SYNOPSIS IN A MINUTE

Spurred on by the witches’ prophecies and an ambitious wife, Macbeth removes all in his path as he reaches for the heights of power. He finds only a hollow victory and death.


FULL SYNOPSIS


ACT I

King Duncan’s generals, Macbeth and Banquo, encounter witches who prophesize that Macbeth will be made Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, while Banquo will be the father of kings. Moments after the witches have vanished, messengers from Duncan arrive and proclaim that Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor. The generals are mystified at the swift fulfillment of the first part of the prophecy. After the men have departed, the witches agree to reassemble at the first storm to fulfill the second prophecy and to deliver an oracle to Macbeth, who will, they know, consult them again.

Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband describing the eerie events. She wishes for her husband’s swift return so that she may aid him in ascending to the throne. A servant informs Lady Macbeth that the King, accompanied by Macbeth, will arrive that night. She then invokes the spirits of darkness to help her accomplish Duncan’s murder. Macbeth joins his wife, and she reveals her plan which must be carried out before the King’s departure in the morning. Alone, Macbeth contemplates the deed that lies before him. With a bloody dagger in his hand, he encounters Lady Macbeth and tells her of Duncan’s death. She urges him to smear the sleeping guards with blood so they will be accused of the murder. He refuses, and she takes the dagger and fulfills the task herself. Macduff and Banquo come to awaken the king to continue his journey. When the murder is discovered, Macbeth and his wife feign horror as they join Duncan’s followers in their cries for vengeance.

ACT II

Malcolm, Duncan’s son, has fled to England, and his flight confirms the court’s suspicion that he is guilty of his father’s death. This leaves the throne vacant for Macbeth. He recalls the prophecy that Banquo’s sons shall be kings and confides in Lady Macbeth his plan to murder Banquo and his only son. When Macbeth has gone, Lady Macbeth easily reconciles herself for the necessity of more bloodshed and anticipates the thrill of power when all threats to Macbeth’s position have been removed.

Accompanied by his son during the evening, Banquo is filled with foreboding. He is killed by Macbeth’s assassins, but his son escapes.

Lady Macbeth and her husband greet their guests at a banquet. One of the assassins privately reports to Macbeth the outcome of their mission. Macbeth is about to take his place at the table when Banquo’s ghost appears – to the guilty man alone. Macbeth’s horror amazes his guests and casts a pall on the festivities. Lady Macbeth vainly attempts to restore a light-hearted mood.

INTERMISSION

ACT III

Macbeth forces the witches to produce apparitions that pronounce the triple oracle: "Beware Macduff;” “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth;” “Macbeth will never be vanquished till Birnam Wood moves against him.” Lady Macbeth joins Macbeth, and together they plot to destroy their enemies.

ACT IV

Scottish refugees lament the sad fate of their country since Duncan’s death. Macduff mourns his wife and children, murdered by Macbeth’s assassins. Malcolm arrives with English soldiers as reinforcements to march against Macbeth. He orders the soldiers to cut boughs from the trees of nearby Birnam Wood to conceal their numbers. The army sets out.

A doctor and lady-in-waiting keep a vigil to see if their queen, whose reason has been affected by the recent bloody events, will again walk in her sleep. She soon does; in her mind, she relives the crimes she has committed. 

Macbeth is fearless at the prospect of battling his enemies. He regrets only that his chosen course of action has deprived him of the honor, respect, and love that might otherwise have brightened his declining years. His soldiers enter to inform him that Birnam Wood is moving toward the church. He meets death at the hands of Macduff, who was torn prematurely from a dying mother and hence does not disprove the oracle that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” The victorious army hails Malcolm as king.

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