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Jul 31, 2015 · Scene 1. Synopsis: Three witches plan to meet Macbeth. Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches. FIRST WITCH. When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? SECOND WITCH. When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. THIRD WITCH. 5 That will be ere the set of sun. FIRST WITCH. Where the place?
Read the text, character interview, and critics' comments of Macbeth's first scene, where three witches meet with him on the heath. Explore the themes of fair and foul, and the language of thunder and lightning.
No sooner has the name "Macbeth" been uttered than the calls of the attendant spirits are heard and the witches hurry off. The action of the scene is over with the naming of the man against whose soul these ministers of darkness are plotting. 1. The dialogue of the witches is a sort of chant.
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 1
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 2
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 3
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 4
- Analysis: Act 1, Scenes 1–4
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Thunder and lightning crash above a Scottish moor. Three haggard old women, the witches, appear out of the storm. In eerie, chanting tones, they make plans to meet again upon the heath, after the battle, to confront Macbeth. As quickly as they arrive, they disappear. Read a translation of Act 1: Scene 1
At a military camp near his palace at Forres, King Duncan of Scotland asks a wounded captain for news about the Scots’ battle with the Irish invaders, who are led by the rebel Macdonwald. The captain, who was wounded helping Duncan’s son Malcolm escape capture by the Irish, replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo fought with great cou...
On the heath near the battlefield, thunder rolls and the three witches appear. One says that she has just come from “[k]illing swine” and another describes the revenge she has planned upon a sailor whose wife refused to share her chestnuts. Suddenly a drum beats, and the third witch cries that Macbeth is coming. Macbeth and Banquo, on their way to ...
At the king’s palace, Duncan hears reports of Cawdor’s execution from his son Malcolm, who says that Cawdor died nobly, confessing freely and repenting of his crimes. Macbeth and Banquo enter with Ross and Angus. Duncan thanks the two generals profusely for their heroism in the battle, and they profess their loyalty and gratitude toward Duncan. Dun...
These scenes establish the play’s dramatic premise—the witches’ awakening of Macbeth’s ambition—and present the main characters and their relationships. At the same time, the first three scenes establish a dark mood that permeates the entire play. The stage directions indicate that the play begins with a storm, and malignant supernatural forces imm...
Learn about the plot and themes of Macbeth Act 1: Scenes 1–4, where Macbeth encounters the witches, becomes thane of Cawdor, and meets King Duncan. Read a translation of the scenes and analysis of the characters and their relationships.
Read the original text and a modern English translation of Macbeth Act 1, Scene 1, where three witches meet with Macbeth and prophesy his fate. Learn about the witches' language, their familiars, and their motives.
Learn about the witches' prophecy, Macbeth's ambition, and the themes of fate and free will in this scene. Read the original text and a modern translation, listen to the audio, and test your knowledge with a quiz.
Learn about the witches' prophecy and Macbeth's reaction to it in this scene from Shakespeare's tragedy. Read a modern translation, themes, quotes, and literary devices.
