The play starts with the three witches discussing meeting Macbeth after the battle is over. After this, the scene moves to the court of King Duncan, where he is given news of Macbeth's great success in battle against rebel lords by a bloodied captain. He is also informed of the treachery of the Thane of Cawdor and because of Macbeth's great victory in battle, plans to give that title to Macbeth after executing the treasonous thane. The third scene begins with the three witches casting a curse on the husband of a rude lady when Macbeth and Banquo enter the scene. Macbeth is greeted as the Thane of Cawdor and eventually king, surprising him as he has not yet been granted either title. When Banquo asks about his own fate, he is told he will father kings but not be a king himself. Before the witches can be questioned more, they disappear into thin air. Angus and Ross arrive and explain to Macbeth how he became the Thane of Cawdor after the previous one was executed for treason. This leads to a soliloquy from Macbeth as he questions his dark inner thoughts of killing the king and his own deep repression of those thoughts before the group leaves. Duncan names his son Malcolm as his successor, giving Macbeth another hurdle to jump for the throne. Macbeth's wife receives his letter with news about the witches' prophesy and resolves herself to commit whatever deeds are necessary to make Macbeth the king, even when Macbeth's resolve seems shaky. The next scene Lady Macbeth greets Duncan, who ironically compliments the fine state of his eventually murder site, and she takes him inside. Macbeth is changing his mind about murdering Duncan, listing reasons against it, but Lady Macbeth convinces him to do the deed with a plan involving framing the drunken chamberlains.