MACBETH BY SHAKESPEARE // SUMMARY - CHARACTERS, SETTING & THEME

Summary

William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' published in 1606, is a tragic tale of ambition and power's corrupting influence. The play opens with Macbeth and Banquo encountering three witches who prophecy Macbeth's rise to power, including becoming King of Scotland. As the prophecy begins to unfold, Lady Macbeth, driven by a desire for revenge against the current king, persuades her husband to murder King Duncan. The couple's guilt and paranoia intensify, leading to further violence and Macbeth's descent into madness. Despite his growing fears, Macbeth is told by the witches that he cannot be dethroned until Birnam Wood moves to his castle. Misinterpreting this, Macbeth is ultimately defeated by Macduff, who was not born of woman, fulfilling the prophecy that the descendants of Banquo would rule Scotland. The play concludes with Malcolm's restoration to the throne, and the tragic fate of Macbeth and his wife serves as a stark warning against the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.

Takeaways

• 📜 Shakespeare published 'Macbeth' in 1606, a play that explores the destructive nature of power and ambition.
• 🔮 The play begins with Macbeth and Banquo encountering three witches who prophesy Macbeth's rise to power and Banquo's progeny becoming kings.
• 🏰 Macbeth's initial prophecy comes true when he is named the Thane of Cawdor, leading him to contemplate the second part of the prophecy.
• 💌 Lady Macbeth, upon hearing of the prophecy, manipulates her husband into seizing the crown by murdering King Duncan.
• 🗡 Macbeth's guilt and ambition lead to the murder of King Duncan, setting off a chain of tragic events.
• 👥 The guilt of their actions begins to unravel Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, with the latter descending into madness.
• 👻 Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth, symbolizing his guilt and the specter of his crimes.
• ⚔️ Macbeth, fearing the witches' prophecy about Banquo's lineage, orders the murder of Banquo and his son, but Fleance escapes.
• 👑 Macbeth becomes king but remains paranoid and ruthless, attempting to eliminate any threats to his rule.
• 🌳 The prophecy about the wood of Birnam moving towards the castle is fulfilled when the English army uses branches for camouflage.
• ⚰️ Macbeth meets his end at the hands of Macduff, and the play concludes with Malcolm being restored to the throne, while the descendants of Banquo eventually become kings.

Q & A

In what year was 'Macbeth' published?

Macbeth was published in 1606.

Who are the three characters that Macbeth and Banquo meet on their journey to meet King Duncan?

Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches on their journey to meet King Duncan.

What prophecy did the witches make about Macbeth?

The witches prophesied that Macbeth would become the chieftain of Glamis, Cawdor, and a future King of Scotland.

How does the prophecy about Macbeth begin to come true?

The prophecy begins to come true when Macbeth is promoted to be the chieftain of Cawdor after the former chieftain is revealed to be a traitor.

What does Banquo warn Macbeth about regarding the prophecy?

Banquo warns Macbeth that the prophecy could be a trick to tempt them into criminal behavior.

Why does Lady Macbeth want to kill King Duncan?

Lady Macbeth wants to kill King Duncan because he is the son of the king who murdered her grandfather, and her brother was also killed in the same power struggle.

How does Lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth into killing King Duncan?

Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth by questioning his courage and using cunning words to egg him on to commit the murder.

What happens to King Duncan's sons after his murder?

King Duncan's sons flee, one goes to Ireland and the other goes to England, and in their absence, Macbeth is crowned king at the city of Scone.

What is the significance of Banquo's ghost appearing at the banquet?

The appearance of Banquo's ghost at the banquet signifies Macbeth's guilt and the haunting nature of his actions. It also causes Macbeth to behave erratically, which further alienates him from his guests.

What does Macbeth do to prevent Banquo's prophecy from coming true?

Macbeth hires two assassins to murder Banquo and his son, but the son, Fleance, escapes.

What is the final prophecy that the witches give Macbeth?

The final prophecy is that Macbeth will not be dethroned until the wood of Birnam moves to the castle's hill, and that Banquo's descendants will rule Scotland.

How does Macbeth's reign end?

Macbeth's reign ends when he is killed by Macduff, who brings Macbeth's head to Malcolm, allowing Malcolm to be restored to the throne of Scotland.