Plot of Macbeth Flashcards
Act 1.1 summary
Three witches meet and plot against Macbeth, who is currently leading the Scottish army in a battle against the Norwegians.
Act 1.2 summary
Duncan learns that Macbeth and Banquo have won the war.
Macbeth has decapitated the Scottish traitor, Macdonwald.
Another traitor (the Thane of Cawdor) will be executed.
Act 1.3 summary
The witches meet again on a heath, Macbeth and Banquo arrive and meet the witches, who give them both prophecies. Banquo is sceptical, but Macbeth wants to learn more. Macbeth is told that he is now Thane of Cawdor by Ross and Angus.
Act 1.4 summary
Malcolm will be Duncan’s heir.
Act 1.5 summary
Macbeth has sent Lady Macbeth a letter explaining what the witches have said. She calls on the spirits to “fill” her with “direst cruelty”. Macbeth arrives and they plot.
Act 1.6 summary
Lady Macbeth welcomes
Duncan to her castle.
Act 1.7 summary
Macbeth equivocates, doubting whether or not he can commit the murder. Lady Macbeth persuades him by questioning his masculinity.
Act 2.1 summary
Macbeth meets Banquo on the way to Duncan’s chamber.
Alone again, he sees a
mysterious dagger leading him to the murder.
Act 2.2 summary
Macbeth meets Lady Macbeth, who becomes angry as he still has the daggers. She plants them on the drugged guards and they go to bed.
Act 2.3 summary
The Porter answers the gate to Macduff, who discovers the murder. Macbeth kills Duncan’s guards, blaming the murder on them, and Macduff becomes suspicious. Duncan’s sons flee.
Act 2.4 summary
Macduff discusses Macbeth being made King. Macduff doesn’t attend the coronation.
Act 3.1 summary
Banquo recalls the witches’ prophecies. Macbeth invites him to a banquet that night, but secretly ponders the threat Banquo poses to his safety. Macbeth orders Banquo’s murder.
Act 3.2-3.3 summary
Macbeth discusses his troubles with Lady Macbeth: he is unhappy that others may suspect the truth. He refuses to tell Lady Macbeth that he has arranged Banquo’s murder. Outside the castle, the murderers kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.
Act 3.4 summary
Macbeth hosts a feast. He discovers Banquo is killed, but Fleance lives. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and appears to have a fit. Lady Macbeth tells the guests her husband is unwell, before losing her determination to help Macbeth.
Act 3.5 summary
Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, promises to give Macbeth a false sense of security. Lords discuss Banquo’s death and their suspicions of Macbeth. Macduff goes to England for help.
Act 4.1 summary
Macbeth visits the witches and is given new prophecies :
O armed head: to beware to Macduff
O bloody child : no man born of woman can harm Macbeth
O crowned child with tree: Macbeth is safe until Birnam Wood moves
O line of kings : Banquo’s heirs
Act 4.2 summary
Macbeth sends murderers to Macduff’s castle to kill his family.
Macduff has already gone to England to raise an army.
Act 4.3 summary
Macduff discovers his family have been killed. He rounds up the English armies ready to take revenge
Act 5.1 summary
Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, acting out washing her hands.
Act 5.2-5.4 summary
Macbeth boasts that he has nothing to fear. Yet Macduff and Malcolm’s army approaches and Macbeth puts on his armour.
The army use branches off trees as camouflage
Act 5.5-5.7 summary
Macbeth hears that Lady Macbeth is dead - we assume suicide. Macbeth is terrified to learn that the wood is starting to move. The battle commences outside the castle. Macbeth strikes everyone he can see, suddenly afraid of nothing.
Act 5.8 summary
Macbeth fights Macduff, only to find that Macduff was not
“born of woman” but through caesarean section. Macduff triumphs, cutting off Macbeth’s head. Malcolm is made king.
