MACBETH ACT 1.
Act 1 opens with the three witches setting up the entire theme of the play “Fair is foul and foul is fair.” A war is taking place against Scotland and Norway, Scotland is victorious due to the valiant efforts of Macbeth. King Duncan decides to reward Macbeth with the title of “Thane of Cawdor” to show his gratitude and to let Macbeth know that he is proud of him, that his actions were greatly appreciated. The scene shifts to the battleground where the three witches confront Macbeth and Banquo, telling Macbeth that he will become king in the near future. Macbeth soon learns of his new title, fulfilling the first part of the prophesy, and sends word to his wife. His wife feels that if Macbeth kills King Duncan she’ll live a better life, being married to a king will have its high points and low but she was thinking of only the good. Macbeth is itching to be king, he feels he must get his crown now, he does not want to wait any longer, and Lady Macbeth receives the news and immediately plots the death of King Duncan so her husband will be crowned king. She manipulates her husband into following her plans, and he reluctantly agrees to murder Duncan. By the end of Act I, Macbeth is determined to follow through with the plan.