Macbeth Plot

Question 1

Act 1 scene 1

Answer 1

A storm. A prologue of evil: 3 witches plan to meet Macbeth

Question 2

Act 1 scene 2

Answer 2

King Duncan’s is told of the success of the battle and the bravery shown by Banquo and Macbeth. He decides to reward Macbeth with the title “thane of Cawdor”

Question 3

Act 1 scene 3

Answer 3

Witches speak strange prophecies to Macbeth and Banquo- and Ross brings the new title to Macbeth

Question 4

Act 1 scene 4

Answer 4

Duncan announces that his son, Malcom, will be the next king of Scotland- and Macbeth begins to worry

Question 5

Act 1 scene 5

Answer 5

Lady Macbeth reads her husband’s letter telling what has happened; she welcomes him home, and then prepares to receive the king

Question 6

Act 1 scene 6

Answer 6

King Duncan and his followers approach Macbeth’s castle and are welcomed by Lady Macbeth.

Question 7

Act 1 scene 7

Answer 7

Macbeth leaves the state dinner, suddenly worried by what he is planning to do- murder Duncan. But Lady Macbeth stirs up his spirits again.

Question 8

Act 2 scene 1

Answer 8

Banquo and his son, Fleance, are going to bed when they encounter Macbeth, who is preparing himself for his grim task.

Question 9

Act 2 scene 2

Answer 9

Macbeth had murdered Duncan. Lady Macbeth takes the bloody daggers away from her husband, who is already beginning to regret what he has done.

Question 10

Act 2 scene 3

Answer 10

All is discovered. The porter is roused from his drunken sleep by Macduff and Lennox who go to call upon the king but find he has been murdered. Macbeth panics and kills Duncan’s attendants. Duncan’s sons are afraid for their own safety and slip away secretly.

Question 11

Act 2 scene 4

Answer 11

Ross and an old man discuss the unnatural events that occurred on the night of Duncan’s murder. They learn from Macduff that the kings two sons have fled, and that Macbeth has been chosen to be the next king.

Question 12

Act 3 scene 1

Answer 12

Banquo is suspicious- and Macbeth arranges to have him and his son, Fleance, murdered by two hired assassins.

Question 13

Act 3 scene 2

Answer 13

Lady Macbeth is uneasy. Macbeth assures her that everything is under control, but he refuses to tell her what he is planning.

Question 14

Act 3 scene 3

Answer 14

Banquo is murdered- but Fleance escapes.

Question 15

Act 3 scene 4

Answer 15

Macbeth and his wife welcome guests to another state banquet. The ghost of Banquo appears but only Macbeth can see it, and his strange behaviour startles Lady Macbeth and their guests.

Question 16

Act 3 scene 5

Answer 16

The witches and their queen, Hecate, prepare the audience for the next meeting with Macbeth.

Question 17

Act 3 scene 6

Answer 17

Lennox and an unarmed Lord discuss the state of affairs: Malcom is in England, Macduff has gone to join him, and the English king is raising an army to fight against Macbeth.

Question 18

Act 4 scene 1

Answer 18

Witches assemble to meet Macbeth, and promise to answer his questions. Their magic Apparitions comfort him at first- and then give cause for alarm.

Question 19

Act 4 scene 2

Answer 19

Lady Macduff questions Ross about her husband’s flight, and then tries to explain the situation to her little son. A messenger warns her to flee from the palace, but it’s too late and the murderers rush into the room.

Question 20

Act 4 scene 3

Answer 20

Macduff has joined Malcom at the court of Edward the Confessor, and the two men, at first suspicious of each other, test their loyalties. Plans are in hand for an invasion of Scotland by the English king- then Macduff hears of the murder of his wife and children.

Question 21

Act 5 scene 1

Answer 21

Lady Macbeth suffers from a guilty conscience. She walks in her sleep, and dreams that she and her husband are murdering king Duncan.

Question 22

Act 5 scene 2

Answer 22

A section of the invading army marches towards Dunsinane, and their leaders discuss the enemy, Macbeth, who is showing signs of panic.

Question 23

Act 5 scene 3

Answer 23

When he is told of the approaching armies, Macbeth tries to comfort himself by recalling the witches’ prophecies. He discusses his wife’s condition with the doctor, then goes off into battle.

Question 24

Act 5 scene 4

Answer 24

Malcolm’s soldiers camouflage themselves with branches from the trees of Birnam Wood to mask their approach.

Question 25

Act 5 scene 5

Answer 25

The battle is at it’s height when Seyton brings new to Macbeth that his wife has just died. A messenger tells Macbeth that Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane.

Question 26

Act 5 scene 6

Answer 26

Malcolm’s army reaches Macbeth’s castle: the battle starts.

Question 27

Act 5 scene 7

Answer 27

Macbeth encounters Young Siward and kills him. Macduff comes in search of Macbeth, they fight, and Macbeth is killed. Malcom is proclaimed king.