The Tragedy of Macbeth

The Prophecy & The Plot

• Scene 1: The Witches plan their meeting.
• Scene 2: Duncan hears of the victory and names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor.
• Scene 3: The Witches prophesy royalty for Macbeth and Banquo.
• Scene 4: Duncan names Malcolm his heir, blocking Macbeth's path.
• Scene 5: Lady Macbeth reads the letter and resolves to kill the King.
• Scene 6: Duncan arrives at Inverness castle.
• Scene 7: Macbeth hesitates, but Lady Macbeth questions his manhood.

The Murder of Duncan

• Scene 1: Macbeth hallucinates a bloody dagger leading him to the King.
• Scene 2: The murder is committed; Macbeth murders sleep.
• Scene 3: The Porter provides comic relief; the body is discovered.
• Scene 4: Ross and an Old Man discuss unnatural omens; Macduff goes home.

Banquo's Ghost & The Banquet

• Scene 1: Banquo suspects Macbeth; Macbeth hires murderers.
• Scene 2: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth suffer from restless minds.
• Scene 3: Banquo is murdered, but Fleance escapes.
• Scene 4: The Banquet; Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth.
• Scene 5: Hecate scolds the Witches.
• Scene 6: Lennox and a Lord discuss the suffering of Scotland.

The Apparitions & The Slaughter of the Innocents

• Scene 1: The Witches show Macbeth apparitions; he plans to kill Macduff's family.
• Scene 2: Lady Macduff and her son are murdered by Macbeth's men.
• Scene 3: Malcolm tests Macduff; the news of the slaughter arrives.

The Siege of Dunsinane

• Scene 1: Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, washing invisible blood from her hands.
• Scene 2: The Scottish lords march to join Malcolm.
• Scene 3: Macbeth arms himself at Dunsinane, defiant but weary.
• Scene 4: Malcolm's army cuts down boughs from Birnam Wood.
• Scene 5: Lady Macbeth dies; Macbeth speaks "Tomorrow, and tomorrow...".
• Scene 6: The army drops the boughs and attacks.
• Scene 7: Macbeth kills Young Siward.
• Scene 8: Macduff confronts Macbeth; Macbeth realizes the prophecy was a trap.
• Scene 9: Macbeth is slain; Malcolm is hailed King of Scotland.