Act 1, Scene 5 Summary

The next scene takes place in Macbeth's castle in Inverness, where Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from Macbeth. The letter recounts his encounter with the three "weird sisters" and the prophecy of his ensuing Kingship. He wishes her to share in his rejoicing, referring to her as "my dearest partner of greatness." She, in soliloquy, conveys her fear that Macbeth is too soft, too filled with "the milk of human kindness" to do the things he must do to fulfill the prophecy. She waits eagerly to advise him as to his course now the Fates have stepped in to prepare his for his glorious crown. Hearing that Duncan will arrive in her castle after Macbeth, she invokes the forces of darkness to prepare her for a murderous intrigue against the King that will accelerate her husband to the throne. Macbeth...