At the start of the play Macbeth is characterized as an exceptionally noble man, who is both trustworthy and honorable. He is also shown as being very loyal to his King and Country. This loyalty is shown in the first few scenes when we are told of how valiantly he has fought and won for his country and his king. The king speaks very highly about Macbeth to his aids and seems to have great respect for Macbeth.
During the next scene Macbeth and Banquo are confronted by three witches who call to Macbeth saying, "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! That shall be King hereafter". Macbeth thinks nothing of this prophecy of him becoming Thane of Cawdor and then king, as he still believes the Thane of Cawdor is alive. However, the next day, when Macbeth receives the news that the Thane of Cawdor is dead and that he is now the thane of Cawdor he starts thinking what if the witches prophecy is true. This scene was the turning point in the play as in the moment where he is given the title of Thane of Cawdor, evil thoughts start creeping into his head and his lust to succeed start to become more aroused in his thoughts. Macbeth is still a good man at this point but he is just a lot more conscious of the power he could have.
The next few scenes are a constant dilemma in Macbeths mind although his surprise at Malcolm becoming Prince of Cumberland shows that he had already decided that he was going to be king, and that that was the way he thought it was going to come about. He shows this by saying "The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o"erleap, for in my way it lies", but then kind of feels ashamed of having such dark thoughts and says "Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. .
Duncan, the king is then to be staying at Macbeths Castle and there is also to be a feast.
