ACT 1, Scene 1
The play opens with three witches appearing out a storm above a Scottish moor. They plan a meeting with the Scottish nobleman Macbeth, who is currently fighting in a great battle.
Act 1, Scene 2
At a military base near the king’s palace at Forres, King Duncan of Scotland asks a wounded captain for updates about the Scottish battle with the Irish rebel invaders, who are led by the rebel Macdonwald. The captain, who’d been wounded by helping King Duncan's son Malcolm escape Irish capture, replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo were very courageous, he praises Macbeth for killing Macdonwald (the rebel leader) in battle.
A Scottish nobleman, the thane of Ross, enters and describes how the Thane of Cawdor has been a traitor. Duncan orders Cawdor be put to death and the hero of the victorious army, Macbeth, be given the title of thane of Cawdor. Ross leaves to tell Macbeth the news.
A Scottish nobleman, the thane of Ross, enters and describes how the Thane of Cawdor has been a traitor. Duncan orders Cawdor be put to death and the hero of the victorious army, Macbeth, be given the title of thane of Cawdor. Ross leaves to tell Macbeth the news.
Act 1, Scene 3
Travelling back from the battle against the Irish, Macbeth and his friend Banquo come across the three witches. They hail Macbeth as thane of Glamis (his original title) and as thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is confused by the second title due to the fact that he hasn't heard of King Duncan's decision yet.
The witches also predict Macbeth will become King of Scotland. Next, they turn to Banquo and continue to speak in riddles. The call Banquo "lesser than Macbeth, and greater," and "not so happy, yet much happier" (63-65); then they tell Banquo that he will never become king but his children will. The witches vanish.
Macbeth fixates on the details of the prophecy. Banquo laughs at it but Macbeth is excited. They are interrupted by the arrival of Ross and Angus who announce that Macbeth has been made the new thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is amazed that the prophecy is true and asks Banquo if he hopes for his children to become kings (121). Banquo replies that devils often speak half-truths in order to "win us to our harm" (121). Macbeth ignores him and speaks to himself, he wonders if the title of king will simply fall to him or if he will have to perform a dark deed in order to gain it.
The witches also predict Macbeth will become King of Scotland. Next, they turn to Banquo and continue to speak in riddles. The call Banquo "lesser than Macbeth, and greater," and "not so happy, yet much happier" (63-65); then they tell Banquo that he will never become king but his children will. The witches vanish.
Macbeth fixates on the details of the prophecy. Banquo laughs at it but Macbeth is excited. They are interrupted by the arrival of Ross and Angus who announce that Macbeth has been made the new thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is amazed that the prophecy is true and asks Banquo if he hopes for his children to become kings (121). Banquo replies that devils often speak half-truths in order to "win us to our harm" (121). Macbeth ignores him and speaks to himself, he wonders if the title of king will simply fall to him or if he will have to perform a dark deed in order to gain it.
Act 1, Scene 4
Macbeth and Banquo return to the king's palace with Ross and Angus. King Duncan thanks the two generals for their battle heroism. Duncan announces his intention to name his son Malcolm as the heir to his throne. Macbeth acts joyous but thinks to himself that Malcolm now stands in his way to the crown. Macbeth invites Duncan to dine at his castle that evening and goes ahead of the royal party to inform his wife of the king’s upcoming arrival.
Act 1, Scene 5
In Macbeth's castle in Inverness, Lady Macbeth is excited by reading a letter from her husband. The letter announces Macbeth's promotion to thane of Cawdor and articulates his meeting with the witches. She murmurs that she knows Macbeth is ambitious, but fears he's too full of "th' milk of human kindness" to take the steps to make himself king (15). A messenger informs her that the King and Macbeth are arriving. As she awaits, she delivers a famous speech in which she begs, "you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me her (remove her gender) / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty" (41). She resolves to put her femininity aside so she can do the bloody work to kill the king and get to the crown. On Macbeth's arrival, she tells him of her plans and to leave it to her.
