Macbeth Scene Summaries

Act 1, Scene 1

The witches start on stage and make a prophecy about Macbeth.

Act 1, Scene 2

A wounded captain tells King Duncan how valiant Macbeth was in battle and Macbeth gets promoted to a Lord.

Act 1, Scene 3

Macbeth and Banquo come across the witches, who tell Macbeth he will be the thane of glamis, thane of cawdor, and eventually king and Banquo will be the father of Kings. Ross and Angus tell Macbeth he is now the thane of Cawdor, which confirms part 2 of the prophecy

Act 1, Scene 4

Macbeth goes to the palace and King Duncan praises him on his valiant bravery, and Macbeth contemplates having to kill Duncan and his sons to become king.

Act 1, Scene 5

Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth explaining his new position and the witch’s prophecy. Lady Macbeth considers Macbeth too weak to do what she believes must be done (killing of King Duncan).

Act 1, Scene 6

Duncan comes to Macbeth’s castle and is welcomed by Lady Macbeth

Act 1, Scene 7

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth speak to each other away from the rest of the group. Macbeth says he won’t kill Duncan and Lady Macbeth tries to convince him otherwise, taunting his lack of masculinity.

Act 2, Scene 1

Macbeth tries to get Banquo onto his side and Banquo agrees as long as he doesn’t do anything illegal, then Macbeth sees a floating dagger and speaks about his guilt.

Act 2, Scene 2

Macbeth sees Lady Macbeth and is holding the bloody dagger, and Lady Macbeth belittles him for having done this, as they are trying to blame the servants.

Act 2, Scene 3

First the Porter speaks with Macduff and Lennox, then Macduff goes to see Duncan, comes back and then raises the alarm that Duncan is dead. Macbeth acts very poetically, which is almost suspicious.

Act 2, Scene 4

Ross speaks with the Old Man in the bridge scene, and he discusses Malcolm and Donalbain’s suspicious behavior with Macduff (them leaving).

Act 3, Scene 1

Macbeth instructs the murderers to go and kill Banquo and Fleance.

Act 3, scene 2

Lady Macbeth reassures Macbeth and tells him not to feel guilty, and Macbeth refuses to tell Lady Macbeth about Banquo’s murder.

Act 3, scene 3

Murderers try to kill Banquo and Fleance but Fleance escapes

Act 3, Scene 4

Murderers tell Macbeth that they killed Banquo but Fleance (Banquo’s son) got away, then Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the Banquet, and Lady Macbeth has to cover up his madness from the guests

Act 3, Scene 5

Hecate (queen of the witches) was angry that the witches were messing with Macbeth without her and that they did it wrong.

Act 3, Scene 6

Lennox and the lord speak about how Scotland is going downhill and Macbeth is a bad king.

Act 4, Scene 1

Macbeth comes and demands to know more of his prophecy from the witches, who show him the 3 apparitions - helmeted head (beware the thane of fife), bloody child (won’t be harmed by a man born of woman), crowned child with a branch (forest moves), and a line of 8 kings following Banquo’s ghost (Banquo’s line with be kings)

Act 4, Scene 2

Lady Macduff complains about Macduff leaving her at home while he goes to England to Ross, then has a conversation with her son which reflects their close bond. Then a messenger enters, who warns Lady Macduff and her son that they should leave and that they are in danger, but they don’t go in time, and the Murderers kill her and her son

Act 4, Scene 3

Malcom tests Macduff’s loyalty by saying that he will be a very bad king, and testing if Macduff truly wants a good king and leaves him, or stays with blind loyalty, possibly submitting Scotland to a worse leader. Macduff chooses the former, and then Malcom reveals that it was just his plan.

Ross arrives and tells Macduff that his entire family was killed. He has a moment to grieve and take the news in a very humane way, and then Malcom redirects his attention to revenge, which he swears he’ll get from Macbeth

Act 5, Scene 1

Lady Macbeth is observed by a doctor as she is sleepwalking. The attendant tries to protect her because what she says could be incriminating. The attendant and doctor are watching Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks and speaks about all the traumatic experiences she has recently had.

Act 5, Scene 2

Many of the Scottish Lords and some soldiers gather and they speak about Macbeth's situation and how he is an evil tyrant, which contrasts the first scene where everyone loved Macbeth

Act 5, Scene 3