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 C

Then Banquo and Macbeth enter the scene. Shakespeare throws in a pinch of humor at a tense situation, something he does in other parts of this play. Banquo says, "You should be women, / And yet your beards forbid me to interpret / That you are so" (lines 45 - 47).

Macbeth challenges the witches, questioning their prophecies. He says, "The Thane of Cawdor lives, / A prosperous gentleman . . . / . . . Say from whence / You owe this strange intelligence?" (lines 72 - 73).

aptain 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.

Macbeth enters and she tells him to let her take care of the business. Duncan's expected departure tomorrow from the castle, "O, never / Shall sun that morrow see!" as Lady Macbeth puts it (lines 61 - 62).

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lady Macbeth, Thane Cawdor, , Macbeth Banquo, King Duncan, King Cawdor, Duncan Captain, Prince Cumberland, Banquo Macbeth, Scene VII, lady macbeth, thane cawdor, * scene, king duncan, tells king, thane cawdor line, macbeth's character, cawdor line, plan murder, king lady, throne malcolm, king lady macbeth, title thane cawdor,
Approximate Word count = 1868
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)