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In this episode of Read It and (Don’t) Weep, we begin reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth by looking at Act 1, Scenes 1 and 2. The play opens during a storm as three witches briefly meet to plan their next gathering. Their famous line, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” introduces one of the play’s central ideas, things are not always what they seem.
From this eerie beginning, we move to a military camp where King Duncan receives news about the battle. A wounded soldier describes how Macbeth fought bravely against the rebel leader, Macdonald, and helped secure victory for Scotland. Even when a second attack begins, Macbeth and Banquo continue to fight successfully against the invading forces.
By the end of the scene, King Duncan rewards Macbeth’s loyalty and bravery. This moment introduces Macbeth as a respected and heroic figure, but it also begins to set important events into motion for the rest of the play.
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