William Shakespeare’s

Macbeth

Student Support Booklet

Theme/Motif Key Ambition Prophesy

Guilt

Presentation of femininity/ masculinity

False Appearances

Murder/Violence

Religious/moral conflict

Supernatural

Blood

Act What Happens? Key quotes Key

themes/motifs

Act 1 Summary:Act1,scene1ThreewitchesmakeplanstomeetMacbeth.Summary:Act1,scene2KingDuncanofScotlandasksawoundedcaptainfornewsabouttheScots’battlewiththeIrishinvaders,whoareledbytherebelMacdonwald.ThecaptaindescribeshowbraveMacbethisinbattle.KingDuncangivesordersforTheThaneofCawdortobeexecutedfortreason.HesayshewantsMacbethtobeThaneofCawdor.Summary:Act1,scene3MacbethandBanquoarereturningfrombattlewhentheymeetthewitches.TheyhailMacbethasthaneofGlamis(hisoriginaltitle)andasthaneofCawdor.Macbethisconfusedbythissecondtitle,ashehasnotyetheardofKingDuncan’sdecision.ThewitchesalsodeclarethatMacbethwillbekingoneday.TheycallBanquo“lesserthanMacbeth,andgreater,”and“notsohappy,yetmuchhappier”;thentheytellhimthathewillneverbekingbutthathischildrenwillbekings.RossarrivesandtellsMacbeththatthekinghasmadehimthaneofCawdor,sothewitches’prophecyhascometrue.Macbeththenwondersifhewillonedaybekingandwhetherhewillhavetoperformadarkdeedinordertogainthecrown.

“Fairisfoul,andfoulisfair”(witches)

“withhisbrandishedsteel,Whichsmokedwithbloodyexecution[…]heunseamedhimfromthenametoth’chaps”(CaptaintoDuncan)“AllhailMacbeth,thatshaltbekinghereafter”(witch’sprophesy)

Summary:Act1,scene4PlansaremadeforDuncantodineatMacbeth’scastlethatevening,andMacbethinformshiswifeoftheking’simpendingarrival.Summary:Act1,scene5InInverness,Macbeth’scastle,LadyMacbethreadstoherselfalettershehasreceivedfromMacbethinformingheroftheWitches’prophesy.ShesaysthatsheisworriedthatMacbethmightbetoofullof“th’milkofhumankindness”tomakesurethatthisprophesycomestruequickly-inotherwords,tokillKingDuncan.AmessengerinformsLadyMacbeththatthekingisonhiswaytothecastle,andthatMacbethisonhiswayaswell.Sheresolvestoputhernaturalfemininityasidesothatshecandothebloodydeedsnecessarytoseizethecrown.Macbetharrivesandshetellshimtheplan.Summary:Act1,scene7MacbethhasdoubtsaboutkillingKingDuncan.LadyMacbethentersand,whenMacbethtellsherhewillnotgoaheadwiththeplanLadyMacbethbecomesangryandpersuadeshimtogoaheadwithkillingDuncan.

“Idofearthynature,Itistoofullo’th’milkofhumankindnessTocatchthenearestway.”(LadyMacbethaboutMacbeth)“Come,youspiritsThattendonmortalthoughts,unsexmehere”“fillmefromthecrowntothetoetopfullOfdirestcruelty”“Makethickmyblood,Stopupth’accessandpassagetoremorse”“Cometomywomen’sbreastsAndtakemymilkforgall,youmurd’ringministers”“Lookliketh’innocentflower,Butbetheserpentunder’t”(LadyMacbethtoMacbeth)“Thiseven-handedjusticeCommendsth’ingredienceofourpoisonedchaliceToourownlips.”(Macbeth’smoralconflictaboutkillingDuncan)“He’shereindoubletrust”(MacbethonhowheisbeingduplicitousinlettingDuncantrusthim)“hisvirtuesWillpleadlikeangels”(MacbethonDuncan)“Whatbeastwas’tthenThatmadeyoubreakthisenterprisetome?”“IhavegivensuckandknowHowtender‘tistolovethebabethatmilksme:Iwould,whileitweresmilinginmyface,HavepluckedmynipplefromhisbonelessgumsAnddashedthebrainsout,hadIsoswornAsyouhavedonetothis”

