Macbeth
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SUMMARY OF THE PLAY
ACT 1 Scence i: An open place The three witches immediately establish one of the themes of the play, witchcraft.
Scene ii: A camp A bleeding captain reports the outcome of the latest battle to Duncan. Banquo and Macbeth have distinguished themselves. Ross and Angus bring news that the Thane of Cawdor has proved a traitor. Duncan announces the Cawdor shall be put to death and Macbeth shall inherit the title.
Scene iii: A heath The three witches, great Macbeth and Banquo. They salute Macbeth as Thane of Glamis. Thane of Cawdor and as a future king of Scotland. They greet Banquo as the father of a line of kings, and then vanish. Ross and Angus greet Macbeth with the title Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth wonders if the third prophecy will come true.
Scene iv: A room in the king’s palace at Forres Duncan welcomes Macbeth and Banquo. He announces that his elder son Malcolm will be his successor.
Scene v: A room in Macbeth’s castle at Inverness Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband, containing news of the witches’ prophecies. A messenger announces that Duncan is coming to the castle that night. Immediately, Lady Macbeth thinks this is their chance to gain the crown. When Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth suggests that Duncan may be killed that night.
Scene vi: Outside Macbeth’s castle Duncan and his followers arrive and are greeted by Lady Macbeth.
Scene vii: A room in Macbeth’s castle Macbeth considers the arguments for and against murdering Duncan. He decides against such action, but when Lady Macbeth enters and he tells her of his decision, she has little trouble in changing his mind.
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ACT II
Scene i: A room in Macbeth’s castle Banquo talks to his son Fleance. Macbeth enters and Banquo asks if he is thinking about the witches. Macbeth denies this. Banquo and Fleance leave and Macbeth contemplates the murder of Duncan.
Scene ii: A room in Macbeth’s castle Lady Macbeth waits while Macbeth murders Duncan. When she notices he has brought the daggers with him from the king’s room, he refuses to return them. Lady Macbeth does this while Macbeth is frightened by a knocking at the front gate.
Scene iii: A room in Macbeth’s castle The drunken porter imagines he is guarding the gateway to hell. When he eventually opens the gate, it is to let in Macduff and Lennox. Macduff goes to wake the king and returns with news of the murder. Macbeth and Lennox investigate; Lady Macbeth and Banquo enter; and then Macbeth returns. Malcolm and Donalbain are told of their father’s murder and Macbeth announces that in fury he has killed the grooms, the apparent murderers. Malcolm and Donalbain fear they may be the next victims and plan to escape.
Scene iv: Outside the castle Ross talks with an old man. Macduff enters with the news that the flight of Malcolm and Donalbain puts suspicion on them and that therefore Macbeth will be crowned king.
ACT III Scene i: A room in Macbeth’s palace Banquo muses on the witches’ prophecies. Macbeth, now king, enters with his followers and hopes that Banquo will not fail the coronation feast that night. Left alone, Macbeth reveals his fears that Banquo may suspect him. Two men are ushered in, hired by Macbeth to murder Banquo and Fleance while they are out riding.
Scene ii: Another room in Macbeth’s castle Lady Macbeth asks why Macbeth keeps to himself. He shares his anxieties but does not inform his wife of his new plans.
Scene iii: A road in parkland near Macbeth’s castle The two murderers, joined by a third, lie in wait for Banquo and Fleance Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes.
Scene iv: The banquet hall in Macbeth’s castle Macbeth formally welcomes the nobles and one of the murderers privately tells Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance is still alive. Macbeth regrets Banquo’s absence. Banquo’s ghost appears to Macbeth and Macbeth’s behaviour all but gives him away. The ghost disappears but reappears when Macbeth next mentions Banquo’s name. Macbeth’s behaviour is so disordered that Lady Macbeth has to dismiss the nobles without ceremony. Left alone with his wife, Macbeth reveals some of his fears and also that he intends to visit the witches again.
Scene v: The heath The witches meet Hecate, a witch queen.
Scene vi: Somewhere in Scotland Lennox and another lord discuss events. Macduff has gone to England to seek help against Macbeth.
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ACT IV
Scene i: A cave The witches cast their spells around a cauldron. When Macbeth enters he demands they answer his questions. The witches summon up three apparitions. On hearing the prophecy of each Macbeth believes himself safe but, on seeking to know if Banquo’s descendants shall be kings, he is confronted by the appearance of a line of eight kings, each looking like Banquo and followed by the ghost of Banquo himself. The witches vanish and Lennox brings Macbeth the news that Macduff has fled to England.
Scene ii: Macduff’s castle at Fife Ross attempts to reassure Lady Macduff as to why her husband should flee to England. The murderers arrive, kill Macduff’s son, and then pursue Lady Macduff.
Scene iii: England Malcolm and Macduff lament the events in Scotland. Ross arrives, bringing the news that all Macduff’s family have been murdered. Malcolm and Macduff go to seek help from England.
