Plot & Key Ideas

• Act One : Spark of Ambition

  Three Witches prophesize that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, while Banquo's descendants will be kings

  King Duncan rewards Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor

  Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth about the prophecy and immediately plots Duncans murder

  Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan by emasculating him
• Act Three: Macbeth’s Paranoia Deepens


  Macbeth fears the prophecy and hires assassins to kill Banquo and his son Fleance

  Banquo is murdered but Fleance escapes

  At a banquet Macbeth hallucinates Banquo's ghost

  Macbeth decides to meet the witches again
• Act Four: More Prophecies & Tyranny


  Witches tell Macbeth:

  Beware of Macduff

  No man born of woman can harm Macbeth

  He wont be defeated until Birnham Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill

  Macbeth orders murder of Macduffs wife and children

  Macduff joins Malcolm in England
• Act Five: Macbeth's Downfall


  Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and dies offstage

  Malcolms army cuts tree branches from Birnam Wood

  Macbeth fights with Macduff but learns he was born via C section

  Macduff kils Macbeth and places his head on a spike

  Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland