Macbeth by William Shakespeare | Plot Summary

Course Hero

8 Jun 201803:51

Summary

TLDRThe script of 'Macbeth' unfolds with three witches foretelling Macbeth's rise to power as the Thane of Cawdor and eventual kingship. Driven by ambition, Macbeth and his wife orchestrate King Duncan's murder, leading to Macbeth's coronation. Haunted by guilt and further prophecies, Macbeth's tyranny escalates, culminating in his downfall. As Macduff and Malcolm rally forces against him, Macbeth's belief in the witches' words ultimately leads to his demise, with Macduff avenging his family and Malcolm ascending to the throne.

Takeaways

🧙‍♂️ The play 'Macbeth' opens with three witches setting the stage for Macbeth's encounter.
🏰 King Duncan of Scotland learns of Macbeth's victory against the rebellion and decides to reward him with the title of Thane of Cawdor.
🔮 Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches who predict Macbeth's rise to power and Banquo's descendants becoming kings.
👑 After the prophecy, Macbeth is granted the title of Thane of Cawdor, fueling his ambition to become king.
🗡 Lady Macbeth plots the murder of King Duncan to secure the throne for Macbeth, showing her manipulative nature.
💤 Macbeth kills King Duncan in his sleep, leading to a series of tragic events and the beginning of Macbeth's reign.
🕊️ Banquo's suspicion of Macbeth's intentions grows, prompting Macbeth to hire murderers to eliminate Banquo, though his son Fleance escapes.
👻 Macbeth's guilt manifests as he sees Banquo's ghost at a banquet, revealing his deteriorating mental state.
🌳 The witches provide three new predictions, including that Macbeth will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle.
⚔️ Macduff seeks out Malcolm to rally an army against Macbeth, leading to a decisive battle.
🏰 The Scottish and English forces use camouflage to approach Dunsinane Hill, fulfilling one of the witches' prophecies.
🤱 Macduff was born via caesarean section, which contradicts the witches' prophecy, leading to Macbeth's downfall.
🏆 Malcolm is crowned the rightful king of Scotland, signifying the end of Macbeth's tyrannical rule.

Q & A

What significant event begins the play 'Macbeth'?
-The play 'Macbeth' begins with the appearance of three witches who plan to meet Macbeth.
What news does King Duncan of Scotland receive about Macbeth?
-King Duncan receives news that Macbeth has defeated the leaders of a rebellion against the king, MacDonald and the Thane of Cawdor.
What title does King Duncan grant Macbeth after the defeat of the rebellion leaders?
-King Duncan decides to name Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor.
What prediction do the witches make for Macbeth when they meet him?
-The witches predict that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King.
How does Macbeth's wife, Lady Macbeth, react to the witches' predictions?
-Lady Macbeth begins to plot the murder of King Duncan so that Macbeth can take the throne.
What action does Macbeth take after King Duncan visits the castle?
-Macbeth, initially hesitant, goes through with the plan to murder King Duncan in his sleep.
What does Lady Macbeth do after Macbeth kills Duncan?
-Lady Macbeth goes back to plant the weapons and frame the guards for Duncan's murder.
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country after Duncan's death?
-Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country fearing for their own safety after their father, King Duncan, is murdered.
What does Macbeth do when he feels threatened by Banquo?
-Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, as he sees Banquo as a threat.
What significant event occurs at the banquet the same night Banquo is killed?
-At the banquet, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost and appears insane to the court.
What do the witches predict about Macbeth's future when he meets them again?
-The witches predict that no man born of a woman can harm Macbeth and that he will be secure until Birnam Wood comes to Macbeth's castle at Dunsinane Hill.
How does Macbeth's reign as king begin to falter?
-Macbeth's rule begins to wane as he becomes increasingly paranoid and violent, leading to a united front against him by the Scottish Lords and Thanes.
What happens to Lady Macbeth as a result of her actions?
-Lady Macbeth goes mad due to her repressed guilt and is under a doctor's care because of hallucinations.
How does Macbeth's life end?
-Macbeth is killed by Macduff in the final battle, after learning that Macduff was not born of a woman, thus fulfilling the witches' prophecy.
Who becomes the king of Scotland after Macbeth's death?
-Malcolm takes his place as the rightful king of Scotland after Macbeth's death.

