Macbeth Plot Summary
Here is a brief plot summary of Macbeth:
King Duncan’s generals, Macbeth and Banquo, encounter three strange women on a bleak Scottish moorland on their way home from quelling a rebellion. The women prophesy that Macbeth will be given the title of Thane of Cawdor and then become King of Scotland, while Banquo’s heirs shall be kings. The generals want to hear more but the weird sisters disappear. Duncan creates Macbeth Thane of Cawdor in thanks for his success in the recent battles and then proposes to make a brief visit to Macbeth’s castle.
Lady Macbeth receives news from her husband of the prophecy and his new title and she vows to help him become king by any means she can. Macbeth’s return is followed almost at once by Duncan’s arrival. The Macbeths plot together and later that night, while all are sleeping and after his wife has given the guards drugged wine, Macbeth kills the King and his guards. Lady Macbeth leaves the bloody daggers beside the dead king. Macduff arrives and when the murder is discovered Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain flee, fearing for their lives, but they are nevertheless blamed for the murder.
Macbeth is elected King of Scotland, but is plagued by feelings of guilt and insecurity. He arranges for Banquo and his son, Fleance to be killed, but the boy escapes the murderers. At a celebratory banquet Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and disconcerts the courtiers with his strange manner. Lady Macbeth tries to calm him but is rejected.
Macbeth seeks out the witches and learns from them that he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to his castle, Dunsinane. They tell him that he need fear no-one born of woman, but also that the Scottish succession will come from Banquo’s son. Macbeth embarks on a reign of terror and many, including Macduff’s family are murdered, while Macduff himself has gone to join Malcolm at the court of the English king, Edward. Malcolm and Macduff decide to lead an army against Macbeth.
Macbeth feels safe in his remote castle at Dunsinane until he is told that Birnam Wood is moving towards him. The situation is that Malcolm’s army is carrying branches from the forest as camouflage for their assault on the castle. Meanwhile Lady Macbeth, paralysed with guilt, walks in her sleep and gives away her secrets to a listening doctor. She kills herself as the final battle commences.
Macduff challenges Macbeth who, on learning his adversary is
the child of a Ceasarian birth, realises he is doomed. Macduff triumphs and brings the head of the traitor to Malcolm who declares peace and is crowned king.
18 Responses to Macbeth Plot Summary
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This helped me alot with an assignment I had to do!!!!
i had to do a assinment in middle school and this helped alot i think
Thanks helped alotttttt!
this helped my friends and i with out project
I like it…. It is one of my best play……..
that’s wat i call a real play…………..
Great summary.Thou website summarizes the best.
Glad you appreciate the play summaries…and thanks for picking up the typos – I’ve just fixed all the ones you pointed out!
wow very nice summary it had help me in my
HOLIDAY HOMEWORK THIS IS MY PROJECT
THANX TO
http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/play-summary/macbeth/
it is an entriqueing story that is based on selfishness, betrayal, murder and failure
i luv it !!!!ur website gives d best summaries ….I think its better then readin lengthy books…..thaxxxxxxx
My husband is a Duncan, the last one in the blood lineage in his family. This is very interesting to me. I am encouraging him to look up his ancestry.
it will help me alot in making my presentation on macbeth.
before i hate shakespeare stories but nw after reading macbeth story ,i changed my mind , i like to knw more stories on shakespeare ..thx a lot for posting this story..!
I couldn’t find any better site than this one for the summary of “THE STORY OF MACBETH”
Really it was nice to read. As the day after tomorrow. I am about to write exam. When i was studying i feel easy.literally in this paper. I w’ll score good mark. So that i convey to this blog a lots of Thanx.
omg! i find it so vague,, but right after researching macbeth movies, i find it so wonderful… its all about power, ….. harsh~!!!!!