Boy - Lesson 5 - Stage Script Worksheet

In a dramatic opening to one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, "Macbeth," Act 1, Scene 1 sets the tone with a short yet powerful exchange among three mysterious figures, the Witches. The scene takes place in a desolate area, accentuated by the ominous atmosphere created by thunder and lightning. The Witches enter, and immediately we are drawn into their cryptic conversation. The First Witch questions, "When shall we three meet again / In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" which is promptly answered by the Second Witch, indicating that their next meeting will occur after the chaos of the battle, which is yet to be decided, has ceased. The Third Witch confirms that this meeting will happen before sunset.

The setting for their next encounter is established as the heath, where they plan to meet with the titular character, Macbeth. The dialogue is terse and foreboding, hinting at the supernatural elements that will pervade the play. As the Witches prepare to depart, they chant in unison a paradox that encapsulates the theme of the play: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." This line suggests the inversion of values and the blurring of lines between good and evil that will be explored throughout the play. The Witches then leave the scene, disappearing into the misty and polluted air, leaving a lingering sense of unease and anticipation for what is to come.