Outlines

00:00

🔮 Introduction of the Witches and Macbeth's Early Triumphs

The script opens with the appearance of three witches who set the stage for Macbeth's encounter. King Duncan of Scotland learns of Macbeth's victory over the rebellion, led by MacDonald and the Thane of Cawdor. As a reward, Macbeth is named the new Thane of Cawdor. On their way back from battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, who predict Macbeth's rise to kingship and Banquo's descendants becoming kings. These prophecies plant the seeds of ambition and treachery in Macbeth.

👑 The Treacherous Ascent to the Throne

Following the witches' predictions, Macbeth's ambition is ignited. Lady Macbeth, upon hearing of the prophecy, hatches a plot to murder King Duncan, ensuring Macbeth's ascension to the throne. As Duncan visits their castle, Macbeth, initially hesitant, commits regicide with Lady Macbeth's manipulation. They frame the king's guards, leading to their execution. Macbeth is crowned king, but the guilt and fear of the prophecy begin to take their toll.

🗡 The Downward Spiral of Power and Betrayal

Macbeth's paranoia grows as he recalls the witches' further predictions, leading him to order the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance, to secure his reign. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes, leaving a potential threat to Macbeth's rule. Macbeth's behavior at a banquet, haunted by Banquo's ghost, reveals his instability to the court. The witches offer more cryptic prophecies, further fueling Macbeth's insecurity and leading to more acts of violence.

🏰 The Gathering Storm of Rebellion

Macbeth's rule becomes increasingly tyrannical, causing unrest among the Scottish nobility. Macduff, seeking justice for his family's murder, allies with Malcolm, Duncan's eldest son, to gather an army against Macbeth. As Macbeth's grip on power weakens, Lady Macbeth succumbs to guilt and madness, further isolating Macbeth.

⚔️ The Final Battle and Macbeth's Downfall

The climax of the script sees the united forces of Scottish and English armies, led by Malcolm and Macduff, approaching Macbeth's stronghold at Dunsinane Hill. They use branches as camouflage, fulfilling the witches' prophecy about Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane. Macbeth, learning of his wife's death and the prophecy's fulfillment, is thrown into despair. In the final confrontation, Macduff reveals his birth by caesarean section, negating the witches' assurance of Macbeth's invulnerability. Macduff slays Macbeth, ending his tyrannical reign.

🏆 The Restoration of Order and Malcolm's Ascension

With Macbeth's death, the resolution brings a return to order and justice. Malcolm, the rightful heir, ascends to the Scottish throne, signifying the end of chaos and the beginning of a new era of peace and stability in Scotland.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Macbeth

Macbeth is the central character and protagonist of the play, who is a Scottish general and nobleman. His ambition and desire for power, spurred by the witches' prophecies, lead him down a path of murder and tyranny. In the script, Macbeth's name is first mentioned as the one who defeated the leaders of a rebellion, and his journey to becoming king and the subsequent consequences form the core of the narrative.

💡Witches

The witches are supernatural beings who set the stage for the main events of the play by prophesying Macbeth's rise to power. Their predictions are cryptic and play a significant role in shaping Macbeth's actions and the play's tragic outcome. In the script, they are introduced as planning to meet Macbeth and are the first to greet him as Thane of Cawdor, foreshadowing his future.

💡King Duncan

King Duncan is the ruler of Scotland at the beginning of the play and is portrayed as a benevolent and well-respected monarch. His murder by Macbeth, orchestrated by Lady Macbeth, is a pivotal event that sets off the tragic chain of events in the play. In the script, Duncan's decision to name Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor and his subsequent visit to Macbeth's castle, where he is murdered, are key moments.

💡Thane of Cawdor

The title 'Thane of Cawdor' is a noble rank in Scotland, which Macbeth is prophesied to attain by the witches and later granted by King Duncan. This title serves as the first of the witches' predictions to come true, influencing Macbeth's belief in their power and his subsequent ambition. In the script, the title is mentioned when the witches greet Macbeth and is later confirmed by King Duncan.

