Macbeth-Act I

Objective: Students will review important sections of Act I, Scenes I-VII

Agenda for January 28, 20151. Macbeth Act I Quiz2. Review Quiz3. Key Scenes

Scene I

• What comes to mind when you think of witches?

• Macbeth is a play that involves three witches. What role do you predict these witches will play?

The scene starts on a moor. The three witches enter to thunder and

lightening.

What does this tell you about the action that is to follow?

Scene II

• Duncan’s sons Malcom and Donalbain along with a captain of the Scottish army recall Macbeth’s bravery during the fight

• Duncan executes the Thane of Cawdor for his betrayal

• Names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor

• What does this say about Duncan and his idea of loyalty?

Scene III

• 3 Witches reappear• Macbeth and Banquo meet them• Make 3 predictions to Macbeth– Thane of Glamis– Thane of Cawdor– King of Scotland

• 1 to Banquo– “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.”

Thought Questions

• What could this foreshadow?• Are the witches good or evil? Why?• “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”–Who says this? –Who else said this previously?–What can that tell us?

Scene IV

• King Duncan meets Macbeth and officially gives him his new title–Thane of Cawdor

• Also names Malcolm Prince of Cumberland • Macbeth is not happy about that• Realizes he will either have to step

over Malcolm or give up.

Thought Questions

• “Stars, hide your fires;/Let not light see my black and deep desires./The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be/ Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”–One of the most important lines in the

play.–What does it mean?

Scene V

• Lady Macbeth enters reading a letter telling her the news• A messenger enters telling her the King

will be coming for a celebration visit.• She begins to convince Macbeth to

murder King Duncan• Feels they deserve to rule because both

fate and witchcraft said so• Lady Macbeth starts saying some very

interesting things….

Thought Questions

• “Yet do I fear thy nature;/It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness.”

• What is Lady Macbeth saying?

• “Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty.”

• Say whaaaat….?

Scene VI

• King Duncan arrives at the Macbeths’ castle.• He says, “This castle hath a pleasant

seat. The air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.”• This is ironic. Why?

Scene VII

• Macbeth feels it best that he murder Duncan quickly.

• Nervous because he is both the king’s host and loyal subject.

• Lady Macbeth is afraid he will not go through with the plan

• Let’s take a look at her “manipulation”• Open to page 41

• What is Lady Macbeth saying?

• False face must hide what the false heart doth know.•What is Macbeth saying?