Macbeth Overview

Macbeth Overview

1. The play

   • Act 1
     • The 3 witches plan to meet Macbeth. "When shall we three meet again? In thunder lightening or in rain,"
     • Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches. Macbeth will be king and Banquo' son will be king.
     • Macbeths 'Vaulting ambition' grows as he believes that the prophecies might be true
     • Lady Macbeths soliloquy 'To full o' the milk of human kindness'
     • Macbeth is reluctant to kill the king but Lady Macbeth persuades him.
   • Act 2 and 3
     • Macbeth murders Duncan and Lady Macbeth plants the daggers on the servants .
     • Rosse and an old man discuss the strange and unnatural things that have been happening since Duncans murder.
     • Macbeth is now king. Orders the murder of Banquo and his son
     • Fleance escapes and Macbeth sees Banquos ghost at a banquet
   • Act 4
     • Macbeth visits the witches again.
     • Three apparations: The first warns Macbeth of Macduff. The second states that 'no man born of woman' can harm Macbeth and the third tells him that he can't be beat until Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.
     • Macduff fled to England. His wife and kids were murdered.
     • Macduff proves his loyalty to Malcom.
   • Act 5
     • Lady Macbeth has gone insane and sees blood on her hands.
     • Lady Macbeth kills herself
     • The English army hide behind branches as they move closer to the castle.
     • Macduff can kill Macbeth as he was born from caesarean.
     • Malcolm is made king

2. Characters

   • Macbeth: Is an ambitious Scottish nobleman. He murders Duncan and takes his place.
   • Lady Macbeth: Is Macbeth’s wife and persuaded him to kill Duncan. She eventually commits suicide.
   • Duncan: Is the king of Scotland before Macbeth kills him.
   • Malcolm: Is Duncan’s son and prince of Cumberland. He flees when he is murdered. He becomes king at the end of the play
   • Macduff : Is a noble soldier and kills Macbeth at the end of the play.
   • Lady Macduff: Is Macduffs wife, she and her children are murdered.
   • Banquo: Is Macbeth’s friend until Macbeth kills him.
   • Three witches: Are evil supernatural beings who can predict the future. Their leader is called Hecate.