Key Events and Themes in Macbeth

Witches

Three supernatural beings symbolizing evil and disorder.

Heath

A wild setting for the witches' meeting.

Fair is foul, foul is fair

Theme of deceptive appearances in the play.

Macbeth's Heroism

Macbeth is praised for bravery in battle.

Thane of Cawdor

Title given to Macbeth after defeating traitors.

Witches' Prophecy

Foretelling Macbeth's rise and Banquo's lineage.

Prince of Cumberland

Malcolm named heir by Duncan, blocking Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth's Ambition

Desires power and plans Duncan's murder.

Dramatic Irony

Audience knows Duncan's fate at Macbeth's castle.

Macbeth's Doubts

Struggles with conscience over killing Duncan.

Dagger Vision

Macbeth hallucinates a dagger leading to murder.

Duncan's Murder

Macbeth kills Duncan, leading to guilt.

Banquo's Murder

Macbeth hires murderers to eliminate Banquo.

Hecate's Anger

Goddess scolds witches for acting without her.

Second Prophecies

Witches give Macbeth three new predictions.

Murder of Macduff's Family

Macbeth's cruelty escalates with this act.

Malcolm and Macduff

Join forces to overthrow Macbeth in England.

Lady Macbeth's Guilt

Sleepwalking reveals her overwhelming remorse.

Birnam Wood Moves

Soldiers use branches to fulfill the prophecy.

Macbeth's False Confidence

Believes he is invincible due to prophecies.

Macbeth's Death

Killed by Macduff, fulfilling the prophecy.

Malcolm Becomes King

Restores order after Macbeth's tyrannical reign.

Vaulting Ambition

Macbeth's ambition drives him to commit murder.

Banquo's Ghost

Macbeth's guilt manifests during the banquet.

Suspicion and Paranoia

Macbeth's rule leads to growing distrust.

Dramatic Tension

Built through Macbeth's internal conflicts.

Macbeth's Transformation

From hero to tyrant throughout the play.

Irony of Duncan's Visit

Duncan praises the castle, unaware of danger.