Act 1, Scene 6
King Duncan, Scottish lords and others arrive at Macbeth's castle. Duncan comments on the castle’s pleasant environment and thanks Lady Macbeth for her hospitality. She responds that she and her husband owe so much to their king and it is their duty.
Act 1, Scene 7
In the castle, Macbeth ponders on the idea of killing Duncan. He weighs up the consequences but declares his willingness to risk going to hell. Later, Macbeth tells his wife that he no longer wants to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth is outraged and calls him a coward and questions his masculinity, “When you durst do it then you were a man” she says (49). She promises that they will be successful as long as if they are bold.
She tells him her plan: while Duncan sleeps, they will make the chamberlains drunk and slip in and kill Duncan. Next they will smear the blood on the sleeping chamberlains to make them look guilty of the crime. Macbeth is amazed by the daring plan and tells his wife that her "undaunted mettle" makes him hope she'll only birth male children (73). He agrees to the murder.
She tells him her plan: while Duncan sleeps, they will make the chamberlains drunk and slip in and kill Duncan. Next they will smear the blood on the sleeping chamberlains to make them look guilty of the crime. Macbeth is amazed by the daring plan and tells his wife that her "undaunted mettle" makes him hope she'll only birth male children (73). He agrees to the murder.
ACT 2, Scene 1
Banquo and his son Fleance are walking through the torch-lit hall of Macbeth's castle. Banquo wishes to stay awake since his sleep has lately brought "cursed thoughts" (8). Macbeth enters and Banquo is surprised to see him up, he mentions to Macbeth his dream about the "three weird sisters" (the witches). Banquo suggests that the witches revealed "some truth" to Macbeth, Macbeth claims he has not thought about the event since the encounter (19-20).
After they leave, Macbeth suddenly hallucinates a dagger floating in the air with the tip aiming him to Duncan. He wonders if it is real or a “dagger of the mind, a false creation / Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain” (2.1.38–39). He realises it is just a vision when he sees blood appear on it. The night around him seems to be full of witchcraft and thick with horror, he realises he is uneasy because of the plan to kill the king. Lady Macbeth rings a bell to signal the chamberlains are asleep.
After they leave, Macbeth suddenly hallucinates a dagger floating in the air with the tip aiming him to Duncan. He wonders if it is real or a “dagger of the mind, a false creation / Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain” (2.1.38–39). He realises it is just a vision when he sees blood appear on it. The night around him seems to be full of witchcraft and thick with horror, he realises he is uneasy because of the plan to kill the king. Lady Macbeth rings a bell to signal the chamberlains are asleep.
Act 2, Scene 2
Macbeth stabs King Duncan to death and returns with the daggers. He states that he thought he heard a voice cry out : “Sleep no more, / Macbeth does murder sleep” (33–34).
Lady Macbeth tries to calm her husband but then is angry when she realises he had brought the daggers back. She plants them on the chamberlains, smearing their clothes with blood and returns. He desperately asks, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” (58–59).
There is knocking at the front door. With great difficulty, she leads her husband back to their bedchamber, “A little water clears us of this deed,” she tells him. “How easy it is then!” (65–66).
Lady Macbeth tries to calm her husband but then is angry when she realises he had brought the daggers back. She plants them on the chamberlains, smearing their clothes with blood and returns. He desperately asks, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” (58–59).
There is knocking at the front door. With great difficulty, she leads her husband back to their bedchamber, “A little water clears us of this deed,” she tells him. “How easy it is then!” (65–66).
Act 2, Scene 3
A porter opens the front gate and Macduff and Lennox enter the castle. Macbeth greets them and in short clipped sentences, says that Duncan is still asleep. Macduff goes into the kings room, returning and crying "O horror, horror, horror!", shouting that the king has been murdered (59). Lady Macbeth appears, followed by the king's two sons Malcolm and Donalbain. They are told their father has likely been killed by the chamberlains who were found with bloody daggers. Macbeth declares that he has killed the chamberlains in his fury.
