in the morning to wake Duncan and finds him murdered. Macbeth admits that he killed the servants out of anger and love for Duncan. The men agree to meet in the castle hall. Duncan's sons Malcolm and Donalbain leave Scotland as soon as they can because they fear for their lives.

 

Macduff said that because Malcolm and Donalbain fled, they have been blamed for the murder of Duncan, but he is not convinced. Macbeth, who is now the most powerful man in Scotland, is chosen to succeed Duncan and will be crowed in Scone. Macduff refused to attend.

 

 

 

Macbeth hires two men to murder both Banquo and Fleance.

 

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss murdering Banquo. She does not want to murder another person and Macbeth does not tell her he has already given orders to have Banquo and Fleance murdered.

 

Banquo is killed when he returns to the castle by the murderers but Fleance is able to escape.

 

During the feast, one of the murderers appears and tells Macbeth that Banquo had been killed but that Fleance managed to escape. Macbeth then returns to the feast and accuses Banquo of unkindness for not being at the feast. Macbeth then sees Banquo's appear and has a fit and is terrified of it and the feast ends in disorder. 

 

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth then discuss Banquo's murder but Macbeth begins to think about Macduff, the man he considers to be most dangerous to him.