macbeth

• The play opens with three witches chanting on a bleak moorland. In the next scene we hear a battle report in which a soldier Macbeth bravely fought in a battle to defend Scotland.
• Macbeth and Banquo discover three witches.The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be promoted to Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Banquo's descendants will be kings, Banquo isn't promised any kingdom himself.
• Macbeth returns to his castle, followed almost immediately by King Duncan. The Macbeths plot together to kill Duncan and wait until everyone is asleep. At the agreed time, Lady Macbeth gives the guards drugged wine so Macbeth can enter and kill the King.
• When Macduff discovers the murder, Macbeth kills the drunken guards in a show of rage and retribution. Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee, fearing for their own lives; but they are, nevertheless, blamed for the murder.
• Macbeth becomes King of Scotland but is plagued by feelings of insecurity. He remembers the prophecy that Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne and arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to be killed. In the darkness, Banquo is murdered, but his son escapes the assassins.
• At his state banquet that night, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and worries the courtiers with his mad response. Lady Macbeth dismisses the court and unsuccessfully tries to calm her husband.
• Macbeth seeks out the witches who say that he will be safe until a local wood, Birnam Wood, marches into battle against him. He also need not fear anyone born of woman. They also prophesy that the Scottish succession will still come from Banquo's son.
• Macbeth embarks on a reign of terror, slaughtering many, including Macduff's family. Macduff had gone to seek Malcolm at the court of the English king. Malcolm is young and unsure of himself, but Macduff, pained with grief, persuades him to lead an army against Macbeth.
• Macbeth feels safe in his remote castle at Dunsinane until he is told that Birnam Wood is moving towards him. Malcolm's army is carrying branches from the forest as camouflage for their assault on Macbeth's stronghold.
• Meanwhile, an overwrought and guilty Lady Macbeth walks in her sleep and tells her secrets to her doctor. She commits suicide.
• As the final battle commences, Macbeth hears of Lady Macbeth's suicide. In the midst of a losing battle, Macduff challenges Macbeth. Macbeth learns Macduff is the child of a caesarean birth (loophole!), realises he is doomed, and submits to his enemy.
• Macduff triumphs and brings the head of the traitor Macbeth to Malcolm. Malcolm declares peace and goes to Scone to be crowned king.
• Banquo


  • Macbeth's close friend and ally
  • Receives predictions from the witches
  • His response is more cautious than Macbeth's
  • The prediction that Banquo's child will become king spells Banquo's death, ordered by an increasingly resentful and paranoid Macbeth
  • Represents rationality and reason in contrast to Macbeth
• King Duncan


  • King of Scotland
  • His victories have made him a popular king
  • When Macbeth initially decides not to kill the king, he gives Duncan's many qualities as his reasons
  • He names his eldest son—Malcolm—as his heir
  • He dies at the hands of Macbeth, disrupting the Chain of Being or Natural Order
  • Too trusting—his trust in the original Thane of Cawdor was betrayed, as was his trust in Macbeth
• Macduff


  • The Thane of Fife
  • Loyal to Duncan and becomes suspicious of Macbeth early on
  • Leaves Scotland to join Malcolm in England
  • The witches warn Macbeth to "Beware Macduff" prompting Macbeth to have Macduff's family killed
  • His killing of Macbeth allows the Natural Order to be restored
  • Remains the noble hero throughout and serves as a contrast to Macbeth
• Malcolm


  • Duncan's rightful heir
  • Leaves for England after his father's murder and enlists the support of the English king and English lords
  • Shown as being noble and deserving of the throne
  • The embodiment of all that is good in kingship
  • His restoration to the Scottish throne is essential for the Chain of Being/Natural Order to be restored
• The Witches


  • Directly influence the actions of Macbeth
  • Macbeth did not have to act on their prophecies, but when he did, his death was sealed
  • Represent the dangers of the supernatural
• The play is a Shakespearean tragedy.The play centres around a tragic hero. Usually he is male,with high status at the start of the play and some moral virtues. combination of the character's fatal flaw (their hamartia). the character is set off on a path of self-destruction from which they cannot escape. they have a moment of realisation in which they realise their mistake, but it is too late to turn back. audiences were meant to have a sense of they could experience the intense emotions of the plot not making the same mistakes as the protagonist.