Macbeth by William Shakespeare detailed summary and analysis

 

Act I Scene 1

Three witches are gathered in a desolated place in heavy storm and thunder and lightning. They agree to meet after the storm to greet Macbeth "upon the heath" before sunset.

The opening scene of a play is dramatically important in establishing a mood or atmosphere for the main action of the play.  The hostile weather, the "fog and filthy air", and the loathsome witches croaking out riddles create a world of darkness and foulness.

Act I Scene 2

Duncan, the King of Scotland, receives reports from a bleeding captain and then from Ross of the battles fought against him by alliance of the rebel Macdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor, and King of Norway The reports stress the heroism of Macbeth, of Duncan's generals who killed Macdonwald and then, joined by Banquo, defeated the combined forces of Norway and Cawdor. Duncan orders the execution of Cawdor and conferment of his title on brave Macbeth.

The dramatic importance of this scene lies in the exaltation of Macbeth. Though Macbeth is yet to appear on the stage, he has by now already become the focus of the attention of the audience The tributes paid by the captain, Ross, and Duncan himself enhance the qualities of Macbeth and make the audience immensely curious to meet this mighty champion.

Act I Scene 3

The three Witches are awaiting Macbeth on his way from victory. When Macbeth, accompanied by Banquo, arrives, the Witches greet him as Thane of Glamis (his present title), Thane of Cawdor and "King hereafter", and then predict that Banquo will produce heirs who will become kings. They disappear before the arrival of Ross and Angus with the news that the King has conferred on Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor. Fascinated by this speedy proof of the Witches' anticipation, Macbeth is "rapt" and he begins to speculate to himself upon the prospect of becoming the king in future.

Act I Scene 4

In the royal palace, Duncan hears his son Malcolm relate how the treacherous but penitent Cawdor faced his execution with dignity. Macbeth and Banquo arrive and are warmly welcomed by the king. Duncan designates Malcolm as heir to the throne. When Duncan announces his intention to visit Macbeth's castle at Inverness, Macbeth at once leaves for his castle to take this news to his wife and prepare a reception for the King. Macbeth considers Malcolm's appointment as prince to be an obstacle to his aspiration for kingship and proposes to act quickly.

The scene shows Duncan as an innocent and trusting person. He shows his sense of gratitude by addressing Macbeth as "worthiest cousin", by promising to reward Banquo generously, and by honouring Macbeth with a visit to his castle.

Act I Scene 5

In the Inverness castle, Lady Macbeth, reading a letter from Macbeth which describes his meeting with the Witches, immediately realizes that she must encourage her husband "to catch the nearest way" to seize the throne. When a messenger arrives to inform her of Duncan's proposed visit to their castle, she prepares her mind for the murder of the King. Duncan arrives, and after a brief conversation, Macbeth and his wife mutually decide on the murder.

In this scene lady Macbeth reveals her real character, she has no hesitation and no regard for the consequences. She is ruthless, greedy and devoid of conscience.

 

Act 1 Scene 6

Duncan, his two sons, Banquo, and other attendant lords arrive at Macbeth's castle. They are graciously welcomed by Lady Macbeth.

Act 1 Scene 7

Macbeth has slipped out of the supper-room to think over things, and decides not to commit an act of treachery against an innocent guest. When Lady Macbeth finds him, Macbeth tells her that they will not proceed further. With a series of appeals and reproaches, Lady Macbeth makes her husband reverse his decision. Macbeth agrees to murder Duncan in a way that will make the King's guards appear guilty of the murder.

Act II Scene 1

Banquo and his son Fleance are preparing to retire for the night. Banquo admits that he feels uneasy over the thought of the witches' prophesies, but when Macbeth joins them he talks to him politely and conveys to him Duncan's compliments. He also passes on to him a diamond, a gift for Lady Macbeth. Macbeth urges Banquo to side with him in future.

Act II Scene 2

Lady Macbeth has drugged Duncan's guards and now, stimulated by wine, she awaits the return of her husband from the scene of murder. Macbeth joins her and tells her that he has murdered the King. He seems almost out of his mind, and is overwhelmed by a sense of guilt for having committed the crime. His wife scolds him for this and asks him to take the dagger back to the scene of his crime and stains the sleeping guards with blood. Macbeth, in his nervousness, cannot do so, and as such, his wife has to undertake this task. The sound of knocking is heard and Macbeth is led out by his wife to wash off the blood and change into his dressing gown.

The scene contains the climax of the first movement of the play. The central incident of the play, namely Duncan's murder, takes place in this scene. The atmosphere of terror is intensified by strange sounds heard, or imagined, by Macbeth's overworked imagination, and finally by the knocking at the gate.

Act II Scene 3

As the knocking grows more insistent, the drunken Porter organises himself to open the gate and let Macduff and Lenox enter Macbeth joins them and engages in a conversation with Lenox while Macduff goes in to awaken Duncan. Macduff returns with the news of the murder, and Macbeth, accompanied by Lenox, proceeds to investigate Macbeth pretends an air of grief and anger, and kills the King's guards. Lady Macbeth, in order to put up a show of grief, pretends to faint. Malcolm and Donalbain fearing that they also may get killed, decide to run away, Malcolm to England and his younger brother to Ireland.

Act II Scene 4

Outside Inverness, Rosse discusses with an old man the confusion in the murder of Duncan. Macduff enters and reports that it has been accepted that the two guards killed Duncan on the orders of Malcolm and Donalbain who have run away. He also says that, Macbeth has gone to be crowned.