ACT V Scene i: A room in Macbeth’s castle A doctor and Lady Macbeth’s waiting-gentlewoman, observe Lady Macbeth sleep-walking.
Scene ii: The country near Dunsinane Scottish lords join with the English forces against him.
Scene iii: In Macbeth’s castle A servant brings news of the approaching English forces and Macbeth instructs the doctor to do all he can to cure Lady Macbeth.
Scene iv: The countryside near Dunsinane Malcolm instructs the soldiers to use boughs from Birnam Wood as camouflage.
Scene v: Macbeth’s castle Macbeth remains in his castle. He is unsettled by news of Lady Macbeth’s death but is much more unsettled by a report that Birnam Wood is apparently on the move. He resolves to fight.
Scene vi: A plain outside the castle Malcolm and his forces reach the castle.
Scene vii: Another part of the plain Macbeth kills Young Siward. Macbeth’s remaining few followers surrender his castle.
Scene viii: Another part of the battlefield Macbeth encounters Macduff and discovers that Macduff’s birth was not natural. They move off, fighting.
Scene ix: Within the castle Old Siward hears of his son’s death and Macduff enters, carrying Macbeth’s head. All hail Malcolm as King of Scotland.
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6 Reading Macbeth – Act by Act Questions
ACT 1
Scene 1 1. Why do you think Shakespeare began this play with the witches? 2. What does this scene tell you about the play that is to follow?
Scene 2 1. We have not seen Macbeth yet, but what impression do you have of him so far?
Scene 3 1. What in this scene could you describe as ‘foul’? 2. What in this scene could you describe as ‘fair’? 3. How do you think Macbeth feels at the end of this scene? And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths. Banquo says this after the witches have been proved right – what advice do you think he is trying to give Macbeth?
Scene 4 1. Most of the speeches in this scene are very formal, but Macbeth’s speech at the end is completely different. Can you explain the difference in style?
Scene 5 1. Lady Macbeth immediately calls for help from evil spirits. Why does she need their help? 2. How much do you find out about the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in this scene?
Scene 6 1. How does what you know about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s plan affect the way you view this scene?
Scene 7 1. What is troubling Macbeth’s conscience at this stage? 2. How does Lady Macbeth put the pressure on Macbeth? 3. What do you think is the argument which finally convinces Macbeth?
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ACT 2
Scene 1 1. Banquo cannot sleep. Can you explain why he is so uneasy? 2. After you have heard Macbeth’s soliloquy (a speech delivered by the actor alone on stage), do you think that Macbeth will find it easy to murder Duncan?
Scene 2 1. Macbeth is a famous warrior and is used to killing people in battle. Why is he so frightened and distracted now? 2. Are there any small signs that Lady Macbeth, although appearing so cool, is troubled too?
Scene 3 1. Why do you think Shakespeare puts in a funny scene at this point in the play? 2. Why are we told about the strange events during the night? 3. Macbeth has to act as if he is shocked and appalled. How does he do this? Would you have been convinced by him? 4. Is Lady Macbeth any more believable?
Scene 4 1. If you were Shakespeare and you had got this far, how would you continue the play? 2. Would it be a good play if it ended here?
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ACT 3
Scene 1 1. How can you tell from the way he behaves in this scene that Macbeth is now king? 2. Why is he so concerned to have Fleance killed? 3. What tactics does he use to persuade his henchmen to murder Banquo?
Scene 2 1. Explain why Macbeth is feeling so uneasy about being king. 2. Why does he not tell Lady Macbeth about his plans for Banquo?
Scene 3 1. Why do you think Shakespeare brought in the third murderer? 2. Why did Shakespeare have the light falling and going out?
Scene 4 1. Why do you think this banquet is so important to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth? 2. Why do you think Shakespeare decided to haunt Macbeth with Banquo rather than Duncan? 3. How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth? 5. What does this scene tell us about Macbeth’s state of mind at this part in the play?
Scene 5 Although this scene appears in most copies of the play, nobody is quite sure why it is there. Many people do not think that that Shakespeare even wrote it and it is usually left out of productions. The only interest might be to look at Hecate’s speech and compare it with another piece of genuine Shakespeare at his best. The difference is striking.
Scene 6 1. Why is Lennox so careful in the way he describes what had happened?
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ACT 4
Scene 1 1. What do you think Macbeth expects to hear from the witches? 2. In what ways is Macbeth encourage by what he hears?
Scene 2 1. We have not met Lady Macduff before and yet we are horrified by her death. How much do we know about her by the time she dies? 2. What makes Lady Macduff’s murder so horrible?
Scene 3 1. Why do you think Shakespeare gives so much time to a scene in which the qualities of good and bad kings are discussed? 2. How does Shakespeare make us feel Macduff’s shock at hearing the news of his family’s murder.
