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Act 1 Scene 1: Summary
The 3 Witches speak to each other in a desert about when they will meet again (when the battle is over during a sunset).
This is when they will talk to Macbeth
Famous Line: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
Act 1 Scene 2: Summary
The battle is over and a wounded soldier tells Duncan Macbeth defeated Macdonwald (Scottish Rebel), Sweno (King of Norway), and the Thane of Cawdor. Since the Thane of Cawdor was a traitor, Duncan has ordered an execution on him (fulfilling Macbeth’s prophecies he is soon to encounter).
Act 1 Scene 3: Summary
The scene opens with the 3 witches talking about a sailor’s wife not giving her a chestnut, so they cursed them to be at sea and constantly fornicating for years. Macbeth arrives with Banquo and the 3 witches tell Macbeth his prophecies (Thane of Cawdor and Glamis, and King).Banquo is interested as well and asks for his prophecies (Paradoxes: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater, Not so happy, yet much happie , Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none). Macbeth is notified about his new title, and starts having thoughts of killing Duncan for King status.
Act 1 Scene 4: Summary
Macbeth and Banquo has gone to visit Duncan in Forres, and Duncan commends them for their bravery and loyalty, and tells them their is no amount of thanks and rewards he can give them for what they’ve done. Macbeth and Banquo tells him their service is enough as for payment, and Duncan tells Macbeth he will be going to his castle.
Act 1 Scene 5: Summary
Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth and learns of the 3 prophecies. Realizes the opportunity is falling right into their hands (Duncan is staying the night), and tells Macbeth they will kill him then. She claims Macbeth is too kind of a soul, so he will only “sit and watch” while she does the rest.
Act 1 Scene 6: Summary
King Duncan has arrived at inverness (Macbeth’s castle), and comments on how beautiful the Castle is. Lady Macbeth greets him, but Duncan questions where Macbeth is. They move past it and enter the castle.
Act 1 Scene 7: Summary
Macbeth thinks about the reasons to kill and not to kill Duncan, and ultimately considers not to kill Duncan as the cons outweigh the pros, however, Lady Macbeth convinces him to follow through with the plan.
Act 2 Scene 1
Macbeth and Banquo speak to each other before Macbeth kills Duncan. Macbeth asks for Banquo’s loyalty in him vs the king. Macbeth realizes he cannot let Banquo in on his plan. Macbeth is now alone and starts hallucinating a dagger leading him to Duncan’s room. Suddenly, he hears a bell (code from Lady Macbeth), telling him it is time to kill Duncan.
Act 2 Scene 2: Summary
Macbeth has just killed Duncan off stage, but Lady Macbeth is dealing with her own problems. She is questioning whether Macbeth killed Duncan or not, and convinces herself to think she would kill Duncan if it weren’t for Duncan’s similarities to her father. Macbeth returns with his mind scrambled and dealing with a lot of turmoil, but accidentally brings the daggers back with him. Lady Macbeth tells him to rinse off, and she will return the dagger.
Act 2 Scene 3: Summary
A porter rambles on about the gates of hell and describes different scenarios, each relating back to Macbeth. He opens the gates for Macduff and Lennox as they go search for Duncan’s room to wake him. Macbeth arrives and talks with Lennox about the terrible weather last night until Macduff returns with the news of Duncan’s murder. Macbeth checks out the scene and kills the 2 guards at front, and blames his uncontrollable emotions. He overexplains himself causing suspicion to be placed on him until Lady Macbeth faints.
Act 2 Scene 4: Summary
Ross speaks to an old man about all the natural disasters occurring around the country, until Macduff arrives. He tells them about Duncan’s kids fleeing and how suspicions have been placed on them. However, he still is suspicious of Macbeth. Subsequently they talk about Macbeth’s coronation, and Macduff says he will not attend while Ross goes.
Act 3 Scene 1: Summary
Banquo’s soliloquy starts with him suspecting Macbeth of killing Duncan, however, it is cut short when the lords and Macbeth enter for the banquet. Macbeth asks Banquo what he is doing later on, and Banquo tells him he will be riding a horse. Banquo leaves, and Macbeth speaks with 2 murderers alone. He convinces them to kill Banquo.
Act 3 Scene 2: Summary
Lady Macbeth is not happy even though they got what they wanted (tying back to what Banquo said in Act 1). Macbeth enters, and Lady Macbeth advises him to calm down and stop being so paranoid. They both have not been eating, sleeping, and nightmares. However, they put on a happy face for the banquet, and Macbeth hints at his plans with Banquo.
Act 3 Scene 3: Summary
The 2 murders camp at the entrance of Forres waiting for Banquo until a third murderer appears. He tells them Macbeth sent him, and the 3 kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.
Act 3 Scene 4: Summary
The banquet is going on, and Macbeth is called to the door by one of the murderers. He informs him that Banquo is dead, but Fleance escapes. Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth back, and Macbeth comments how he is disappointed that Banquo is not there. Banquo’s ghost then appears and Macbeth freaks out until Lady Macbeth calms him down. Macbeth repeats Banquo’s name and freaks out for a second time. Everyone leaves because of Macbeth. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth start suspecting Macduff because of his absence.
Act 3 Scene 5: Summary
Hecate was angry at the 3 sisters for talking to Macbeth without her consent. Hecate tells the 3 sisters they will lead Macbeth to his downfall by making him feel over-confident.
