Macbeth Act 1: From Hero to Villain

The witches get things rolling with their creepy meeting, chanting "fair is foul and foul is fair" – basically saying that nothing is what it seems. This line becomes massively important because it sets up the whole theme of deception that runs through the play.

Meanwhile, Macbeth is being a proper war hero, literally cutting enemies in half ("unseamed him from the nave to the chops"). King Duncan is so chuffed with Macbeth's loyalty that he gives him the title Thane of Cawdor, replacing a traitor who's just been executed.

Everything changes when the witches drop their prophecy on Macbeth and Banquo. They tell Macbeth he'll be king, and that Banquo's sons will also rule one day. When the first part comes true (getting the Cawdor title), Macbeth starts seriously considering murder.

Key Quote Alert: "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" - Macbeth's first words echo the witches, showing he's already connected to their evil influence.

Lady Macbeth completely steals the show when she reads her husband's letter about the prophecies. She immediately starts planning Duncan's murder, asking dark spirits to "unsex me here" and replace her milk with poison. When Duncan innocently rocks up to their castle, she's already plotting his death.

The act ends with Macbeth having serious doubts ("if we should fail?"), but Lady Macbeth questions his masculinity ("are you a man?") and bullies him into committing to the murder. Shakespeare shows us exactly how a good man can be manipulated into doing terrible things.