Macbeth first enters in Act1-Scene3, while travelling with Banquo. When confronted by the witches on the heath, Macbeth is hailed, firstly as Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, then prophetically as Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor, and thirdly as Macbeth, a king to be hereafter. When Macbeth first hears the prophecy he is startled, the witches have succeeded in attracting his attention. He begins to think of the possible ways in which the kingship could be bestowed upon him. The prospect of being king has aroused his curiosity although he still believes the thought to be absurd. He tries to question the witches further but they vanish and he is unable to learn anything more. However, the seeds of ambition and power have been sown and this scene is important in establishing Macbeth’s aspirations and motivation for future events.
Shortly after this Macbeth learns from Ross and Angus that Duncan was delighted with the news of the victories, sending through them his personal thanks, and bestowing upon Macbeth the title which the treacherous Thane of Cawdor had jeopardised and lost. Banquo and Macbeth are amazed over this immediate fulfilment of what the second witch had prophesised. In an effort to avert suspicion from his guilty thoughts, he reminds Banquo of the prophecy concerning Banquo’s descendants. But Banquo, not taken in at all, reminds Macbeth that there is still a prophecy promising Macbeth the throne. Banquo remains distrustful and warns Macbeth that the powers of evil sometimes tell small truths only to betray them in things of deeper consequence. Banquo clearly states that the witches are evil and that it will result in great trouble. Macbeth is aware of the evil that looms but does not want this to get in the way of his ambition of becoming king. A wave of guilt sweeps over Macbeth as the idea of killing Duncan to get to the throne has already occurred to him “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man, that function Is smothered in surmise, and nothing is But what is not.”
Macbeth in his first soliloquy, reveals the struggle going on in his mind, the idea of killing Duncan. Finally he reveals the basic weaknesses in his character, wherein “function Is smother’d in surmise.” He concludes the soliloquy with a decision to let fate rule his destiny. He has not, however, closed the door completely upon the prospect of acting in some way to help fulfil the prophecy, for he proposes to Banquo that they give the matter some thought and discuss it at some future time.
In Act 1-Scene 4 Macbeth’s current course of action towards kingship, to let fate decide, is severely downtrodden when Duncan announces out of the blue that his son Malcolm is to be his successor. Macbeth had been determined that he would allow fate to crown him, but seen as this was going so badly now he saw it fit to take action to realise his own ambitions. He covers his anger and dismay with his well-polished courtier skills. He acts the part of a humble, loyal servant to the king while he still plots to kill him and hastens to his home.
One of the major influences on Macbeth within the play is his wife, Lady Macbeth. At the beginning of Act 1-Scene 5 is when Lady Macbeth first enters, reading a letter which her husband had deemed important enough to be sent by special messenger. In it he reveals the witches’ prophecies. Having read the letter Lady Macbeth speaks and we immediately see the strength of her character, a woman of incredible will. We see that her ambition is for Macbeth and not for herself. She reveals to us her good understanding of Macbeth’s morals “What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily”, but she knows that he can be quite willing to do wrong. Macbeth is afraid of murdering Duncan, however, perhaps through fear of being found out. She is anxious for him to arrive back home so that she might spur him on to commit the deed that will make him king. Upon Macbeth’s arrival she discovers that King Duncan is to stay the night at their home. She greets this new information with an exultant joy, and prepares for his visit by calling upon the supernatural to harden her and make her callous and cruel. Lady Macbeth states with murderous intent that tomorrow will never come for Duncan. Knowing that Macbeth may be overcome with indecision, Lady Macbeth takes control and organises the murder. Macbeth displays his unwillingness by suggesting delay and further discussion. She ignores his plea and tells him to leave all the details to her.
In Act 1-Scene 7 Macbeth’s soliloquy reveals once more his indecisive weaknesses of character. His thoughts reveal to us that it is the prospect of retribution that holds him back from the deed and not his horror of murder. In addition, his duties as host, as relative, and as a subject all combine to discourage Macbeth from murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth joins him and is told that he does not want to commit the murder. She is annoyed when he refuses to go on, giving as his reason his desire to enjoy for a while the new honours.