Act I, Scene 1 The witches plan to
meet after the battle, which we find is a rebellion in Scotland. They are
summoned by their familiars and end with the theme of the play.
Act I, Scene 2 The king and his
thanes are at a camp and hear word of the battle from the bleeding sergeant.
The sergeant had saved Malcolm earlier. He says that the battle was doubtful,
with the rebel Macdonwald receiving reinforcements and luck. However, Macbeth
man aged to fight well, and killed the slave Macdonwald. A second attack by the
Norweyan lord angered Macbeth and he met their attacks so the Norwegians got
their butts kicked. The sergeant goes to get some medical attention, and then
Ross tells the rest of the story. Norway and the rebel Thane of Cawdor were met
by Macbeth and were defeated. The Norwegian king Sweno was forced to pay ten
thousand dollars. Macbeth is given the rebel Cawdor's title.
Act I, Scene 3 The witches meet
again, as planned. One has been killing pigs. Another witch is getting revenge
on the captain of the Tiger, who's wife has not given her a chestnut. Winds
summoned by her will blow in every direction, making the sailor throw up and
nev er sleep, though the ship will never be lost. The witch has the pilot's
thumb. Then Macbeth comes. The witches sing a little song. Macbeth comments on
the good and bad day, then Banquo sees the witches. They look human in some
ways, but don't in others. The witches hail Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, his
current title, as well as Cawdor, which he doesn't know he is to receive, and
King, which is a complete shock. Banquo is suprised that Macbeth isn't ecstatic
at the prophecy, and asks the witches why they have no prophecy for him. The
witches make important predictions to Banquo, as lesser but greater, less happy
but happier than Macbeth. They also say his children will become Kings. Macbeth
wants to know more. The witches vanish, and the two puzzle over the
disapperance. Ross and Angus come. Ross tells them the kind heard of his
victory in battle. They tell him the King will honor him in person, but that he
has also received the t itle of Cawdor. Macbeth asks why he is given someone
else's title and is told of the treason. Now Macbeth starts thinking the
prophecy might come true. Banquo is still worried. Macbeth is scared as he
considers killing the king to complete the prophecy. Banquo says he is getting
used to his new title. Macbeth comes out of his thinking and thanks the men. He
tells Banquo they will talk later.
Act I, Scene 4 The king asks if
Cawdor is executed yet and if the people who did it are back yet. Malcolm says
the aren't back but someone who saw it said Cawdor confessed and apologized, at
peace with himself so that death was not a problem, and the way he left was be
tter than the way he lived. Duncan makes a comment important to theme, saying
he trusted Cawdor, because he was deceptive in the way he acted. When Macbeth
arrives, Duncan thanks him for what he did, saying he can never repay him.
Macbeth says he was just doing his duty. Duncan says Macbeth will grow, and
Banquo will be close to his heart. Banquo also expresses his loyalty, saying
the benefit would be for Duncan. Duncan says he is happy despite troubles, and
declares his son Malcolm his successor, making Malcolm a problem in Macbeth's
getting the throne. Duncan decides to go to Macbeth's castle, and Macbeth goes
to tell his wife. Macbeth talks of how he is having dark thoughts about trying
to become king. Duncan comments on how great Banquo is and then follows him.
Act I, Scene 5 Lady Macbeth is
reading a letter from Macbeth, which tells about the witches prophecy. Lady
Macbeth says that her husband is too nice to get the greatness he is promised.
She decides to help him gain the crown. A messenger tells her the King is
coming. Lady Macbeth decides that Duncan will be killed while staying there.
She tries to get rid of all kind thoughts so that she can do the deed. She
tells her husband to appear normal, even while he plans to kill the King.
Act I, Scene 6 Duncan talks about
how pleasant the castle is. Banquo notes how the birds are abundant, marking it
for a nice place. Duncan greets Lady Macbeth, who returns the formality and
assures her loyalty. She leads them into the castle.