Act 2 Summary:Act2,scene1BanquoandhissonFleanceareatMacbeth’scastle.Macbethenters,andBanquoissurprisedtoseehimstillup.Banquomentionsthathehadadreamaboutthe“threeweirdsisters.”WhenBanquosuggeststhatthewitcheshaverevealed“sometruth”toMacbeth,Macbethclaimsthathehasnotthoughtofthematallsincetheirencounterinthewoods.BanquoandFleanceleave,andsuddenly,inthedarkenedhall,Macbethhasavisionofadaggerfloatingintheairbeforehim,itshandlepointingtowardhishandanditstipaiminghimtowardDuncan.Macbethtriestograsptheweaponandfails.LadyMacbeth’ssignalthatthechamberlainsareasleep—andMacbethstridestowardDuncan’schamber.Summary:Act2,scene2LadyMacbethwaitsandMacbethemerges,hishandscoveredinblood,andsaysthatthedeedisdone.Hetellsherthatheheardthechamberlainsawakeandsaytheirprayersbeforegoingbacktosleep.Whentheysaid“amen,”hetriedtosayitwiththembutfoundthatthewordstuckinhisthroat.Headdsthatashekilledtheking,hethoughtheheardavoicecryout:“Sleepnomore,/Macbethdoesmurdersleep”.LadyMacbethrealisesthatMacbethforgottoleavethedaggers,soshebecomesangryandtakesthemoffhimtoreturnthem.Shesaysshewouldbeashamedtobeascowardlyashim.Macbethsays“WillallgreatNeptune’soceanwashthisblood/Cleanfrommyhand?”LadyMacbethreturnsandtellshim“Alittlewaterclearsusofthisdeed.”Summary:Act2,scene3Thenextmorning,Macduffenterstheking’schamber.Withacryof“Ohorror,horror,horror!”,herunsout,shoutingthatthekinghasbeenmurdered.LadyMacbethexpressesherhorrorthatsuchadeedcouldbedoneunderherroof.MalcolmandDonalbainarriveonthescene.Theyaretoldthattheirfatherhasbeenkilled,mostlikelybyhischamberlains,whowerefoundwithbloodydaggers.Macbethdeclaresthatinhisragehehaskilledthechamberlains.Macduffseemssuspiciousofthesenewdeaths,whichMacbethexplainsbysayingthathisfuryatDuncan’sdeathwassopowerfulthathecouldnotrestrainhimself.LadyMacbethsuddenlyfaints,andbothMacduffandBanquocallforsomeonetoattendtoher.MalcolmandDonalbainwhispertoeachotherthattheyarenotsafe,sincewhoeverkilledtheirfatherwillprobablytrytokillthemnext.LadyMacbethistakenaway,whileBanquoandMacbethrallythelordstomeetand

“IsthisadaggerIseebeforeme[…]?”“Sleepnomore,/Macbethdoesmurdersleep”.“Infirmofpurpose!”(LadyMacbethtoMacbethwhensheseeshehasbroughtthedaggers)“WillallgreatNeptune’soceanwashthisblood/Cleanfrommyhand?”“Myhandsareofyourcolour,butIshameTowearaheartsowhite”(LadyMacbethtoMacbeth)“Alittlewaterclearsusofthisdeed.”(LadyMacbeth)

(visionofdagger)

discussthemurder.Duncan’ssonsresolvetofleethecourt.MalcolmdeclaresthathewillgosouthtoEngland,andDonalbaingoestoIreland.Summary:Act2,scene4Rosswalksoutsidethecastlewithanoldman.Theydiscussthestrangeandominoushappeningsofthepastfewdays:itisdaytime,butdarkoutside;lastTuesday,anowlkilledafalcon;andDuncan’sbeautiful,well-trainedhorsesbehavedwildlyandateoneanother.MacduffemergesfromthecastleandtellsRossthatMacbethhasbeenmadekingbytheotherlords,andthathenowridestoSconetobecrowned.Macduffaddsthatthechamberlainsseemthemostlikelymurderers,andthattheymayhavebeenpaidoffbysomeonetokillDuncan.Suspicionhasnowfallenonthetwoprinces,MalcolmandDonalbain,becausetheyhavefledthescene.