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ACT 5
Scene 1 1. Which of Lady Macbeth’s strange words and actions do you understand, even though the doctor and the gentlewoman do not? 2. How does Lady Macbeth compare now with the way she was when we last saw here, at the feast where Macbeth saw Banquo’s ghost?
Scene 3 1. Not everything Macbeth says in this scene is brave and defiant. What else is running through his mind?
Scene 4 1. From the evidence you have heard in this scene and the impression you had of Macbeth’s castle in the one before, which side is most likely to win the battle? Why?
Scene 5 1. How does Macbeth take the news of his wife’s death (perhaps even suicide)?
Scene 7 1. How does Shakespeare, using only a few actors and a small stage, convey the idea of a battle with lots of soldiers?
Scene 8 1. How does Macbeth behave when he realises the witches have tricked him fatally? 2. Old Siward is glad his son died fighting bravely. Who else was praised as a good soldier earlier in the play? 3. Malcolm calls Macbeth and Lady Macbeth “this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen”. Do you agree with his description?
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QUICK QUIZ
Easy 1. What has Macbeth done to please King Duncan? 2. How many of the witches’ first three predictions come true? 3. Why is the porter so slow in answering the door? 4. Why does Macbeth behave so strangely at the banquet? 5. Why does Birnam Wood appear to move?
Medium 6. What are Macbeth’s first words in the play? 7. What three names doe the witches call Macbeth by? 8. How does Lady Macbeth put the guilt for Duncan’s murder onto his servants? 9. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain hurry away from Scotland? 10. What argument does Macbeth use to convince the murderers that they should kill Banquo? 11. Why is Macbeth furious that Fleance escaped? 12. Can you name any four things the witches put in their cauldron? 13. Which two people see Lady Macbeth walking in her sleep? 14. Who becomes King at the end of the play?
Hard 15. What makes Duncan believe Macbeth’s castle is a pleasant place? 16. Why does Lady Macbeth say she could not kill Duncan herself? 17. Why is one of the witches angry with a sailor’s wife? 18. How many kings appear to Macbeth when he asks the witches whether Banquo’s sons will rule Scotland? 19. Who tells Lady Macduff she should try to escape? 20. Whom do we see Macbeth kill in the final battle?
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QUOTES OF NOTE
Who said what to whom and in what context? (Translate and comment)
1. This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good
2. There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust.
3. And in his commendations I am fed; It is a banquet to me. Let’s after him Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome. It is a peerless kinsman.
4. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts! Unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th’ effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark To cry, ‘Hold, hold!’
5. Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane? You do unbend your noble strength to think So bransickly of things. Go, get some water, And wash this filthy witness from your hand.
6. Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly.
7. I am in blood Stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, 17 Returning were as tedious as go o’er.
8. No in the legions Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d In evils to top Macbeth.
9. Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One; two: why, then ‘tis time to do ‘t. Hell is murky!
10. She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word. To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more; it is a tale Told by an idiot, full or sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
11. - The King comes here tonight. - Thou art made to say it… The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements.
12. No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth.
13. - What wood is this…? - The wood of Birnam. - Let every soldier hew him down a bough An bear’t before him; thereby shall we shadow The numbers of our host
14. When I burned to question them further they made Themselves into air and vanished. Then cam missives From the King who all hailed me Thane of Cawdor by Which these weird sisters saluted me and referred to me In the coming on of time with ‘Hail King that shalt be!’
15. - The Queen, my lord, is dead. - She should have died hereafter There would have been a time for such a word Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow. 18
16. To be thus is nothing But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep.
17. -Macduff is fled to England. - …Fled to England… The castle of Macduff I will surprise. Seize upon Fife, give to the edge o’ th’ sword His wife, his babes and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line.
18. I go, and it is done, the bell invites me. Hear it not Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.
19. Thou hast it now – King, Cawdor, Glamis, all As the weird women promised. And I fear Thou played most foully for it.
20. I will not yield To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet …Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinance, And thou opposed, being of no woman born, Yet I will try the last… Lay on Macduff!
21. Hail King! For so thou art. Behold where stands Th’usurper’s cursed head. The time is free. Hail King of Scotland!
22. -There’s blood upon thy face, -‘Tis Banquo’s then…. - My lord his throat is cut; That I did for him
23. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff… …laugh to scorn The power of man for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth… Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Come against him.
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ESSAY TOPIC:
“Macbeth is a pathetic figure; a character to be pitied.” Discuss.
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Introduction Is he ‘pathetic’? (Define ‘pathetic’) Is he to be pitied? (Explain ‘pity) Connect these two concepts together
Body Reasons why he is/is not pathetic Reasons why he should/should not be pitied (A higher response answer will address the concept of change, for example perhaps he is to be pitied at some stages in the play, but not at other times)
Conclusion Perhaps end with a memorable quotation from the play Are there any other emotions the audience should feel for Macbeth? If he is not to be pitied, then who should be? (Anyone? – for example, his victims
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