💡Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's wife and a key character who influences his decisions, particularly in the murder of King Duncan. She is portrayed as ambitious and ruthless, pushing Macbeth to seize power and later suffering from guilt and madness. In the script, her role in plotting Duncan's murder and her subsequent psychological deterioration are central to the play's themes of ambition and its consequences.

💡Banquo

Banquo is a friend and fellow soldier of Macbeth who, along with Macbeth, encounters the witches. The witches predict that Banquo's descendants will become kings, a prophecy that contributes to Macbeth's paranoia and leads him to order Banquo's murder. In the script, Banquo's presence and the prophecy about his lineage are significant as they affect Macbeth's actions and fears.

💡Murder Plot

The murder plot refers to the plan orchestrated by Lady Macbeth to kill King Duncan, allowing Macbeth to ascend to the throne. This act is a turning point in the play, marking the beginning of Macbeth's descent into tyranny and the tragic events that follow. In the script, the murder plot is detailed through Lady Macbeth's manipulation of Macbeth and the subsequent execution of the plan.

💡Supernatural

The supernatural elements in the play, primarily represented by the witches and their prophecies, play a crucial role in influencing the characters' actions and the unfolding of the plot. These elements create a sense of fate and foreboding, contributing to the play's atmosphere and the characters' psychological states. In the script, the witches' appearances and prophecies are key supernatural elements that drive the narrative.

💡Madness

Madness is a recurring theme in the play, particularly associated with Lady Macbeth, who suffers from hallucinations and psychological torment due to her guilt in the murder of King Duncan. The theme of madness reflects the psychological impact of the characters' actions and the consequences of their pursuit of power. In the script, Lady Macbeth's descent into madness is a significant event that illustrates the play's exploration of guilt and retribution.

💡Macduff

Macduff is a Scottish nobleman and a key character who opposes Macbeth's tyranny. He is the one who ultimately kills Macbeth, avenging the murder of King Duncan and restoring order to Scotland. Macduff's character represents justice and loyalty, and his actions are central to the resolution of the play. In the script, Macduff's journey from Scotland to England to seek help and his return with an army to confront Macbeth are pivotal moments.

💡Prophecy

The prophecy is a central element in the play, as it sets Macbeth on his tragic path and influences his decisions throughout. The witches' predictions about Macbeth becoming king and being safe until certain conditions are met are both a driving force and a source of Macbeth's eventual downfall. In the script, the prophecy is first introduced when the witches greet Macbeth and is a recurring theme as Macbeth seeks to understand and avoid its fulfillment.

Highlights

Macbeth begins with the appearance of three witches who set the stage for the play's events.

King Duncan receives news of Macbeth's victory against the rebellion, leading to his new title as Thane of Cawdor.

The witches' prophecy introduces the idea of Macbeth becoming king, influencing his future actions.

Macbeth's encounter with the witches and their predictions foretells his rise and Banquo's descendants becoming kings.

Lady Macbeth plays a pivotal role in plotting King Duncan's murder to secure the throne for Macbeth.

Macbeth's initial hesitation and eventual decision to kill King Duncan marks a turning point in the play.

The framing of Duncan's guards with the blood-stained daggers is a key moment in Macbeth's rise to power.

Macbeth's feigned outrage and subsequent killing of the guards demonstrate his manipulation and ruthlessness.

The fleeing of Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, allows Macbeth to ascend to the throne unopposed.

Banquo's suspicion of Macbeth and his subsequent murder attempt by hired killers add tension to the narrative.

The appearance of Banquo's ghost at the banquet reveals Macbeth's guilt and descent into madness.

The witches' three new predictions for Macbeth introduce elements of fear and foreshadow his downfall.

Macbeth's belief in the witches' prophecies leads him to make strategic errors in his rule.

Lady Macbeth's madness and eventual death reflect the psychological toll of their actions.

Macduff's alliance with Malcolm and the rallying of forces against Macbeth builds towards the climactic battle.

The use of tree branches as camouflage by Malcolm's army at Birnam Wood fulfills one of the witches' prophecies.

Macbeth's reliance on the prophecy that no man born of woman can harm him leads to his overconfidence.

The revelation that Macduff was born by caesarean section undermines Macbeth's belief in the witches' predictions.

Macbeth's death at the hands of Macduff and the restoration of Malcolm as king bring the play to a close.