Plot Summary

Question 1

Act 1, Scene 1

Answer 1

Three witches meet on a heath and plan to confront Macbeth after a battle.

Question 2

Act 1, Scene 2

Answer 2

King Duncan hears of Macbeth’s bravery in battle and decides to reward him with the title of Thane of Cawdor.

Question 3

Act 1, Scene 3

Answer 3

The witches meet Macbeth and Banque, prophesying that Macbeth will be king and Banquo’s descendants will also be kings.

Question 4

Act 1, Scene 4

Answer 4

King Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, will be his heir. Macbeth begins to contemplate murdering Duncan.

Question 5

Act 1, Scene 5

Answer 5

Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter about the witches prophecies and resolves to push her husband into committing murder.

Question 6

Act 1, Scene 6

Answer 6

King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and is warmly welcomed by Lady Macbeth.

Question 7

Act 1, Scene 7

Answer 7

Macbeth has doubts about killing Duncan but Lady Macbeth persuades him to go through with the plan.

Question 8

Act 2, Scene 1

Answer 8

Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger leading him to Duncan’s chamber and resolves to commit the murder.

Question 9

Act 2, Scene 2

Answer 9

Macbeth murders Duncan and is filled with guilt. Lady Macbeth takes charge, framing the guards for the murder.

Question 10

Act 2, Scene 3

Answer 10

Macduff discovers Duncan’s body. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee the country, fearing for their lives.

Question 11

Act 2, Scene 4

Answer 11

Ross and an old man discuss the strange events of the night and the news of Duncan’s death. Macbeth is declared king.

Question 12

Act 3, Scene 1

Answer 12

Banquo suspects Macbeth but keeps quiet. Macbeth, now king, fears Banquo and arranges to have him and his son, Fleance, killed.

Question 13

Act 3, Scene 2

Answer 13

Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth of his fears and plans. She tries to comfort him but he is increasingly paranoid.

Question 14

Act 3, Scene 3

Answer 14

Banquo is murdered by hired assassins, but Fleance escapes.

Question 15

Act 3, Scene 4

Answer 15

At a banquet, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost and reacts with horror, unsettling his guests.
Lady Macbeth tries to cover for him.

Question 16

Act 3, Scene 5

Answer 16

The witches prepare for another meeting with Macbeth. Hecate, their leader, scolds them for meddling without her.

Question 17

Act 3, Scene 6

Answer 17

Lennox and another lord discuss the tyrannical rule of Macbeth and hope for help from England.

Question 18

Act 4, Scene 1

Answer 18

Macbeth visits the witches again. They show him three apparitions that warn him to beware Macduff, assure him no man born of a woman will harm him, and tell him he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill.

Question 19

Act 4, Scene 2

Answer 19

Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s family. Lady Macduff and her children are killed.

Question 20

Act 4, Scene 3

Answer 20

In England. Macduff learns of his family’s slaughter and vows revenge. Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty and they prepare to return to Scotland with an army.

Question 21

Act 5, Scene 1

Answer 21

Lady Macbeth, tormented by guilt, sleepwalks and tries to wash the imaginary blood from her hands.

Question 22

Act 5, Scene 2

Answer 22

Scottish nobles discuss Macbeth’s increasingly erratic behaviour and prepare to join
Malcolm’s army.

Question 23

Act 5, Scene 3

Answer 23

Macbeth is confident in the witches prophecies but becomes alarmed by reports of the approaching army.

Question 24

Act 5, Scene 4

Answer 24

Malcolm’s army cuts down branches from Birnam Wood to use as camouflage, making it look like the forest is moving.

Question 25

Act 5, Scene 5

Answer 25

Macbeth learns of Lady Macbeth’s death and prepares for battle. He realizes the witches’ prophecies are coming true as Birnam Wood seems to move towards Dunsinane.

Question 26

Act 5, Scene 6

Answer 26

Malcolm’s forces attack Macbeth’s castle.

Question 27

Act 5, Scene 7

Answer 27

Macbeth fights bravely but is confronted by Macduff, who reveals he was born by Caesarean section (not “of woman born”).

Question 28

Act 5, Scene 8

Answer 28

Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcolm is declared king, restoring order to Scotland.