Summary of the plot or story (1)
A thunderstorm and three witches conclude a meeting. They decide to confront the great Scottish
general Macbeth on his victorious return from a war between Scotland and Norway. The Scottish king,
Duncan, decides that he will confer the title of the traitorous Cawdor on the heroic Macbeth.
Macbeth, and another General called Banquo, happen upon the three witches. The witches predict that
he will one day become king. They also predict that Banquo will beget a line of kings, although will not
ascend the throne himself. King Duncan arranges to visit him at his castle. Macbeth cannot stop thinking
about the witches' prediction that he will become king and decides that he will murder Duncan.
Macbeth's wife agrees to his plan.
Duncan arrives at the castle with his entourage but Macbeth has second thoughts about the murder
plot. The forceful Lady Macbeth holds him to his vow to kill Duncan and further encourages him. She
then summons evil spirits to "unsex" her and fortify her with cruelty. He then murders Duncan assisted
by his wife who smears the blood of Duncan on the daggers of the sleeping guards.
A nobleman called Macduff discovers the body. Before investigation can take place Macbeth kills the
guards insisting that their daggers smeared with Duncan's blood are proof that they committed the
murderous crime. Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain fearing for their lives flee for Scotland. This
makes them appear guilty so the crown passes to Macbeth.
He remembers the prophecy of the witches that Banquo will beget a line of kings So he sends hired
assassins to murder Banquo and his son Fleance. Fleance, is the only one to escape with his life.
At a feast the bloodied ghost of Banquo appears to Macbeth but to no one else causing Macbeth to act
and speak strangely. His wife sends the guests away.
Macbeth plagued by the fear of being discovered begins to suspect that Macduff, a nobleman who
refused to attend the feast suspects him. He meets with the witches again and they confirm that he has
good reason to fear Macduff but they soothe his fears by telling him that no born of woman can harm
him.
Lady Macbeth's conscience now begins to torture her and she imagines that she can see her hands
covered with blood. She commits suicide.
Macbeth meets Macduff in hand-to-hand combat confident that he will win the day because ''none born
of woman'' can harm him. Macduff then reveals that he was not ''of woman born'' but was ''untimely
ripp'd'' from his mother's womb. Macduff kills Macbeth and the witches prediction proves true. Malcolm
becomes king. The themes discussed are ambition, fate, deception and treachery.
Summary of the plot or story (2)
A thunderstorm and three witches conclude a meeting. They decide to confront the great Scottish
general Macbeth on his victorious return from a war between Scotland and Norway.
Macbeth, and another General called Banquo, happen upon the three witches. The witches predict that
he will one day become king. King Duncan arranges to visit him at his castle. Macbeth cannot stop
thinking about the witches' prediction that he will become king and decides that he will murder Duncan.
Macbeth's wife agrees to his plan.
Duncan arrives at the castle with his entourage but Macbeth has second thoughts about the murder
plot. The forceful Lady Macbeth holds him to his vow to kill Duncan and further encourages him. He then
murders Duncan assisted by his wife who smears the blood of Duncan on the daggers of the sleeping
guards.
A nobleman called Macduff discovers the body. Before investigation can take place Macbeth kills the
guards insisting that their daggers smeared with Duncan's blood are proof that they committed the
murderous crime. Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain fearing for their lives flee for Scotland. This
makes them appear guilty so the crown passes to Macbeth.
Macbeth meets with the witches again and they confirm that he has good reason to fear Macduff but
they soothe his fears by telling him that no born of woman can harm him.
After meeting with the witches he learns that Macduff is urging Duncan's son, Malcolm, to reclaim the
throne. In revenge, he has Macduff's wife and son murdered. Macduff organizes an army to bring down
Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth's conscience now begins to torture her and she imagines that she can see her hands
covered with blood. She commits suicide.
Macbeth meets Macduff in hand-to-hand combat confident that he will win the day because ''none born
of woman'' can harm him. Macduff then reveals that he was not ''of woman born'' but was ''untimely
ripp'd'' from his mother's womb. Macduff kills Macbeth and the witches’ prediction proves true.
Malcolm becomes king.
Summary of the plot or story (3)
Macbeth, and another General called Banquo, meet the three witches. The witches predict that he will
one day become king. King Duncan arranges to visit him at his castle. Macbeth cannot stop thinking
about the witches' prediction that he will become king and decides that he will murder Duncan.
Macbeth's wife agrees to his plan.
Duncan arrives at the castle but Macbeth has second thoughts about the murder plot. The forceful Lady
Macbeth holds him to his promise to kill Duncan and further encourages him. He then murders Duncan
assisted by his wife who smears the blood of Duncan on the daggers of the sleeping guards.
Macbeth meets with the witches again and they confirm that he has good reason to fear Macduff but
they soothe his fears by telling him that no born of woman can harm him.
After meeting with the witches he learns that Macduff is urging Duncan's son, Malcolm, to reclaim the
throne. In revenge, he has Macduff's wife and son murdered. Macduff organizes an army to bring down
Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth's conscience now begins to torture her and she imagines that she can see her hands
covered with blood. She commits suicide.
Macbeth meets Macduff in hand-to-hand combat confident that he will win the day because ''none born
of woman'' can harm him. Macduff then reveals that he was not ''of woman born'' but was ''untimely
ripp'd'' from his mother's womb. Macduff kills Macbeth and the witches’ prediction proves true.
Malcolm becomes king.