Act I, Scene 7 Macbeth contemplates
the crime and says he should do it soon if he does it. If this was all there
was to it, and all he had to worry about was the afterlife, he would do it. But
he is also judged here, and murdering may lead to his own death. He is supposed
to be loyal to Duncan as a relative and subject and host. And Duncan is such a
nice, great leader that whoever kills him will be damned. Everyone will be sad.
There is nothing to make him do it except ambition, which is like a spur but
also like a rider who jumps on a horse but falls off the other side. Lady
Macbeth says Duncan almost finished dinner. Macbeth doesn't want to kill
someone who has done him so well. Lady Macbeth asks what happened to his hope
that he had so much. She will not love him if he doesn't do this, what he
wants. Macbeth doesn't want to do it, and Lady Macbeth asks what happened since
he was so willing to do it before. She says that if she had sworn to, she would
kill a baby suckling at her breast. Lady Macbeth says they won't fail because
they will get the King's attendants drunk and make it look like they did it.
Macbeth comments on his wife's mannly mettle, and starts to believe his wife.
She says it will look like the servants did it, so Macbeth agrees to do it,
while hiding what he did from his face, a refernce to the theme.
Act II, Scene 1 Banquo and Fleance
are walking around and wondering at the time. Baquo is worried about the dark
thoughts in his head. Macbeth comes up and Banquo asks why he isn't sleeping
when Duncan went to bed happy and sent them gifts. Macbeth responds that he
wasn't as good a host because he was unprepared. Banquo dreamt of the witches
and Macbeth says they should talk about that later. Banquo wants to maintain
his loyalty to the king. Macbeth dismisses his servant and then imagines a
dagger before him, but he isn't sure if it is real. He says it encourages to do
the deed, showing him how. In the night, he dreams of Hecate and the witches,
of a wolf howling the time for murder, and compares his stealthy approach to
that of Tarquin. In horror, he resolves to do the deed.
Act II, Scene 2 Lady Macbeth says
that the alcohol that made the attendants drunk has given her courage. Omens of
death wish the king good night, and Macbeth is going to kill him as the drunk
attendants are unconscious. When Macbeth shows up she is afraid they woke up
and it didn't work. She would have done it if Duncan didn't look like her
fathe. But he did it, after some trouble. One attendant woke up and said "Murder"
but then they went ack to sleep. Donalbain either said "God bless us"
or "Amen" in response to Duncan saying it. Macbeth is troubled
because he could not say "Amen". Lady Macbeth says not to think that
way. Macbeth says he heard a voice saying he murdered sleep, which is described
as such a sweet and pleasant thing. She tells him not to think of such sickly
things and to wash his hands. She then agrees to put the daggers back, because
Macbeth doesn't want to. She says only kids fear death and sleep. She will get
some blood on the attendants to make them look guilty. Macbeth is troubled by
knocking and says that nothing can wash his hands clean, and the blood will
make the seas red. Lady Macbeth feels bad to have red hands but to be innocent
of the crime itself. She tells him to wash his hands and retire and put on his
nightgown so that they will not be suspicious to the watchers. Macbeth wishes
he did not know what he had done.
Act II, Scene 3 The porter hears
knocking and says that a porter at hell would have a busy job. He pretends to
be the porter of hell, and imagines the sort of people who would come, such as
a farmer who didn't get the high prices wanted, a traitor, and a tailor who
tried to overprice his garments. Finally he lets Macduff and Lennox in, and
they have a discussion about drinking. The porter tells how drink causes red
noses, sleep, and urine. He also says it causes lechery, though it takes away
the performance. Macbeth comes and greets Lennox and Macduff. Macbeth leads
Macduff to the king. Lennox comments on weird things that happened during the
night. Macduff returns, having discovered the murder. He is in hysterics,
telling them of the horror of horrors and calling for an alarm. He compares the
events transpiring to Judgement Day, when the dead rise up to a trumpet. Lady
Macbeth comes and asks what is going on. And Macduff tells Banquo when he
enters. Macbeth reenters commenting on how awful life is with the death of his
king. Malcolm and Donalbain are then informed what happened. Lennox says it
looked like the chamber attendants had done it. Macbeth says that in his fury,
he killed the attendants. Malcolm and Donalbain are afraid and agree to leave.
