Use this blog post to remind yourselves about plot for Macbeth with a few handy quotations to memorise and analyse.

ACT ONE:

PLOT 1

  • Macbeth is a brave Scottish solider.
  • He meets witches who predict that he will be Thane of Cawdor and then King.
  • King Duncan rewards Macbeth for his loyalty and makes him a Thane of Cawdor.
  • Macbeth’s wife is excited about the predictions but worries that Macbeth is weak.
  • Macbeth doubts killing the King because of his loyalty.
  • Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that he should do the deed.

QUOTE 1

ACT TWO

PLOT 2

  • Macbeth sees a floating dagger which leads him to kill Duncan.
  • Lady Macbeth and Macbeth meet after the murder, both a bit scared but Macbeth more so.
  • The weather and natural elements go into disruption as a result of the King’s murder.
  • Macbeth kills to guards to make it look like they killed Duncan.
  • Duncan’s sons flee because they are scared they will be killed next.

quote 2

ACT THREE:

PLOT 3

  • Macbeth is crowned king.
  • Macbeth arranges for Banquo and his son to be killed.
  • Macbeth has a banquet for all the other lords, but behaves strangely because he sees the ghost of Banquo.
  • Some lords at the party become suspicious of Macbeth and flee to England.
  • Macbeth grows in power while lady Macbeth becomes more guilty.
  • Macbeth wants to visit the witches again.

quote 3

ACT FOUR:

PLOT 4

  • Macbeth visits the witches who give him three new prophecies:

1 – he can’t be harmed until the forrest walks to his castle.

2 – no man of woman born can harm him.

3 – he should beware Lord Macduff.

  • Macbeth orders the execution of Macduff’s family.
  • Macduff and Malcom (Duncan’s eldest son) arrange an army to defeat Macbeth.

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ACT FIVE:

PLOT 5

  • Lady Macbeth has gone mad with guilt and sleep walks constantly.
  • She ends up dying, but Macbeth doesn’t really react to this.
  • Malcolm’s army approaches the castle hiding behind tree branches.
  • Macduff and Macbeth battle – Macbeth learns that Macduff was born my caesarean section.
  • Macbeth is killed and Malcolm sits on the throne as the true king.

quotes 5