What happened each act

Question 1

What happens in Act 1

Answer 1

• Macbeth and Banquo are generals in the army of King Duncan
• While returning from a battle they run into some witches
• They tell Macbeth he will be the thane of Cawdor which is a high ranking then later king of Scotland
• Banquo gets told he will not be King but his children will
• King Duncan makes Macbeth thane from his success and his wife Lady Macbeth finds out through a letter and tells him, she would do anything to make him king

Question 2

What happens in Act 2

Answer 2

• Macbeth returns to his castle, followed by King Duncan
• Macbeth and his wife plot together to kill Duncan
• They do this at night while everyone is asleep
• Lady Macbeth gives guards drugged wine so Macbeth can enter and kill Duncan
• He regrets it immediately and has lots of guilt
• Lady Macbeth puts the daggers near the guards to frame them. When he discovers the murder out of fake rage kills the guards. The king’s sons flee fearing for their own lives as they could be next

Question 3

What happens in Act 3

Answer 3

• Macbeth becomes king of Scotland but is hit by his feelings of guilt and insecurity
• He remembers the prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne
• He arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to be killed. Banquo is murdered in the darkness but his son escapes
• At his state banquet that night Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and worries everyone else with his mad response
• Lady Macbeth dismisses the court and unsuccessfully tries to calm down her husband

Question 4

What happens in Act 4

Answer 4

• Macbeth goes to seek witches who say he will be safe until Birnam Wood marches into battle against him. He also shouldn’t fear born from a women
• He sounds safe after they also prophesize the Scottish future king will still be Banquo’s descendants
• He goes on a murderous rampage slaughtering many people. Including Macduff’s family
• Macduff furious goes to find Malcolm (Duncan’s son who fled) at the court of English King
• Malcolm is young and unsure of himself, but Macduff is pained with grief and persuades him to lead an army against Macbeth

Question 5

What happens in Act 5

Answer 5

• Macbeth is feeling safe in his castle at Dunsinane until he is told Birnam wood is moving towards him
• Malcolm’s army is carrying branches from the forest as camouflage
• Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth is unwell and sleepwalking and tells her secrets to her doctor. She commits suicide
• As the final battle commences Macbeth mourns his loss and is challenged to a duel by Macduff
• He learns Macduff is born through a C-section and is doomed
• Macduff is victorious and brings the head of Macbeth to Malcolm. They declare peace and Malcolm goes to Scone Castle to be crowned king