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Plot Revision Act 1

Act One of 'Macbeth' introduces the themes of disruption and ambition, highlighted by the storm and the witches' chant 'Fair is foul and foul is fair.' King Duncan mistakenly trusts Macbeth, who contemplates murder upon learning that Duncan's son Malcolm is next in line for the throne. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into committing regicide by questioning his masculinity and outlining a detailed plan to murder Duncan while framing his guards.

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3 views8 pages

Plot Revision Act 1

Act One of 'Macbeth' introduces the themes of disruption and ambition, highlighted by the storm and the witches' chant 'Fair is foul and foul is fair.' King Duncan mistakenly trusts Macbeth, who contemplates murder upon learning that Duncan's son Malcolm is next in line for the throne. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into committing regicide by questioning his masculinity and outlining a detailed plan to murder Duncan while framing his guards.

Uploaded by

hassanhanie18
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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‘Macbeth’: Act One

Revision
Learning Objective
To discuss and analyse each act of Macbeth.

Success Criteria
• To describe what happens in each act.
• To describe how each act fits into the plot as a whole.
Act One
Scene One
1.What is the significance of the storm that’s happening in
this scene?
The storm foreshadows the disruption of the natural order that
both the witches and Macbeth bring about.

2.What do you think ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair’ means?


It means the natural or correct order of the world is disrupted,
where beauty is ugliness and ugliness is beauty. Everything is the
complete opposite.
Act One
3. How does King Duncan feel about Macbeth?
King Duncan believes Macbeth is brave and heroic.

4. What mistake did Duncan make?


King Duncan says he ‘built an absolute trust’ on Macbeth. This
suggests that Duncan is perhaps not a good judge of character
and trusts the wrong people.

5. How does Macbeth react when King Duncan says that the
throne is to go to his son, Malcolm?
The first thing Macbeth thinks is that Malcolm stands in between
him and the throne! He thinks of murder again. He hopes his
hidden thoughts are not visible to the world.
Act One
6. Why does Lady Macbeth fear Macbeth’s ‘nature’?
Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth may be too ‘soft’ to carry out a plan
that will make him king quickly ‘…To catch the nearest way…’

7. Why will Duncan’s arrival be a ‘fatal entrance’?


Lady Macbeth has no intention that King Duncan will leave the
castle alive, thus he is entering to meet his death.

8. Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to ‘Look like the innocent


flower/But be the serpent under it. What is she telling him to do?
Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth that he will have to conceal his
evil and his murderous thoughts under a disguise of friendliness
and kindness so that no one will suspect what they are up to.
Act One
9. In his soliloquy, what issues does Macbeth see with killing the
King?
Macbeth is concerned that once he commits the act of murder, he
could be found out and have to take the consequences. Not only
that, but he would be judged again in the afterlife. He feels guilty
because he is both a relative of the King and is supposed to be his
loyal soldier. Macbeth says he should be stopping the King from
being murdered and not thinking of doing it himself.

10. What does Macbeth decide to do about the planned murder?


Macbeth backs out of the plan to kill Duncan; he says he has
honours and good opinions and should be celebrating those, not
thinking about doing something that would destroy them.
Act One
11. How does Lady Macbeth persuade Macbeth to continue with
the plan?
Lady Macbeth basically tells Macbeth that he is not a man if he
does not carry out their plan. She says her will is stronger as she
would kill a baby she loves rather than break a promise she had
made.

12. What are the details of the plan?


Lady Macbeth says she will get Duncan’s soldiers drunk while he
sleeps, so much so that they too will fall asleep, leaving him
unguarded. Then, it will be easy to kill him with the servants’
daggers and blame them.

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