Act III Scene 1

Banquo, reflecting upon the fulfilment of the Witches' prophecies for Macbeth, suspects foul play. He also remembers the prophecies for his own descendants. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, now arrayed as king and queen arrive. Macbeth makes some enquiry about Banquo's movements before Banquo leaves to go riding. Macbeth, who fears Banquo for his integrity and noble qualities, arranges for his murder and the murder of Fleance by two murderers whose minds he poisons against Banquo.

Act III Scene 2

In another room in the royal palace, Lady Macbeth, aware of her husband's obsessive involvement with the murder of Duncan, tries to restore his cheerfulness. But Macbeth's thoughts remain fixed on Banquo. He drops hints to his wife of his devilish plan to execute Banquo.

Act III Scene 3

Macbeth sends a third murderer. He joins the first two. They kill Banquo but Fleance escapes in the darkness.

Act III Scene 4

As Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are welcoming their guests to the feast, one murderer comes to the door and reports to Macbeth the death of Banquo and the escape of Fleance. When Macbeth returns to the table, he finds Banquo's ghost occupying Macbeth's seat. The ghost remains unseen by others. Terrified Macbeth begins to talk to the ghost in words which make his part in Banquo's death more and more evident to the guests. Lady Macbeth takes hold of the situation first by trying to calm him down and then by bringing the feast to a hurried end. When they are left alone, Macbeth draws his wife's attention to Macduff's absence at the feast and tells her that he keeps paid informers in the households of all the lords. He informs Lady Macbeth that, he wants to visit and consult the Witches again, for now he has great faith in their prediction. He also says that he must strengthen himself for more murders, because now he has gone so far that there is no turning back for him.

 

Act III Scene 6

At Forres, Lenox, conversing with another Lord, tells him that all who have associated closely with Macbeth have suffered for it. His companion informs him that Macduff has gone to England to enlist the English King's support for Malcolm against Macbeth.

Act IV scene 1

The Witches prepare their hell-broth (black magic) and arrange their spell. Macbeth enters and demands that they answer his questions. At first, they warn Macbeth against Macduff. Secondly, tells him that none born of woman can do any harm to him.

As soon as the Witches disappear, Lenox arrives with the news of Macduff's flight to England. Macbeth decides to take revenge on Macduff's wife and children "and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line".

Act IV Scene 2

In Macduff's castle in Fife, Rosse tries to explain to Lady Macduff, why her husband has suddenly gone to England. She, however, fails to find any justification for Macduff's action. A messenger arrives and warns her to escape immediately, but before she can act, Macbeth's agents break in, kill her son, and chase Lady Macduff to slay her.

Act IV Scene 3

In England, Malcolm and Macduff discuss the horrors of Macbeth's despotic reign in Scotland. To test Macduff's political integrity and patriotism, Malcolm tells him that if he is ever made the king, he will prove far more tyrannical than Macbeth. Macduff, disappointed to find Malcolm unsuitable for the throne, prepares to leave him. Convinced of his honesty and patriotism, Malcolm accepts him and declares his intention to lead an attack on Macbeth. A messenger brings the news of the murder of Macduff's wife and children. Macduff is overcome with grief and Malcolm inspires him to avenge the murder like a man.

Act V Scene 1

In Dunsinane castle a doctor and Lady Macbeth's waiting gentlewoman are discussing Lady Macbeth's sleep walking. While they talk Lady Macbeth enters, carrying a candle. She begins to rub her hands as if washing them and unconsciously refers to the deaths of Duncan, Macduff's wife and Banquo. The doctor confesses that Lady Macbeth needs divine help more than a physician's. Now she suffers from complete mental breakdown. This scene is well known for several psychoanalytical interpretations.

Act V Scene 3

In his castle Macbeth, deserted by his former supporters, puts a desperate trust in the prophecies of the Witches and apparitions.

Act V Scene 4

The combined forces against Macbeth is ordered by Malcolm to cut boughs from the trees of Brinam Wood to use as camouflage (hidden) during their movement toward Dunsinane.

Act V Scene 5

In his castle in Dunsinane, Macbeth is preparing to face the attack. Seyton brings him the news of Lady Macbeth's death. Overwhelmed with grief and depressed by the futility of his achievements, Macbeth declares that life "is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing". A messenger arrives with the news that Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane. Macbeth can now foresee his approaching doom, but with a desperate courage he decides to die fighting.

Act V Scene 6, 7, 8 and 9

Outside Macbeth's castle Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff plan their attack. Malcolm gives battle-orders to his commanders. In another part of the battle-field, with his retreat cut off, Macbeth finds consolation in the prophecy that no one born of a woman can defeat him. Young Siward, son of the English general, arrives to challenge Macbeth and is slain in hand-to-hand combat. Macbeth departs and then Macduff comes in looking for his enemy. Malcolm and Siward announce the surrender of Dunsinane.

On the battlefield, Macbeth, now hopeless, decides not to have recourse to suicide. He meets Macduff and urges him to withdraw from fight. He boasts that, no man born of a woman can harm him. Macduff tells him that he was not "born", but was "from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd". Macduff asks him to surrender and prepare for the humiliation that will be heaped upon him. Macbeth, refusing to suffer such degradation, puts up a fight and is slain in the encounter.

Macduff brings in Macbeth's head and then Malcolm is hailed by all present as King of Scotland. Malcolm, promising reward to his followers, invites all of them to his coronation.