The first act sets the tone for the rest of the play. what sort of mood do you detect from the stormy setting at the outset of the play, the presence of the witches, and the description of battle? macbeth

The whole effect of the presence of the witches, the storm , and the description of the battle set an atmosphere of turbulence, conflict, and evil. There is an impending doom, as the King is about to order the execution of the Thane of Cawdor. The battle also foreshodows bloodshed, i.e. the violence through which Macbeth will rise to his new position, but also the violent death of the king himself.

“thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more.”

“hath taught me to set in trifles no store,”

“me lusteth no longer rotten boughs to climb.”