Macbeth

• What is Macbeth about?

  • An ambitious noble man who murders the Scottish king after some witches make a prediction that he will rule Scotland
  • Becomes a cruel king who commits many crimes before he is eventually killed
• How many plays did Shakespeare write?


  At least 37 plays and a lot of poems
• What are the three different types of plays that Shakespeare writes?

  Comedies, histories and tragedies
• What is one of Shakespeare’s best known tragedies?

  Macbeth
• When was Macbeth written?


  The 1600s
• When was William Shakespeare born and when did he die?

  He was born in 1564 in Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire and he died at aged 52 in 1616
• When did Shakespeare Write most of his place?

  1589 to 1613
• Where in the theatre would the Poor and the rich stand or sit?

  The poor people stood in front of the stage. If it rained they got wet. Where as the richer people sat in covered galleries?
• What do the three witches tell Macbeth and banquo in act one?

  Macbeth will be thane of Cawdor then King, they tell banquo his descendants will be king
• Who murders Duncan?

  Macbeth
• Prophecy

  A prediction of future events
• The stage directions at the start of the plate thunder and lightning show supernatural. It shows the control of the witches. It’s also a good example of pathetic fallacy as it gives the audience fear and uncertainty.
• What happens in act one scene one?

  The witches meet and talk about their plan to meet with Macbeth
• What happens in act 1 scene two?

  Macbeth is introduced to the audience as a brave hero by a sergeant. he told Duncan that Macbeth helped them win the battle.
• What happens in act one scene three?

  The witches meet Macbeth and tell him that he will become Thane of Cawdor and then king. They tell Banquo that he won’t be king but his sons will. later in the scene Ross and Angus tell Macbeth he has become the Thane of Cawdor so the witches first prophecy came true.
• What happens in act one scene four?

  Duncan receives the news of the execution of Cawdor. He thanks Banquo and Macbeth for their help in the battle. Duncan announces that the next king after him will be his son Malcolm.
• What happens in act one scene five?

  This scene opens with lady Macbeth reading a letter from Macbeth about his meeting with the witches. Lady Macbeth decides that they need to kill Duncan so Macbeth will soon be king .
• What happens in act one scene six?

  Duncan arrives at Macbeth Castle and is greeted by lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is warm and welcoming taking on the role of a typical Jacobean woman. Macbeth isn’t there although Duncan saw him on his journey but he thinks nothing of it.
• What happens in act one scene seven?


  At the beginning of the scene, Macbeth decides that they will no longer kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth enters telling Macbeth they will be killing the king and persuades him they should. They decide that they will put the blame onto the guards.