Act 3

Summary:Act3,scene1Macbethenters,attiredasking.HeisfollowedbyLadyMacbeth,nowhisqueen,andthecourt.MacbethandLadyMacbethaskBanquotoattendthefeasttheywillhostthatnight.Banquoacceptstheirinvitationandsaysthatheplanstogoforarideonhishorsefortheafternoon.Banquodeparts,andMacbethdismisseshiscourt.Macbethmeetswithtwomen,whoaremurderershehashired.HeinstructsthemtokillBanquoandFleance.Summary:Act3,scene2Elsewhereinthecastle,Macbethtellshiswifethathismindis“fullofscorpions”.HefeelsthatthebusinessthattheybeganbykillingDuncanisnotyetcompletebecausetherearestillthreatstothethronethatmustbeeliminated.Macbethtellshiswifethathehasplanned“adeedofdreadfulnote”forBanquoandFleanceandurgeshertobejovialandkindtoBanquoduringtheevening’sfeast,inordertoluretheirnextvictimintoafalsesenseofsecurity.Summary:Act3,scene3Itisdusk,andthetwomurderers,nowjoinedbyathird,lingerinawoodedparkoutsidethepalace.BanquoandFleanceapproachontheirhorsesandthemurderersattackthem.ThemurdererskillBanquo,whodiesurginghissontofleeandtoavengehisdeath.Fleanceescapes.ThemurderersleavewithBanquo’sbodytofindMacbethandtellhimwhathashappened.

“Beinnocentoftheknowledge,dearestchuck”(MacbethtoLadyMacbeth-hehasplannedthemurderofBanquoindependentlyofher!)“Fly,goodFleance,fly,fly,fly!”(Banquotohisson)

(Fleancesurvives)

Summary:Act3,scene4MacbethandLadyMacbethholdafeastattheircastle.Justbeforetheyallgotositdownatthetable,themurderersreturntoletMacbethknowwhathashappened.WhentheytellhimthatBanquoisdeadbutFleanceescaped,Macbethbecomesextremelyanxious.ThemurderersleaveandMacbethjoinsthefeast.Wheninvitedtotakeaseat,hesayshecan’tbecausetheyarealltaken.Unbeknowntotheguests,MacbethcanseetheghostofBanquo.Heishorrifiedandspeakstotheghost,tellingittostoptormentinghim.LadyMacbethtriestocalmMacbethdown,assheisangrythatheisdisruptingthefeastandcouldmakepeoplesuspicious.However,theghostentersagainandMacbethisdistressedoncemore.LadyMacbethmakesexcusesforMacbeth’sbehaviour,sayingthatheisunwellandtheyshouldleave.Macbethresolvestogotoseethewitchesinordertotrytofindoutmoreforreassurance.Summary:Act3,scene5Uponthestormyheath,thewitchesmeetwithHecate,thegoddessofwitchcraft.HecatescoldsthemformeddlinginthebusinessofMacbethwithoutconsultingherbutdeclaresthatshewilltakeoverassupervisorofthemischief.ShesaysthatwhenMacbethcomesthenextday,astheyknowhewill,theymustsummonvisionsandspiritswhosemessageswillfillhimwithafalsesenseofsecurityand“drawhimontohisconfusion”.Hecatevanishes,andthewitchesgotopreparetheircharms.Summary:Act3,scene6Thatnight,somewhereinScotland,Lennoxwalkswithanotherlord,discussingwhathashappenedtothekingdom.Banquo’smurderhasbeenofficiallyblamedonFleance,whohasfled.Nevertheless,bothmensuspectMacbeth,whomtheycalla“tyrant,”inthemurdersofDuncanandBanquo.ThelordtellsLennoxthatMacduffhasgonetoEngland,wherehewilljoinMalcolminpleadingwithEngland’sKingEdwardforaid.NewsoftheseplotshaspromptedMacbethtoprepareforwar.LennoxandthelordexpresstheirhopethatMalcolmandMacduffwillbesuccessfulandthattheiractionscansaveScotlandfromMacbeth.

“Ihadelsebeenperfect[…]ButnowIamcabined,cribbed,confined,boundinTosaucydoubtsandfears”(MacbethonhearingthatFleancehasescaped)“Whichofyouhavedonethis?”(MacbethconfusedasheseestheghostofBanquo)“Thoucan’tnotsayIdidit;nevershakeThygorylocksatme!”(Macbethtotheghost)“Sit,worthyfriends.MyLordisoftenthusandhasbeenfromhisyouth”(LadyMacbethtriestocalmthesituation)“Areyouaman?”“What,quiteunmannedinfolly?”(LadyMacbethquestionsMacbeth’smasculinity/strength)“AndtoourdearfriendBanquo,whomwemiss”(MacbethtoaststoBanquo,tryingtoensurethatpeopledon’tsuspectthatheisthereasonBanquodidnotattendthefeast)“Avauntandquitmysight!Lettheearthhidethee!”(Macbethtotheghostwhenitreappears)“bloodwillhaveblood”(Macbethreflectsontheconsequencesofhisactions)“Iwilltomorrow[…]totheweirdsisters”(MacbethmakesaplantoknowmoreindependentlyofLadyMacbeth)“IaminbloodsteppedinsofarthatshouldIwadenomore,Returningwereastediousasgoo’er”.(Macbethreflectsontheconsequencesofhisactionsandwhattodonext)

