Act I Summary The play opens with three witches in a desert place. They are discussing when they will meet again and agree that they will meet Macbeth on the heath after the battle has ended. The scene shifts to a military camp near the palace at Forres. The king, Duncan, is there with his sons and some noblemen. An injured solider arrives to relay news of the battle against the Norwegian forces. Valiant Macbeth and Banquo have routed the enemy and achieved victory despite the rebellious attack of Macdonwald. Ross then explains that the thane of Cawdor turned traitor. Duncan pronounces death for Cawdor and gives the title to Macbeth. The witches are on the heath, recounting their various adventures since they last parted. Banquo and Macbeth happen upon them and hear the following prophecies: Macbeth will be thane of Cawdor and become king while Banquo will father a line of kings. Initially, the men dismiss the predictions, but when Ross and Angus meet them and inform Macbeth that he has been named thane of Cawdor, Macbeth ponders the possibility that the witches spoke the truth. Back at the palace, the king learns that Cawdor has been executed after confessing to his crimes. Banquo and Macbeth arrive, declaring their loyalty to the king. Duncan names his son Malcolm to be his heir, and Macbeth realizes this is an impediment to him becoming king. Macbeth leaves to tell his wife that the king will be dining with them at Inverness that night. Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband explaining the strange events that have transpired. She knows that she must act as a man and push Macbeth toward the kingship, toward greatness, because he is too kind and humane to do it on his own. When Macbeth arrives with the news that Duncan is joining them for dinner, she declares firmly that Duncan will not see tomorrow. She tells Macbeth to leave the plans in her hands. Duncan and the noblemen arrive at Inverness. Lady Macbeth greets them and plays the perfect hostess. Macbeth’s conscience begins to trouble him, and he decides not to murder Duncan. His wife, however, calls him a coward and taunts him for his weakness. Eventually, Macbeth agrees to complete the plan, which involves drugging Duncan’s chamberlains, using their daggers to kill Duncan, and then smearing the chamberlains with blood to make them appear guilty.

Act II Summary The scene opens at Inverness, Macbeth’s castle. Banquo and his son, Fleance, are awake late at night when they happen upon Macbeth. Banquo mentions that he dreamt of the three witches, and Macbeth responds that he hasn’t given them much thought but would like to discuss the event in detail at a later time. After Banquo retires to bed, Macbeth begins the famous dagger soliloquy wherein he imagines a bloody dagger in the air and ponders his evil plan. Lady Macbeth has prepared the scene for Macbeth’s murderous arrival; in fact, she asserts that she would have killed Duncan herself except that he resembled her father as he slept. Soon, Macbeth enters saying the deed is done. He mentions that the chamberlains awoke briefly but said their prayers and went back to sleep. Macbeth was unable to utter “amen” with them. Lady Macbeth becomes angry when she notices that Macbeth brought the daggers with him. He is too afraid to return them so Lady Macbeth does it herself, calling him a coward for his weakness. There is a strange knocking that frightens Macbeth. Lady Macbeth escorts him to bed to maintain the appearance of innocence. Macduff and Lennox arrive at Inverness. Macbeth greets them and, in response to their query, says the king has not yet risen. While Macduff goes to the king’s room, Lennox mentions that the preceding night was unnatural and disturbing. Macbeth agrees, and then Macduff returns with the news that Duncan has been murdered. Slowly the castle inhabitants join the crowd, learn the dreadful news, and add to the lamentations. Macbeth, who left with Lennox after Macduff’s announcement, returns and says that he has killed the murderous chamberlains in his fury. Lady Macbeth faints and is carried out. The noblemen agree to meet in the hall and discuss the next steps. Privately, Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee the country, believing that the murderer will seek them next. Outside the castle, Ross and an old man discuss the strange events that have occurred, such as a falcon killed by an owl and the king’s horses eating one another. Macduff emerges to say that the noblemen have decided to name Macbeth king, believing that Malcolm’s and Donalbain’s disappearance signals their guilt. Macduff plans to return home to Fife while Ross heads to Scone to see the coronation.