The scene opens with three witches entering an open plain. Thunder and lightning surround them, as the first witch asks of the other witches, "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" (lines 1-2). The second witch replies that they will meet "when the hurlyburly's done, when the battle's lost and won." (lines 3-4), and the third witch says that "that will be ere the set of the sun"(line 5). The witches proceed to discuss where they will meet, and decide that they will meet "upon the heath" (line 7). The third witch then prophesies that they will meet Macbeth there. They leave with one final chorus: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair Hover through the fog and filthy air," symbolizing the inversion of the world.

             Scene II.

             A Captain tells King Duncan and his son, Malcolm, about a battle that was fought against Macdonwald (a rebel). This battle quickly fulfills the first of many prophecies supplied by the witches.

             Macbeth, the title character, is first brought into the story as part of the Captain's report. Macbeth's character is greatly built up in this second scene by both the Captain and King Duncan. The Captain says, "For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name . . . nev'r shook hands, nor bade farewell to him [Macdonwald], Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops [gutted Macdonwald], And fixed his head upon our battlements" (lines 17 - 23). Macbeth is portrayed as brave, heroic, bold, and fearless in the face of death. The King adds, "O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!" (line 24). Now we know that he has relation to the king and the throne, which is important later.

             Ross, a Thane of Scotland, enters the scene and tells the King about a conflict against Norway in which Scotland was victorious. He also says, "[Norway was] Assisted by that most disloyal traitor The Thane of Cawdor" (lines 53 - 54). The King says, "No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest: go pronounce him present [immediate] death, And with his former title greet Macbeth.