Macbeth Act 1 Summary

The play opens with a

storm raging in the Scottish moors, three old witches plan to meet
Macbeth after his battle in order to deliver a prophecy. King Duncan
learns that his two generals, Macbeth and Banquo led valiant battles
against invaders and successfully defended Scotland with acts of great
bravery. The king is informed that the thane of Cawdor led a traitorous
army against Scotland and the king orders his execution and Macbeth
should be awarded his title.

As Macbeth and Banquo make their way back to the king’s palace in a storm,
they encounter the three witches who reveal that Macbeth is about to discover
that he has been appointed thane of Cawdor. Macbeth asks for more
information and they declare that he will also one day be king of Scotland. As for
Banquo, they say that he is “lesser than Macbeth, and greater” and although he
will never hold the throne, a long line of his descendants will. The witches vanish,
leaving Macbeth and Banquo stunned.

Back at the palace, King Duncan announces the changes and reveals that he
intends to make his son, Malcom, heir to the throne. Macbeth notes that
Malcom stands between himself and the throne. Learning her husband’s
prophecy, Lady Macbeth is wild with lust for her husband to become king and
resolves that murder is the best course of action. She informs her husband of
her intentions and begins planning. When Macbeth later reveals that he does
not wish to murder King Duncan, Lady Macbeth verbally berates him until he
complies. Lady Macbeth devises a plan to frame King Duncan’s chamberlains by
smearing the king’s blood all over them as they drunkenly sleep.

Macbeth Act 2 Summary

After briefly running into Banquo and his son, Macbeth has a vision of a dagger
floating before him in the air. The tip of the dagger is aimed towards King
Duncan. Macbeth tries in vain to grasp the dagger and he has trouble discerning
if it is real or imagined. He gazes at the dagger in wonder and realizes that there
is blood on the blade. He decides it is a figment of his imagination and Macbeth
resolves to follow through with his wife’s plan.
Lady Macbeth ponders about the event that is about to take place, feeling bold.
Soon after, Macbeth returns, covered in blood, and informs her that the deed is
done. He is badly shaken.

In the early morning hours, a knocking comes at the door of the Macbeth castle.
It is fellow military men Macduff and Lennox who request to speak with the king.
Macbeth says that the king is still asleep but agrees to take them to him.
Macduff discovers the king’s murdered body. Macbeth says that the
chamberlains must have done it. However, Macduff grows suspicious. King
Duncan’s sons become concerned for their own safety and flee the castle. This
causes suspicion to fall on the sons.

Macbeth Act 3 Summary

Macbeth is preparing for his coronation as king. Banquo is pondering the
witches’ prophecy and thinks that since everything else has come true, his
descendants will probably wind up as heirs to the throne. He feels ambitious but
makes no plans of action. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth invite Banquo to attend
the feast they will be throwing later that night.

Once alone, a servant informs Macbeth that some men have come to meet with
him. The servant leaves to get the visitors and while alone, Macbeth delivers a
soliloquy about Banquo and how his friend has turned into someone he fears.
He worries that if the witches’ prophecy is true, he will not have any heirs to
whom he will be able to leave the crown. The murder of King Duncan weighs
heavily on his conscious and his suspects that may be his undoing. The men who
were waiting to meet with Macbeth are two murderers who he has hired to
murder Banquo and his son. Later, the murderers ambush Banquo and his son
on their way to the feast and manage to kill Banquo, but his son escapes.

At the feast, Macbeth is outraged to learn that Banquo’s son escaped. He returns
from speaking with the reporting murderer and sees the ghost of Banquo
seated in his chair at the table. Macbeth begins speaking to him, but none of the
other guests understand what he was doing. Lady Macbeth makes an excuse,
and everyone decides to ignore Macbeth. Concerned, Macbeth plans to try and
meet with the witches once more.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Lennox is meeting with other lords and it is revealed that
Macbeth is starting to be seen as a usurper and is believed to be responsible for
the murders of King Duncan and Banquo. Macbeth is preparing to fight to
defend his role as king and Lennox and the lord hope that the King Duncan’s
son, Malcolm, and Macduff can successfully save Scotland.
Macbeth Act 4 Summary
Macbeth finds the witches and asks them to reveal more information to clarify
their prophecies for him. The witches provide confusing visions for him. Later,
Lennox informs Macbeth that Macduff has left for England. Macbeth decides to
have Macduff’s family murdered to prevent any meddling. In her home, Lady
Macduff and her son are assaulted by a group of murderers. Her son is stabbed,
and Lady Macduff flees with the killers chasing after her. Elsewhere, Malcom and
Macduff worry about the future of Scotland.

Macbeth Act 5 Summary

Lady Macbeth is descending into madness, seeing visions of blood all over
herself that can never be washed off. The English army approaches the Macbeth
castle and Macbeth prepares by donning his armor. Macbeth soon learns that
Lady Macbeth has died but he refuses to believe the news. Macbeth goes into
battle to defend his castle and court. Macbeth and Macduff engage in battle,
until Macbeth is slain by Macduff who carries Macbeth’s head back to the castle
to announce victory in overthrowing the tyrant. Malcom is declared King of
Scotland