Having trouble understanding Macbeth's plot? This simple summary will guide you.
Act 1
Three witches gather in a thunderstorm to meet Macbeth.
Duncan orders the execution of the Thane of Cawdor for his treachery and gives Macbeth the title for his bravery in battle. Macbeth & Banquo meet the witches and hear their prophecies. Ross confirms that Macbeth is the new Thane of Cawdor.
Duncan makes Malcolm the next heir to the throne and tells Macbeth he will visit him at his castle.
Lady Macbeth reads a letters from Macbeth about the events so far and plots to kill Duncan. Duncan arrives at the castle.
Macbeth decides he cannot go through with the murder but Lady Macbeth persuades him to change his mind.
thunderstorm (huge rainstorm with lightning and thunder)
treachery bad behaviour
battle fight
prophecies predictions
throne (seat of power of a king or queen)
castle (huge, fancy, stone house)
persuade convince
Act 2
Macbeth makes his way to Duncan‘s room and sees a dagger floating in the air before him.
Macbeth murders Duncan but forgets to leave the daggers in the room and Lady Macbeth is forced to take charge and put them back.
The next morning Macduff discovers Duncan‘s body.
Macbeth kills the servants ‘in a rage‘ to lay the blame on them.
Malcom and Donalbain flee the castle. Macduff reports that suspicion of the murder has fallen on the King‘s sons.
dagger knife
daggers knives
flee escape
suspicion bad feeling
Act 3
Macbeth is now king, but Banquo is suspicious about how the witches‘ predictions have come true.
Macbeth arranges to have him and his son murdered, but refuses to talk to Lady Macbeth about his plans.
Banquo is murdered but his son, Fleance, escapes. At a feast that evening, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo at the table.
Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth down but fails and sends the guests away. The witches meet again and Hecate predicts Macbeth‘s downfall.
Suspicion of Macbeth grows and Macduff leaves for England to rouse support against him.
predictions (statements about the future)
feast food-based celebration
predicts (describes the future)
downfall (loss of wealth, power, reputation/something that ruins something)
Suspicion Bad feeling
rouse awaken
Act 4
Macbeth visits the witches again. They tell him that he cannot be harmed by anyone ‘born of woman‘ and that he will be safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane.
They warn him to beware Macduff so Macbeth decides to murder Macduff‘s wife and children.
Macduff discovers his family have been murdered. He and Malcolm lead an army to Scotland to attack Macbeth.
beware be aware
Act 5
Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and trying to wash imaginary blood from her hands. Malcolm‘s army arrive at Birnam Wood and hear reports that Macbeth‘s supporters are deserting him.
Macbeth is besieged but puts his trust in the witches‘ prophecies.
Malcolm orders his army to cut down branches from Birnam Wood to disguise the number of soldiers.
Macbeth is told of his wife‘s death and that Birnam Wood seems to be approaching. He resolves to die fighting. Macbeth is killed by Macduff (who reveals he was delivered by caesarean).
Malcom becomes the new king of Scotland and order is restored.
besieged attacked
resolves to promises to
reveals shows/tells about