Act 4

Summary:Act4,scene1Inadarkcavern,abubblingcauldronhissesandspits,andthethreewitchessuddenlyappearonstage.Theycirclethecauldron,chantingspellsandaddingbizarreingredientstotheirstew—“eyeofnewtandtoeoffrog,/Woolofbatandtongueofdog”(4.1.14–15).Hecatematerializesandcomplimentsthewitchesontheirwork.Oneofthewitchesthenchants:“Bytheprickingofmythumbs,/Somethingwickedthiswaycomes”(4.1.61–62).Infulfillmentofthewitch’sprediction,Macbethenters.Heasksthewitchestorevealthetruthoftheirpropheciestohim.Toanswerhisquestions,theysummonhorribleapparitions,eachofwhichoffersaprediction.

• First,afloatingheadwarnshimtobewareMacduff;Macbethsaysthathehasalreadyguessedasmuch.Thenabloodychildappearsandtellshimthat“noneofwomanborn/shallharmMacbeth”

• Next,acrownedchildholdingatreetellshimthatheissafeuntilBirnamWoodmovestoDunsinaneHill.

• Finally,aprocessionofeightcrownedkingswalksby,thelastcarryingamirror.Banquo’sghostwalksattheendoftheline.Macbethdemandstoknowthemeaningofthisfinalvision,butthewitchesperformamaddanceandthenvanish.

LennoxentersandtellsMacbeththatMacduffhasfledtoEngland.MacbethresolvestosendmurdererstocaptureMacduff’scastleandtokillMacduff’swifeandchildren.Summary:Act4,scene2AgroupofmurderersthenentersLadyMacduff’scastle.WhenoneofthemurderersspeaksbadlyofMacduff,Macduff’ssoncallsthemurdereraliar,andthemurdererstabshim.LadyMacduffturnsandruns,andthepackofkillerschasesafterher.Theyareallslaughtered.Summary:Act4,scene3RosstellsMacduffthathiswifeandchildrenarewell.HeurgesMalcolmtoreturntohiscountry,listingthewoesthathavebefallenScotlandsinceMacbethtookthecrown.MalcolmsaysthathewillreturnwithtenthousandsoldierslenthimbytheEnglishking.Then,breakingdown,RossconfessestoMacduffthatMacbethhasmurderedhiswifeandchildren.Macduffiscrushedwithgrief.Malcolmurgeshim

“Double,doubletoilandtrouble;Fireburn,andcauldronbubble”(Witches’spell)“Bytheprickingofmythumbs,Somethingwickedthiswaycomes”(thewitchesonMacbeth)“noneofwomanborn/shallharmMacbeth”“ExitLadyMacduffcrying‘Murder’”

toturnhisgrieftoanger,andMacduffassureshimthathewillinflictrevengeuponMacbeth.

