English resources/Macbeth/Act 1, Scene 2
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 2
A hurt soldier tells the king how Macbeth won the battle. The king gives Macbeth a new title.
Macbeth has 28 scenes in 5 acts, and Act 1 has 7 of them. Act 1, Scene 2 comes after Act 1, Scene 1 and before Act 1, Scene 3. The 4 key lines here come from the Captain and Duncan.
This scene in five words
DuncanrewardsMacbethwithCawdor
Hide these. Ask the class for their five. Then show them. Then play today's sentence.
What happens, in more detail
Duncan is at his camp near Forres when a wounded Captain arrives from the battle. He tells the king that the rebel Macdonwald was winning until Macbeth cut his way through, split him open and fixed his head on the castle walls, and that when the King of Norway attacked with fresh troops, Macbeth and Banquo simply fought harder.
Ross then arrives with more news. The Thane of Cawdor secretly helped Norway, but Scotland has still won the day in Fife. Duncan orders Cawdor's execution and gives his title to Macbeth, and Ross is sent to tell him.
Why it matters: we hear about Macbeth before we meet him, and what we hear is a brave soldier who is very good at killing. The title he is given belonged to a traitor, so the play ties Macbeth to treason before he has done anything wrong.
The quotes
4 big quotes in this scene.
brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)
Captain · Act 1, Scene 2 · violence · kingship
At the start, Macbeth is a hero. He wins the battle for the king.
O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!
Duncan · Act 1, Scene 2 · kingship
The king loves Macbeth. He trusts him. That is why he dies.
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won
Duncan · Act 1, Scene 2 · kingship · fate and free will
A traitor loses his title. Macbeth gets it. He gets a traitor's name before he does anything wrong.
Now play today's Long Story ShortOne real news sentence. Keep five of its words. Two minutes. Free. No login.Play now