Banquo says they should reassemble to investigate the matter. Malcolm, in a
comment relevant to the theme, says it is easy to show a false sorrow. They
both agree it is not safe there and depart.
Act II, Scene 4 The old man says
this is the worst night he has ever seen. Ross speaks metaphorically of the
battle between light and dark. The old man compares it to an owl killing a
great falcon. Ross then talks of the mysterious event with the horses of Duncan
getting loose and eating each other. Macduff says it is thought the attendants
did the murder. He thinks they were paid by Malcolm and Donalbain. Macbeth is
said to have gone to Scone to get the crown. Duncan's body is said to be
buried. Macduff and Ross bid each other farewell. The old man bids them
farewell with a comment alluding again to the theme.
Act III, Scene 1 Banquo comments on
how Macbeth has everything he was promised, but he thinks Macbeth gained it
through evil. But Banquo hopes now that his prophecies will come true and his
kids will be kings. Macbeth invites Banquo, his chief guest, to a feast. Banquo
and Fleance are riding that afternoon, but can be back by supper. Macbeth says
that Malcolm and Donalbain, their cousins whom guilt rests upon, are in England
and Ireland but don't admit to the crime. Macbeth bids them farewell then tells
the servant to fetch the murderers. While waiting, he deliver a soliloquy about
how it is insufficient to be king, unless he is secure. He fears Banquo, with
his wisdom and temper, will try to unseat him, as the prophecies said his
children would be kings. Macbeth fears he has given up his soul and committed
an evil act, just to put Banquo's descendants on the throne. He tells fate to
fight him to the death. Macbeth has been convincing the murderers that Banquo
is a bad person over the course of two earlier meetings. Macbeth tells the
murderers they have a special role as men, and the murderers say they have had
a rough life and would do anything. Macbeth tells them to kill Banquo, their
mutual enemy. He compares is battle with Banquo to fencing, but says he can't
kill him himself. He tells them to do it carefully, and to kill Banquo's son
Fleance as well.
Act III, Scene 2 Lady Macbeth sends
a servant for Macbeth, then says something that reminds of Macbeth's earlier
soliloquy. It is no good to be insecure in what you have, and you might as well
be destroyed. She asks Macbeth why he is keeping to himself and acting worried
when he can't change what he has done. Macbeth says there is still a threat,
and he wishes he were one of the dead who are in peace, than have such constant
worries. Lady Macbeth tells him to act happy. Macbeth says his wife needs to
remember that, too, and that they need to flatter Banquo to cover up for their
dark plans. Lady Macbeth says not to kill Banquo and that they won't live
forever. Macbeth says they can be happy after Banquo and Fleance are dead,
which will happen that night. Macbeth doesn't want to tell his wife of his
plans so that she can be innocent. He says this evil deed will help what was
badly begun.
Act III, Scene 3 A new murderer
appears, claiming to be sent by Macbeth. Banquo approaches and they kill him,
but Fleance escapes. They go to tell Macbeth.
Act III, Scene 4 At the banquet,
they seat themselves according to rank. Lady Macbeth goes to play hostess,
while Macbeth meets with the Murderer. He learns Fleance escaped and says he is
now surrounded by fears instead of being calm and safe. Macbeth is grateful
that at least the snake is gone, thought the worm Fleance will likely return.
He tells the murderer they will meet again. Lady Macbeth tells him to be a good
host, otherwise the guests might as well be eating at home or paying for the
meal. Macbeth then sees a ghost of Banquo sit in his chair, but Ross and Lennox
tell him to sit since they don't see the ghost. Lady Macbeth tells the guests
to wait, that this is just a temporary fit. She tells Macbeth that it is just
his imagining from fear. Macbeth says he is just ill and drinks wine to Banquo.
He tells the ghost to go away, that it is not real. Lady Macbeth tells the
lords to leave after Macbeth continues to act strangely. He wonders then where
Macduff is. He says he will go to see the witches again.