Act5

Summary:Act5,scene1)LadyMacbethsleepwalks,whilstbeingwatchedbyadoctorandhermaid.Sheseesbloodonherhandswhichwillnotcomeoff.Thisshowsherdecentintomadnessandshowsherguilt.Summary:Act5,scene2Outsidethecastle,agroupofScottishlordsdiscussesthemilitarysituation.The“tyrant,”asLennoxandtheotherlordscallMacbeth,hasfortifiedDunsinaneCastleandismakinghismilitarypreparationsinamadrage.Summary:Act5,scene3MacbethstridesintothehallofDunsinanewiththedoctorandhisattendants,boastingproudlythathehasnothingtofearfromtheEnglisharmyorfromMalcolm,since“noneofwomanborn”canharmhimandsincehewillrulesecurely“[t]illBirnamWoodremovetoDunsinane”.HecallshisservantSeyton,whoconfirmsthatanarmyoftenthousandEnglishmenapproachesthecastle.Macbethinsistsuponwearinghisarmour,thoughthebattleisstillsometimeoff.ThedoctortellsthekingthatLadyMacbethiskeptfromrestby“thick-comingfancies,”andMacbethordershimtocureherofherdelusions.Summary:Act5,scene4InthecountrynearBirnamWood,MalcolmtalkswiththeEnglishlordSiwardandhisofficersaboutMacbeth’splantodefendthefortifiedcastle.Theydecidethateachsoldiershouldcutdownaboughoftheforestandcarryitinfrontofhimastheymarchtothecastle,therebydisguisingtheirnumbers.Summary:Act5,scene5Withinthecastle,awoman’scryisheard,andSeytonappearstotellMacbeththatthequeenisdead.Shocked,Macbethspeaksnumblyaboutthepassageoftimeanddeclaresfamouslythatlifeis“atale/Toldbyanidiot,fullofsoundandfury,/Signifyingnothing”.Amessengerenterswithastonishingnews:thetreesofBirnamWoodareadvancingtowardDunsinane.Enragedandterrified,MacbethrecallstheprophecythatsaidhecouldnotdietillBirnamWoodmovedtoDunsinane.Resignedly,hedeclaresthatheistiredofthesunandthatatleasthewilldiefighting.Summary:Act5,scene6Outsidethecastle,thebattlecommences.MalcolmorderstheEnglishsoldierstothrowdowntheirboughsanddrawtheirswords.Summary:Act5,scene7

“Out,damnedspot!Out,Isay!”“What,willthesehandsne’erbeclean?”“AlltheperfumesofArabiawillnotsweetenthislittlehand.O,O,O.”“Thequeen,mylord,isdead”“Out,out,briefcandle,Life’sbutawalkingshadow,apoorplayerThatstrutsandfretshishouruponthestageAndthenisheardnomore”(Macbethonthefutilityoflife)

(BirnamWood)

Onthebattlefield,Macbethstrikesthosearoundhimvigorously,insolentbecausenomanbornofwomancanharmhim.HekillsLordSiward’ssonanddisappearsinthefray.Summary:Act5,scene8MacduffemergesandsearchesthechaosfranticallyforMacbeth,whomhelongstokillpersonally.Hedivesagainintothebattle.Summary:Act5,scene9MalcolmandSiwardemergeandenterthecastle.Summary:Act5,scene10Elsewhereonthebattlefield,MacbethatlastencountersMacduff.Theyfight,andwhenMacbethinsiststhatheisinvinciblebecauseofthewitches’prophecy,MacdufftellsMacbeththathewasnotofwomanborn,butrather“fromhismother’swomb/Untimelyripped”,meaningthathewasbornbycaesarian.Theyexitfighting.Summary:Act5,scene11MalcolmandSiwardwalktogetherinthecastle,whichtheyhavenoweffectivelycaptured.RosstellsSiwardthathissonisdead.MacduffemergeswithMacbeth’sheadinhishandandproclaimsMalcolmKingofScotland.Malcolmdeclaresthatallhisthaneswillbemadeearls,accordingtotheEnglishsystemofpeerage.TheywillbethefirstsuchlordsinScottishhistory.CursingMacbethandhis“fiend-like”queen,MalcolmcallsallthosearoundhimhisfriendsandinvitesthemalltoseehimcrownedatScone.

“fromhismother’swomb/Untimelyripped”“YetIwilltrythelast.Beforemybody,Ithrowmywarlikeshield”(Macbeth’sfinalwordsbeforeheiskilled).

RevisionActivity:Step1:Numbertheeventsbelowinthecorrectorder.Step2:Copyouttheeventsintoeachrowontothestoryboardonthenextpage.Step3:Addanimagetogowitheachevent(thiscouldbeadrawingorasymbol)Step4:Addashortquotationfromyourtextorsheettogowitheach.EventsfromMacbeth–remembertonumberinthecorrectorder

� MacbethiskilledbyMacduff.Malcolmbecomesking.� LadyMacbethpersuadesMacbethtogothroughwiththemurder� MacbethbecomesKing.OrdersdeathofBanquo&Fleance.Banquokilled,Fleanceescapes.

� Macbethreturnstowitches,whotellhim‘nomanofwomanborn’shallharmhim

� LadyMacbethreceivesletteranddecidestohelphimkillKingDuncan� LadyMacbethsleepwalksandfeelsguilty� Macbethmeetsthewitchesforthefirsttimeandhearsprophecies� MacbethishauntedbyBanquo’sghost� MacbethkillsDuncan� Firstprophecycomestrue:hebecomesThaneofCawdor

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