The two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain are suspicious, they decide that they are not safe and Malcolm decides to go south to England and Donalbain will hurry to Ireland. Lady Macbeth fainted and is taken away ill.
The two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain are suspicious, they decide that they are not safe and Malcolm decides to go south to England and Donalbain will hurry to Ireland. Lady Macbeth fainted and is taken away ill.
Act 2, Scene 4
Macduff tells Ross, a thane, that Macbeth has been appointed king of Scotland. He says that it is likely the chamberlains were the murders, paid off by someone to kill Duncan. The suspects are believed to be Duncan's two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, because the two princes they have fled the scene.
ACT 3, Scene 1
In the royal palace of Forres (the residence of the late King Duncan), Banquo thinks about the prophecies of the weird sisters. The witches predicted that Macbeth would be king and Banquo's children would be the heirs to the throne.
Macbeth is dressed in royal clothing, followed by Lady Macbeth, now his queen. Macbeth mentions to Banquo that they should discuss Malcolm and Donalbain as the brothers have fled from Scotland and may be plotting against him.
Banquo is alone and talks to himself through a monologue. He says that Banquo is the only man he fears. He says that if the witches' prophecy is true, his reign will be a "fruitless crown", meaning he have no heir and the crown will be passed out of Macbeth's own family. He believes that the murder of Duncan, which is heavy on his conscience, simply cleared a path for Banquo's sons to other throw Macbeth and rule Scotland (which was the witch’s third prediction - that Banquo's children will also be kings).
Macbeth therefore hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong.
Macbeth is dressed in royal clothing, followed by Lady Macbeth, now his queen. Macbeth mentions to Banquo that they should discuss Malcolm and Donalbain as the brothers have fled from Scotland and may be plotting against him.
Banquo is alone and talks to himself through a monologue. He says that Banquo is the only man he fears. He says that if the witches' prophecy is true, his reign will be a "fruitless crown", meaning he have no heir and the crown will be passed out of Macbeth's own family. He believes that the murder of Duncan, which is heavy on his conscience, simply cleared a path for Banquo's sons to other throw Macbeth and rule Scotland (which was the witch’s third prediction - that Banquo's children will also be kings).
Macbeth therefore hires two murderers to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong.
Act 3, Scene 2
Macbeth tells his wife that his mind is "full of scorpions" (27). He tells Lady Macbeth that he has planned "a deed of dreadful note" for Banquo and Fleance, he asks her to be nice to Banquo during the evening feast to lure their next victim into a false sense of security (45).
Act 3, Scene 3
The two murders set upon Banquo and Fleance. They kill Banquo who urges his son to flee and avenge his death. Fleance escapes. They leave to announce the news to Macbeth.
Act 3, Scene 4
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin the feast with the noble guests. The murderer speaks to Macbeth at the door, telling him that Fleance got away. Macbeth is angry. He thinks to himself that if only Fleance had died, his throne would be safe. Instead, "the worm that's fled / Hath nature that in time will venom breed" (28-29)
Returning, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost sitting at the head of the table. Macbeth is terrified and speaks to the ghost, which is invisible to the others. Lady Macbeth tells the guests to ignore his behaviour and urges Macbeth to snap out of his trance. The ghost vanishes and Macbeth states “I have a strange infirmity which is nothing / To those that know me” (3.4.85–86). A few moments later, the ghost returns and petrifies Macbeth once again. Lady Macbeth sends the alarmed guests away. Macbeth think's he is going mad.
Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he has heard from a servant-spy that Macduff is keeping away from them, behaviour that may be classed as treason (121). He says he'll visit the witches tomorrow to learn about who is plotting against him.
Returning, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost sitting at the head of the table. Macbeth is terrified and speaks to the ghost, which is invisible to the others. Lady Macbeth tells the guests to ignore his behaviour and urges Macbeth to snap out of his trance. The ghost vanishes and Macbeth states “I have a strange infirmity which is nothing / To those that know me” (3.4.85–86). A few moments later, the ghost returns and petrifies Macbeth once again. Lady Macbeth sends the alarmed guests away. Macbeth think's he is going mad.
Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he has heard from a servant-spy that Macduff is keeping away from them, behaviour that may be classed as treason (121). He says he'll visit the witches tomorrow to learn about who is plotting against him.
Act 3, Scene 5
The witches meet with Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. Hecate tells them to lull Macbeth into a false sense of security and "draw him on to his confusion" (29).
Act 3, Scene 6
Lennox and another lord discuss what has happened with Banquo and Fleance. The murder has been blamed on Fleance as he has fled, but both men suspect Macbeth, who they call a "tyrant" for both the murders of Duncan and Banquo. The lord tells that Macduff has gone to England to join Malcolm in pleading with England's King Edward for help. News of this has prompted Macbeth to prepare for war.
ACT 4, Scene 1
Macbeth asks the witches to reveal the truth of their prophecies. The first is a warning to beware of Macduff. The second says that "none of woman born / shall harm Macbeth" (96-97). Next, he is told he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill. The last image is of eight crowned kings walking by, the last carrying a mirror. Banquo's ghost walks at the end of the line. The witches vanish before Macbeth can ask questions.
Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth sends murderers to capture Macduff's castle, he asks them to kill Macduff.
Lennox tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth sends murderers to capture Macduff's castle, he asks them to kill Macduff.
Act 4, Scene 2
Macduff is not at the castle, the murderers brutally kill Macduff's wife and children.
Act 4, Scene 3
Malcolm says King Edward of England has lent him 10,000 men to fight Macbeth. Ross tells Macduff that his wife and children were murdered. Malcolm urges Macduff to turn his heavy grieving into anger. Macduff assures he will seek revenge from Macbeth.
ACT 5, Scene 1
At night, a doctor and a woman discuss Lady Macbeth's strange sleepwalking. Lady Macbeth enters in a trance, expressing regret of Lady Macduff and Banquo. Lady Macbeth thinks she has blood on her hands and claims that it will never wash off. The doctor and woman think she’s mad or carrying a secret.
Act 5, Scene 2
The English army is approaching, led by Malcolm, and the Scottish army will meet and join them near Birnam Wood (the name of the forest in the witches prophecy).
Act 5, Scene 3
Macbeth boasts that he has nothing to fear of the English army or Malcolm, since "none of woman born" can harm him (96) and he'll rule "till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane" (2). The doctor tells the king that Lady Macbeth cannot rest due to delusional "thick-coming fancies".
Act 5, Scene 4
Near to Birnam Wood, Malcolm conceals the armies numbers by telling each soldier to cut down a tree of the forest and carry it in front of them as they move towards Macbeth’s castle.
Act 5, Scene 5
Seyton tells Macbeth that the queen is dead. He famously declares that life is “a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing” (25–27). A messenger enters with astonishing news: the trees of Birnam Wood are advancing towards Dunsinane. Macbeth is terrified as he recalls that the witches’ prophecy stated he could not die till Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane. One by one, the witches' prophecies are coming true.
Act 5, Scene 6
The battle begins. Malcolm orders the English soldiers to drop the trees and draw their swords.
Act 5, Scene 7
Macbeth strikes those around him on the battlefield, arrogant because the prophecy says he cannot be killed by any one born of a woman.
Act 5, Scene 8
Macduff searches the battle for Macbeth, whom he wants to personally kill.
Act 5, Scene 9
Malcolm and Siward enter the castle.
Act 5, Scene 10
Macbeth finally encounters Macduff. They fight, Macbeth insists he cannot be killed as the witches prophecy states no man born of a woman can kill him, Macduff tells Macbeth he wasn't woman born, but "from his mother's womb / Untimely ripped", a cesarean (15-16).
Act 5, Scene 11
Macduff enters the castle and shows Malcolm and Siward the head of Macbeth, declaring Malcolm the King of Scotland. Malcolm declares all his thanes will be made earls. They will be first at such a hierarchy in Scottish history due to the usage of the English system.