Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, Macbeth tells the story of a Scottish nobleman’s rise to power and subsequent downfall. It is a tale of love, ambition, murder and the supernatural.

 

Act 1

The play begins at the end of a battle between Scottish rebels aided by Norway, and The King of Scotland’s army. On a bleak Scottish moorland, Macbeth and Banquo, two of King Duncan's generals, encounter three witches, who prophesy that Macbeth will be promoted twice: to Thane of Cawdor (a rank of the aristocracy bestowed by grateful kings) and King of Scotland. Banquo's descendants will be kings, but Banquo isn't promised any kingdom himself. The generals want to hear more, but the "weird sisters" disappear. Macbeth’s mind immediately turns to murder as the quickest way to secure the throne.

Soon afterwards, King Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his success in the recent battles. The promotion seems to support the prophecy, and encourages Macbeth’s bloody thoughts. The King then proposes to visit Macbeth's castle at Inverness that very night. Lady Macbeth receives news from her husband about the prophecy and his new title. On his arrival home, the two conspire to murder the King to ensure the crown for Macbeth.

 

Act 2

Lady Macbeth drugs the Kings guards and Macbeth murders the king. They leave the blood covered daggers on the unconscious guards so that they will be blamed for the crime. The following day, Duncan's murder is discovered by the noble Macduff, causing chaos. Macbeth murders the guards to ensure their silence. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee Scotland, fearing for their lives, which makes them look guilty of the murder. Macbeth is crowned king, fulfilling the witches' prophecy.

 

Act 3

Although he is now king, Macbeth is troubled by the witches' prophecy about Banquo's descendants. He hires assassins to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, to secure his throne. Banquo is murdered, but Fleance escapes. Macbeth is haunted by Banquo's ghost at a banquet, which is visible only to him. Lady Macbeth attempts to cover for her husband’s erratic behaviour, but the nobles suspect Macbeth’s involvement in Duncan and Banquo’s deaths.

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INTERVAL

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Act 4

Macbeth seeks out the witches again for more information. They provide him with further prophecies: to beware Macduff, the Thane of Fife; that no man born of a woman will harm Macbeth; and that he will remain unvanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Interpreting these prophecies to mean he is invincible, Macbeth becomes overconfident. Meanwhile, Macduff has fled to England to join forces with Malcolm. In Macbeth’s paranoia, he orders the murder of Macduff's family. Macduff attempts to convince Malcolm to return to Scotland, overthrow Macbeth, and take his rightful place on the throne. Malcolm is suspicious of Macduff, and test him to make sure his loyalty lies with him and not with Macbeth. Macduff is informed of the death of his family, and vows revenge on Macbeth. Malcolm has amassed an army with the assistance of England and is ready to fight.

 

Act 5

Lady Macbeth, tormented by guilt, and the collapse of her relationship with her husband, begins sleepwalking and confessing to the murders. Macbeth’s doctor hears her confessions, and passes this information on to Macbeth, who asks him the ‘cure her’.

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Macbeth has no more loyal soldiers, with the only people remaining with him only doing so because they are paid. His behaviour is increasingly erratic and paranoid, but he still believes himself invincible due to the witches prophesy.

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Malcolm and his army are marching towards Macbeth's castle at Dunsinane. To disguise their numbers, they cut down branches from Birnam Wood to use as camouflage, so it appears the wood is moving, just as  in the Witches prophesy. As Macbeth prepares for battle, he learns of Lady Macbeth's death, which he had ordered. This is the last tie he has to humanity, and with this gone nothing matters any more. Yet he clings to the witches’ prophecies, believing he cannot be defeated.

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In the final confrontation, Macduff reveals that he was born via Caesarean section, and thus not "of woman born." He kills Macbeth, fulfilling the prophecy. Malcolm is declared king, restoring order and justice to Scotland.