Macbeth Group

Question:


arma
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What is the summary of Macbeth's Act I and Act II?

What was the influence of witches on those two acts? Also, are there any strange occurances in those acts. If so explain. Finally, how was the change of reactions on the characters in these two acts.

Thank you!

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Posted by arma on Friday November 16, 2007 at 8:16 AM and tagged with macbeth, plot.

Answers:


  1. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    In Act One, 3 witches meet and refer to a battle and Macbeth.  King Duncan of Scotland is told that his army has won a war, and that his Thane of Cawdor betrayed him.  Duncan swears to execute the Thane and give the title to Macbeth.  Macbeth and his friend Banquo meet the witches, who give various prophecies, including telling Macbeth he will be Thane of Cawdor and King.  A couple noblemen arrive and tell Macbeth he'll be the Thane.  King Duncan announces that his son Malcolm is next in line for king.  Macbeth starts wondering if he should help himself to be king.  His wife finds out about the prophecy and tries to convince Macbeth to kill Duncan.  After she calls him a coward, Macbeth agrees to Lady  Macbeth's wish.

    In Act II, Macbeth asks Banquo to be loyal to him.  Macbeth kills Duncan, and Lady Macbeth drugs the guards and plants the weapons on them to frame them.  The porter, drunk, talks about being the doorman to hell.  A nobleman named Macduff comes in the morning, and Duncan's dead body is found.  Macbeth kills the guards, insisting that they looked guilty and he couldn't help his rage.  Malcolm and his brother Donalbain feel that it is unsafe for them and run off to England and Ireland.   A few noblemen start to suspect that everything is a little to convenient for Macbeth, who is about to crowned King.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-ii-summary-analysis

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    Posted by sullymonster on Friday November 16, 2007 at 9:12 AM