Macbeth Act 1 Summary in Easy Words

Here goes a short Macbeth Act 1 Summary with all the scenes explained. Macbeth Act 1 contains seven scenes. Before you begin reading the summary, let me tell you we’re not including each and every point of the novel.

The ones important are merged here in this post. Anyhow, let’s begin with their summary:

Macbeth Act 1 Summary

Macbeth Scene 1 Summary:

The three witches talks to each other on where they shall they meet next. The first witch says that they will be meeting when the environment will be one of thunder, lightning, and rain. The second witch says that their next meet will be when the noise of the battle will be over. The third says, their meet will happen before the sunset.

Macbeth Scene 2 Summary:

*King Duncan, Malcolm, Lennox, Donalbain got encountered with a bleeding captain in the second scene.*

The king, judging from the bleeding king’s appearance asks him if he could tell anything about the war happenings. In response to that, the captain says that the outrageous rebel Macdonwald was supported by his foot soldiers and horsemen from Ireland. The captain also sees Lady Luck with him.

The captain aftermath says that Brave Macbeth chopped his way through Macdonwald and fought with the army singlehandedly.

King Duncan appreciates the bravery of Macbeth and also Banquo who was also a famed captain.

Macbeth Scene 3 Summary:

The three witches appear on the scene again. This is the second appearance of the witches. In this scene, they predict Macbeth’s faith. The hideous appearance of the witches is being described in this scene.

Macbeth asks the witches on which reason did they come and what exactly they are as they do not look like normal women.

Their reply wasn’t expected by Macbeth. They said that he is the Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis and the king. Macbeth then surprisingly asks the witches that how come is he the future Thane of Cawdor and the king?

Macbeth becomes curious about their words and wants to know more about his future. Putting Macbeth into curiosity, the three witches disappeared.

                                                    *Witches Disappears*

Macbeth and Banquo had a talk about the bizarre happening after the witches left as to know it is possible.

                                           * ROSS and ANGUS enters the scene*

Ross appreciates in front of them and says that the exploits Macbeth did in the fight against the rebels made the king inarticulate. Cawdor is a part of Scotland. Despite being a part of it the Thane of Cawdor got affiliated with Norway. The king was also shocked on knowing that Macbeth heroically killed everyone around him.

Ross says them that they were sent to bring them to the king as they will be giving the real reward of their bravery. He also gives Macbeth a shocking news which left him gobsmacked. He told that the title ‘Thane of Cawdor’ will be given to Macbeth by the king.  The current Thane of Cawdor has been given a death sentence.

Part 2: Macbeth Act 1 Summary

Macbeth Scene 4 Summary:

*KING DUNCAN, LENNOX, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, and their attendants enter the scene*

The scene starts with King Duncan asking his son Malcolm about the Thane of Cawdor’s execution. Malcolm further says him that The Thane of Cawdor asks him forgiveness for the guilty he did. The king says:

“There’s no art

To find the mind’s construction in the face.”

It signifies; there is no way someone can read a man’s mind by looking at his face. The king trusted the Thane completely.

                                              *Angus, Banquo and Macbeth enters*

The king out of jubilation appreciates Macbeth and says that it’s perhaps impossible to reward him properly. The things he did for his country was inevitable. The king literally owes him more than he can ever repay.

The king also announces his son Malcolm as the prince of Cumberland.

Macbeth Scene 5 Summary:

This scene starts with Lady Macbeth reading a letter.

The letter talks about Macbeth’s encounter with the witches and the things that happened at that site. Macbeth tells him that the witches were having some sort of supernatural knowledge attributed to them as one of their prediction came true on him. Lady Macbeth was also shaken on knowing that.

                                                 *A servant enters*

The servant comes in and says that the king will be visiting their place at the night.

                                                 *Macbeth Enters*

Macbeth tells her wife that King Duncan will be visiting. Lady Macbeth asks him on when will he be leaving. Tomorrow was his reply. This is how Lady Macbeth responded:

O, never

Shall sun that morrow see!