Act 3 Scene 6: Summary
Lennox and a lord are discussing their suspicions of Macbeth. They talk about Malcolm and Macduff going to England’s King and asking for their help to take down Macbeth. They also talk about the state of the country, and how it has been miserable ever since Macbeth became king.
Act 4 Scene 1: Summary
The witches create the potion and Hecate praises them. Macbeth enters and demands they show him his future. He tells them that is all he cares about, saying things like natural disasters or the end of the universe do not matter to him in comparison.
Apparition #1: head wearing a helmet warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff (Thane of Fife)
Apparition #2: Bloody Child tells Macbeth no man born from a woman will harm Macbeth.
Apparition #3: child wearing a crown and holding a tree in his hand - Macbeth will never lose until Birnam moves to Dunsaine Hill
Macbeth asks about Banquo’s descendants, and what shows is a line of 8 kings from Banquo’s lineage. Macbeth exits the cave and Lennox tells him Macduff is in England. Macbeth plans to kill Macduff’s family.
Act 4 Scene 2: Summary
Lady Macduff is angry with Macduff for leaving with no warning. She fears people may think of them as traitors. Ross tells her he left out of wisdom, when she rebuttals that Macduff left out of fear. Ross leaves as he is embarrassed of his emotions, and enters the son. The scene carries out with the 2 having a conversation showing their bond with each other, then comes the messenger telling them to be careful. Lady Macduff wonders why they have to run, and the murderer enters killing the son and chased after Lady Macduff.
Act 4 Scene 3: Summary
Macduff visits Malcolm in England and begs for him to come and take his spot as king. However, Malcolm cannot trust people so easily so he tests Macduff by telling him he is not fit for kingship. However, after Macduff passes the test Malcolm tells him that he has contacted King Edward and Siward and has thousands of soldiers at their disposal. Ross enters telling them the state of Scotland is disastrous. Ross then informs Macduff that his family has been murdered, and that Macbeth has started mobilizing his army. They then exit going to King Edward.
Act 5 Scene 1: Summary
2 Doctors are watching Lady Macbeth as she sleep walks. As they watch her sleep walk, Lady Macbeth begins talking about all the evil her and Macbeth have done. Killing Duncan, killing Banquo, killing Macduff’s family, etc. They continue to watch as she is clearly being affected mentally by all the evil acts they have committed until the doctors leave.
Act 5 Scene 2: Summary
The English army is rushing to battle meeting with other soldiers in Birnam wood. They notice Donalbain is not among the list of important men. They are then informed that Macbeth moved to Dunsinane and feels the repercussions of his actions. They also realize his soldiers follow orders out of fear and not love.
Act 5 Scene 3: Summary
We are informed that all the thanes are running from Macbeth and joining the English, and Macbeth is getting cocky because of the prophecies. A servant informs Macbeth of the 10,000 soldiers. Macbeth also realizes that even if he wins the war he won’t have anything to cherish afterwards. The doctor then informs Macbeth of the condition L.M is in, and how she is incurable. Macbeth demands Seyton to put his armor on him, and the doctor expresses his hatred to Macbeth.
Act 5 Scene 4: Summary
Malcolm tells the soldiers to take a branch from the Birnam Wood and disguise themselves (Fulfilling the prophecy). Siward recognizes Macbeth’s cockiness, and Malcolm knows about the Thanes/soldiers abandoning Macbeth.
Act 5 Scene 5: Summary
Macbeth hears a women crying, and says he has forgotten what fear feels like. Seyton informs Macbeth that Lady Macbeth has died, and Macbeth’s response is: She should’ve died later, and life is just an endless cycle of repetition and how it means nothing. A messenger then tells Macbeth Birnam woods is moving towards them. Macbeth starts stressing about the situation, and then starts the next scene.
Act 5 Scene 6: Summary
Malcolm tells the soldiers to throw down the branches, and Siward says they will defeat Macbeth’s army swiftly. Macduff ends it by initiating the battle horns.
Act 5 Scene 7: Summary
Macbeth feels like a bear tied to a stake, and waiting to be killed. Then Young Siward enters and is killed while Macbeth taunts him with the prophecies. Macduff enters and says he will not fight anyone except Macbeth. Siward then tells us Macbeth’s soldiers are barely even fighting them, indicating they are NOT on Macbeth’s side.
Act 5 Scene 8: Summary
Macbeth thinks about killing himself, but Macduff enters telling him to fight him. Macbeth tells him he was the only person he’s been avoiding and that he has killed too many Macduffs, but Macduff doesn’t care. Macbeth is getting cocky because of the Apparition, but Macduff tells him he was born through a C-section. Macbeth just gives up, and Macduff tells him he will make a fool of him turning him into a circus freak. This forces Macbeth to fight one more time, and then he dies.
Act 5 Scene 9: Summary
Ross tells Siward that Young Siward has died. All Siward cares about is if he stood his ground or ran away against Macbeth, and once realizing he fought Macbeth, that is all he cared about. Macduff enters hailing King Malcolm with Macbeth’s head. Malcolm ends the play by promoting all thanes, punishing all of Macbeth’s servants, retrieving all of the runaway Thanes, and inviting everyone to his coronation.
