Summary Flashcards
What happens in Act 1?
The play begins with the three Weird Sisters on a heath, discussing when they plan to meet Macbeth. A bleeding sergeant informs King Duncan of Macbeth’s bravery in the battle of Scotland against Norway. After hearing the betrayal of the Thane of Cawdor, Duncan has him executed and tells Ross to give his former title to Macbeth. Close to the battlefield, the three Weird Sisters meet Macbeth and Banquo, telling Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and later King. They tell Banquo that his son will become King. The three weird sisters then vanish into the air. Shortly after, Macbeth is greeted by the King’s men and handed the title of the Thane of Cawdor. He is shocked and sends a letter to his wife. After receiving the news, Lady Macbeth plots how to kill Duncan. Macbeth isn’t sure by the act, but he agrees to go ahead with the murder
What happens in Act 2?
Macbeth imagines that he see’s a dagger before him, pointing the way to Duncan’s chamber. He kills the King, but fails to leave the daggers behind. Lady Macbeth takes charge, taking the daggers back and smearing the guard with blood. The following morning, Macduff finds that King Duncan is dead. He wakes the whole castle, screaming that there has been a murder. He informs Malcom and Donalbain. Macbeth makes a show, claiming the guards are guilty - he kills them. The King’s sons flee to England, worried they will be blamed for the murder. It is not long before Macbeth starts having guilty thoughts
What happens in Act 3?
Macbeth begins to have doubts about Banquo, becoming paranoid that he will reveal Macbeth as the King’s murderer. He shares his worries with his wife, who decides the best ploy is to praise Banquo at the feast. Macbeth is certain Banquo is going to reveal his secret, so he hires 3 murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. This is a turning point in his relationship with his wife, as he does not tell her about his plan. Banquo is murdered, but Fleance escapes. When Macbeth hears the news, he becomes sick with worry; his wife chides him at a feast, telling him to get a grip. The pair toast Banquo, but as they do, his ghost appears at the table. Macbeth is the only one who can see the ghost; his wife, realising he’s giving the game away pretends he’s having a fit, a condition which he had suffered from youth. Macduff fails to attend the feast, so it’s clear that he is suspicious of Macbeth. He went to England to rally support
What happens in Act 4?
The three Weird Sisters are casting a spell in a bubbling cauldron. Macbeth enters the scene and demands to know the truth about the prophecies. The Sisters make several apparitions. The first: tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Second: tells him he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman. Third: tells him he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane. Lennox informs Macbeth that Macduff fled to England; in order to quash the threat, Macbeth has his wife and children murdered. Macduff tries to rally support of Malcom who is instantly suspicious of Macduff’s motives. To test his trustworthiness, Malcom tells him a series of lies about himself, making him sound like a terrible King. Macduff agrees, and thereby proves his loyalty to Scotland. They become allies, then Macduff learns that his entire family were killed. He vows to take revenge
What happens in Act 5?
Lady Macbeth starts sleepwalking and trying to rub stains from her hands, showing her guilt. The doctor is unable to help her. Malcom and a group of Scottish Lords are outside Macbeth’s castle, waiting for English troops to arrive. In an attempt to disguise numbers, they cut down branches and march towards the castle with a branch in front of them. Lady Macbeth kills herself, but Macbeth seems numb to the news, focusing more on the attack. He believes in the prophecy and still feels safe in the knowledge he can’t be killed by a man born of woman. Macbeth finally encounters Macduff, who tells him he was not born of woman. They leave the stage fighting and Macduff leaves the castle with Macbeth’s severed head. This marks the downfall of Macbeth and s the first step in restoring natural order
