Untitled Flashcards Set

Key Events in Macbeth (in order):

1. The Witches' Prophecy (Act 1, Scene 3):
   
   

   • Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, who give Macbeth the prophecy that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland. They also tell Banquo that his descendants will be kings, but he will not be one himself.

2. Macbeth's Ambition and Lady Macbeth’s Influence (Act 1, Scene 5):
   
   

   • Lady Macbeth receives news of Macbeth’s prophecy and begins to influence him to murder King Duncan in order to fulfill the prophecy.

3. Duncan’s Murder (Act 2, Scene 2):
   
   

   • Macbeth kills King Duncan while he is staying at Macbeth's castle. Lady Macbeth helps to cover up the crime.

4. Macbeth Becomes King (Act 2, Scene 4):
   
   

   • After Duncan’s death, Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland, though he is filled with guilt and paranoia.

5. Banquo’s Murder (Act 3, Scene 3):
   
   

   • Macbeth, fearing Banquo’s descendants will take the throne, arranges for Banquo’s murder. However, Banquo’s son, Fleance, escapes.

6. Macbeth’s Tyranny (Act 3, Scene 4-5):
   
   

   • Macbeth begins to rule with fear and paranoia, seeing ghosts and worrying about threats to his rule.

7. Macbeth’s Downfall (Act 5, Scene 5-8):
   
   

   • Macduff, who was not “born of woman” in the usual way (he was delivered via C-section), kills Macbeth. Lady Macbeth also dies, possibly by suicide, overwhelmed by guilt.