Act III, Scene 5 Hecate is angry
because the witches have been dealing with Macbeth without consulting her. She
says he will be told his destiny at the cave the next day. The various spells
she contrives will lure him into a false sense of security. The witches prepare
for her return.
Act III, Scene 6 Lennox thinks it is
suspicious how Macbeth has been acting and how two people killed their fathers.
Macduff is reported to be in the English court, rallying forces to remove
Macbeth.
Act IV, Scene 1 The witches meet
again and cook up a spell in their cauldron with all sorts of interesting
ingredients. Macbeth approaches them to answer his question, regardless of any
havoc it might wreak. Macbeth opts to hear it from the witches' masters and is
greeted by an apparition that can read his mind and answer his question. The
armed head represents Macbeth, telling him to beware of Macduff. The bloody
child represents Macduff, who we later find out was not of woman born. Macbeth
wonder why, then, he should fear Macduff but just to be safe he will kill him
anyway. The crowned child is Malcolm, with the tree representing Burnham Wood,
and says not to fear until Great Burnham wood moves against him. Macbeth feels
safe since a wood can never move and he knows no people not of woman born. He
thinks the prophecy is a good and insures him a safe life. Then a line of kings
is seen, thought to represent the descendents of Banquo that eventually lead to
King James. The last king holds a mirror to make the line seem endless. So
Macbeth gets his question answered about Macbeth's descendents and the witches
try to cheer him up by dancing. Then they disappear. Lennox tells Macbeth than Lennox
has gone to England. Macbeth comments in his aside about how he was overtaken
by time because he failed to act on his plan. He decides to kill Macduff's
children.
Act IV, Scene 2 Lady Macduff is
wondering why her husband left. She thinks he was mad, looking like a traitor,
loveless and cowardly to leave his family and possessions. Ross tries to
comfort her, telling her he knows what is wrong at the moment. People don't
know they are traitors, when they know fear. Ross leaves and says he will be
back. Lady Macduff has an interesting conversation with her son Sirrah about
what they will do without a father. The messenger tells her to leave, that she
is in danger. But Lady Macduff doesn't know where to go, and she has done no
wrong. As she realizes that doing good is sometimes a bad thing, the murderers
arrive. The murderers kill the Son, but Lady Macduff escapes.
Act IV, Scene 3 Malcolm says they
should find some place to cry, while Macduff says they should defend their
native country the way they would a fallen comrade. Scotland is full of cries.
Malcolm says this could be true, but he fears that Macduff could betray him to
Macbeth for a reward. Malcolm says that even is Macduff isn't treacherous, he
good give in to the royal command the way a cannon recoils after it is fired.
He says bad things can look good while good things still look good. Malcolm
asks why Macduff left his family. Macduff says he is not a bad person, that the
tyrant Macbeth hurts Scotland as legal ruler. Malcolm says he does want to retake
Scotland, but then to check still if Macduff is a spy, he lies, saying how he
is a man of vices who would be an even worse ruler. At first, Macduff says the
vices won't be a problem, that Scotland can deal with them and that Macbeth is
worse. When Malcolm persists, Macduff says that Malcolm truly unfit to rule and
fears for his country. Malcolm then says his fears are allayed, and that he
really is virtuous person. Macduff says this is hard to deal with all of a
sudden. The doctor then talks about how the king is healing people with the
evil. Malcolm does not recognize Ross since he's been in England for a while.
Ross tells how awful things are in Scotland, but assures Macduff his family is
fine. He encourages them to return and save Scotland. Ross then tells Macduff
that his family is actually dead. He encourages revenge. Macduff thinks Macbeth
wouldn't have killed his kid if he had any of his own. They plan to go to
Scotland.
