Summary:

• Three witches chant
• First witch asks when the three witches will meet again.
• Second witch answers that they will meet after the battle is over.
• Third witch says they'll meet Macbeth tonight.
• They all cackle that things are not as they seem and fly away.

Act I scene II
Setting: army camp near King Duncan's castle

Summary:

• A sergeant comes from the battle to report to King Duncan how the war is going
• The sergeant reports that at first the victor was in doubt.
• The sergeant says that the rebel, McDonwald, seemed to be winning till brave Macbeth split him open
• The sergeant continues saying that no sooner was this battle won and then the lord of Norway attacked with an army.
• Ross says that Norway was assisted by the traitor, Thane of Cawdor, but both were defeated by Macbeth.
• King Duncan announces he will kill the traitor Cawdor and give his land and title to Macbeth as a reward for his service.

Act I scene III
Setting: abandoned heath

Summary:

• First witch tell others she has cursed a man because his wife would not give him her chestnuts.
• The man will be lost at sea, have no sleep, and become very weak, but will not die.
• Witches chant.
• Macbeth and Banquo question the reality of the witches.
• First witch says that Macbeth is Thane of Glamis.
• Second witch says Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor.
• Third witch prophesies that Macbeth will be king.
• Banquo asks to be told his fortune.
• First witch prophesies that Banquo will be "Lesser than Macbeth and greater."
• Second witch prophesies that Banquo will be "not so happy, yet much happier" than Macbeth.
• Third witch prophesies than Banquo will father kings but not be one.
• Witches hail Macbeth and Banquo.
• Witches vanish.
• Ross greets Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor.
• Ross tells Macbeth and Banquo that the current thane of Cawdor has been sentenced to death because he is a traitor.
• Macbeth begins to think of killing King Duncan.
• Macbeth decides not to do anything, other than his usual routine, in order to get the crown.
• Macbeth and Banquo will meet later to chat.

Act I scene IV
Setting: King Duncan, in his castle, awaits news

Summary:

• King Duncan asks if the Thane of Cawdor has been executed. Malcolm, his son, responds that he heard he is dead and that he died with much dignity, even more than with which he lived. The Thane of Cawdor confessed his treason and asked for pardon but it was not given to him.
• King Duncan reflects than one cannot read people's thoughts on their face. Before treason he fully trusted the Thane of Cawdor.
• Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus enter the room. Duncan greet Macbeth, calling him his worthiest cousin, and saying that thanks and recompense are not enough to pay for all he did in battle. The king also greets and embraces Banquo.
• Macbeth responds to the king's greeting by confessing that to be loyal and serve him is enough payment.
• King Duncan announces that Malcolm, his son, is to be future king and names him Prince of Cumberland. Also, the king tells Macbeth that the royal family is going to Inverness. Macbeth departs before they do to prepare for their arrival.
• Aside to himself Macbeth feels he must destroy Malcolm because he stands in his way to being king.

Act I scene V
Setting: Lady Macbeth enters Inverness reading a letter from Macbeth.

Summary:

• In the following letter Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth what follows:
•  Macbeth says that the three witches that meet him and Banquo (after winning the battle) have supernatural powers. The witches vanished into the air when he wanted to ask them something and he stood amazed. After the witches vanished Duncan's Messenger came greeting him as Thane of Cawdor. The three Weirs Sisters or witches had already called him Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he sends her this letter so that she can know what is in store for them. He also tells her to keep these news to herself.
• Lady Macbeth says to herself that Macbeth deserves to not only be the Thane of Glamis but of Cawdor also. She is afraid that Macbeth's tender heart can get in the way of her plans to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth highlights that Macbeth has the ambition to be great but that he wants to win the king's position by righteous ways.
• A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that Duncan is going to Inverness that night.
• The messenger confirms to Lady Macbeth that Macbeth is on his way to Inverness. He made it quicker to Inverness that Macbeth in order to deliver the news that Duncan was coming.
• Lady Macbeth asks for the night and sky to be dark so that Heaven cannot see what is happening.
• Macbeth enters and confirms to Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on his way. She asks him when Duncan is to leave Inverness and Macbeth responds tomorrow. Lady Macbeth the exclaims that he shall never leave or see the sunlight!
• Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to be like the innocent flower without but like the serpent within.
• Lady Macbeth says he should not waste the opportunity of being king now that he can, and to leave everything to her.

Act I scene VI
Setting: the surrounding outside atmosphere of Inverness, Macbeth's castle, around summertime

Summary:

• King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and Attendants are outside Inverness.
• Duncan comments that the location of Inverness is pleasant and that the clear and sweet air that flows around Inverness appeals to him. This is ironic because he is going to be betrayed by Macbeth who will kill him; (theme: appearance vs. reality).
• Lady Macbeth cynically responds that if whatever Macbeth and she could do for the King (Duncan) could be doubled or increased then they both would double it.
• Lady Macbeth says that in serving the King, Macbeth and she partially thank him. The past favors and the honors that Macbeth has earned are greater in value that the services that they have to offer the King (theme: appearance vs. reality).
• Duncan asks where the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth, is and notices that his great love and disposition to serve helped Macbeth get to Inverness before he did.
• Duncan calls Lady Macbeth fair and noble (theme: appearance vs. reality) and tells her that Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, Attendants, and he will be her overnight guests.
• Lady Macbeth tells Duncan that Macbeth and she, her servants, and all that Macbeth and she possess are at his command.
• Duncan tells Lady Macbeth to give him her hand and take him to Macbeth. He also says that he loves Macbeth and will continue to favor him.
• All go inside Inverness.
• 
  Act 1 scene VII
  Setting: Hautboys with torches, a Sewer, and servants scurry about Macbeth's Castle.

            Summary: 
            

• But there are three reasons why Macbeth feels he shouldn't kill Duncan.
• • First Macbeth is Duncan's kinsman, Macbeth serves the king because that is his place in the world.
  • Second, Macbeth said that he would not be honorable if he doesn't kill Duncan himself, face to face.
  • Third, Duncan is so loved by the people and the world that the whole world would weep his death.
  • Last, Macbeth has no will to be King, only ambition, that accomplishes nothing but pain and sorrow.
• Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he will not kill Duncan.
• Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that if he were a real man then he would kill Duncan to be King, she call's him a coward for not trying.
• Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he is not afraid to do everything that he needs to do to become a man but to kill another man just for the case of ambition is going too far.
• Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he was a man when he decided to kill Duncan and now he is less of a man.
• Lady Macbeth also said that Macbeth doesn't care about her because he doesn't want the best things for her and their children (assuming they have some, which isn't indicated in the story, or she could also be referring to the children that they are going to have)
• Macbeth is concerned if they get caught.
• Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that if they fail, they fail, but if they don't try, then neither one of them will know if they could have pulled it off and rule Scotland.
• Macbeth starts saying, " Well if we can somehow get the guards blamed for it." He is starting to consider doing it.
• Lady Macbeth said that there isn't anyone else in the kingdom that will be able to contest Macbeth's claim on the crown.
• Macbeth agrees with Lady Macbeth, and the two begin planning how they will kill Duncan.