Act V, Scene 1 The gentlewoman who
cares for Lady Macbeth has summoned a doctor, but in two nights the reported
symptoms of waking up and writing something have not occurred. The doctor says
it is a disturbance of nature for her to do such things while appearing to
sleep. The gentlewoman will not repeat anything Lady Macbeth has said for she
is unsure, but then Lady Macbeth appears, carrying a light. Lady Macbeth acts
as if washing her hands, seeing a spot of blood. She questions why her husband
should be scared, but complains still of the blood that was shed. She is
wracked with guilt that troubles her as the two observe. The doctor says she
needs the help of god, not a doctor for her troubles
Act V, Scene 2 The English forces
with the Scottish thanes are near, Menteith reports. The revenge they seek is a
strong enough cause to raise the dead and wounded. Angus says they will met at
Burnham wood, and Caithness asks if Donalbain is coming. Lennox explains he has
a list of everyone, including boys ready to show their manhood in their first
battle, and Donalbain is not on the list. Caithness explains that Macbeth is
strengthening his castle, and is acting crazy, unable to rule. Angus explains
these are the consequences of the murder; people don't willingly follow him and
his title means little. Menteith explains Macbeth is afraid of himself, and
Caithness compares Malcolm to doctor, and by working with him they will cure
their country by shedding their blood.
Act V, Scene 3 Macbeth is wondering
how the prophecy will come true, and tries to remain confident. Macbeth upraids
his servant for seeming afraid, but is told of the English forces. Mcabeth
tells Seyton this revolt will either remove or leave him happy, as right now he
has none of things due a man of old age. Macbeth asks for his armor, planning
to defend himself to the end. Macbeth asks the doctor to cure his wife. The
doctor wishes he weren't there.
Act V, Scene 4 Malcolm hopes to
regain the safety they once had. Menteith is sure it will happen. Malcolm tells
each soldier to cut down a large tree branch and put it in front of him,
thereby camouflaging himself. The scouts will think there are less of them.
Macbeth waits in his castle, his only hope of defense. Though they have hopes
of what they want to accomplish, now is the time for actual blows and battle to
win.
Act V, Scene 5 Macbeth says let them
come to the castle, he can hold them off. If they didn't have his soldiers,
then he could have met them on the field and beat them back. Macbeth has
forgotten what it is like to be afraid, having as much fear as a man can bear.
Macbeth wishes his wife had died later, at a better time. He comments on how
life passes at this little speed, with people dying after a futile life.
Macbeth says the messenger comes to speak, he should give his report quickly.
The messenger, unsure of how to report what he saw, says Birnham wood appeared
to move (remember that the soldiers are carrying boughs to hide themselves as
they move), thus the prophecy is fulfilled. Macbeth starts wishing this were
just all over and prepares for death fighting.
Act V, Scene 6 Macolm and Macduff
split off from Siward, and they throw down their boughs, preparing to fight.
Act V, Scene 7 Macbeth knows he is
stuck fighting, and he wonders who was not born of woman. Macbeth tells Young
Siward who he is, and Macbeth says he should be not just hateful but fearful to
Young Siward's ears. Macbeth says he doesn't fear any not of woman born and
kills Young Siward. Macduff says he must kill Macbeth to avenge his family, and
only Macbeth. By the noise of Macbeth's armor, he locates him. Siward explains
the battle is easy. Malcolm enters the castle.
Act V, Scene 8 Macbeth asks why he
should kill himself when the wounds he might inflict upon himself would look
better upon his living enemies. Macbeth says he has avoided Macduff and does
not want to kill him after killing his family. Macduff says he will speak with
his sword instead of words. Macbeth says the Macduff will not hurt him. Macduff
then reveals that he was ripped from his mother's womb while she died. Macbeth
is angry to discover that the prophecy will come true and only provided him
false hope. Macduff tells him to give up and explains he will be put on a pole
and displayed as a tyrant. Macbeth says he will try despite the prophecy rather
than yield to Malcolm.
Act V, Scene 9 Malcolm wishes no one
had to die, but Siward says it is necessary and the cost wasn't that high for
such a good day. Ross tells Siward that Young Siward, who just became a man in
fighting, died. He tells him not to have sorrow, though. Siward says he died
well then. Macduff hails Malcolm as king holding Macbeth's head.