All Hail Macbeth - Sample of resource

A Brief Plot: Scene by Scene

Act 1: Scenes 1 – 7

Scene 1. The Witches meet on the heath.

Three unnamed Witches appear and decided that they will meet Macbeth once the battle has finished. The scene ends with the Witches chanting what sounds like a spell.

Scene 2. Two battles are reported to King Duncan.

King Duncan is given news from the battlefield, where his forces are fighting rebels. He is told that Macbeth has killed a rebel Macdonwald & Banquo assisted in this matter. A Scottish nobleman, Ross, informs the King that the Thane of Cawdor has been defeated and orders Cawdor’s execution. Macbeth is given the title of Thane of Cawdor for bravery.

Scene 3. Macbeth and Banquo meet the Witches.

The three weird witches await the arrival of Macbeth & Banquo. Upon their arrival the witches speak to them and tell their prophecies:

• Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor
• Macbeth will become King
• Banquo will be father of future kings.

The witches disappear and two lords meet Macbeth and Banquo on their return journey. They tell Macbeth he is now Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is shocked at the news.

Scene 4. King Duncan greets Macbeth.

This scene takes place at the Royal Palace where King Duncan is told about the death of the traitor, Cawdor. Then Macbeth and Banquo arrive and the King welcomes then warmly.

Duncan gives his son Malcolm, the title, Prince of Cumberland and names him heir. The King announces he will come to stay at Macbeth’s Castle. Macbeth is unhappy that Malcolm has been made heir and starts to plot the King’s downfall.

Scene 5. Lady Macbeth reads the letter.

Lady Macbeth receives a letter from her husband telling her of the prophecies from the witches and that King Duncan will be visiting the castle for one night. Lady Macbeth immediately starts plotting the King’s death.

Scene 6. King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s Castle.

King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and is welcomed by Lady Macbeth who speaks of loyalty and service.

Scene 7. Lady Macbeth reveals the plot.

Macbeth starts to have doubts about the murder & tells Lady Macbeth he can’t go through with it, she convinces him by questioning his manhood. She reveals how she will make King Duncan’s guards drunk and then make it appear they were guilty of the crime.

Act 2: Scenes 1 – 4

Scene 1. Macbeth visits Banquo then enters King Duncan’s chamber.

The scene starts after midnight in Macbeth’s castle. Banquo admits to his son Fleance that he cannot sleep and feels uneasy.

Macbeth appears, and Banquo tells him that he has had dreams about the Witches. Macbeth offers his friend power and reward if he sides with him in the future.

Scene 2. Macbeth returns from the Kings chamber.

Lady Macbeth awaits Macbeth’s return. He appears in a dreadful state carrying the daggers, unable to think about what he has done. Lady Macbeth takes the daggers and goes to Duncan’s room to smear the guards with the blood. She returns, her hands now bloody too.

Scene 3. The murder is discovered.

Early the next day, the porter opens the gate to Macduff and Lennox, and jokes with them. Macbeth appears and Macduff goes to wake the King. Macduff returns in apparent shock, to tell everyone about the murder.

Lady Macbeth appears and then the King’s two sons, Malcolm & Donaldbain enter and are also told the news. Macbeth reappears and admits he has killed the servants in his anger. Malcolm and Donaldbain flee, fearing that they too may die.

Scene 4. Ross and Old Man discuss the murder.

Outside Macbeth’s castle, Ross and an Old man speak together. They mention ‘unnatural’ happenings, the wild behaviour of Duncan’s horses, and how the day seems like night it is so dark.

Macduff appears and tells them that the King’s sons have fled. They are now suspected of the murder, so Macbeth has been named as the new King. He has gone to Scone to be crowned. Macduff is not going, but is returning home.

Act 3: Scenes 1 – 6

Scene 1. Macbeth orders Banquo’s murder.

Banquo reveals his suspicious about Macbeth in a soliloquy. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the other lords appear, & ask Banquo to be present at the banquet that evening. Macbeth speaks of the lies Duncan’s sons are telling in England.

Left alone, Macbeth tells the audience why he must kill Banquo, angry that it is Banquo’s children who will eventually be kings of Scotland (according to the witches.) He speaks to the Murderers and persuades them to kill Banquo and his son Fleance.

Scene 2. The Macbeths discuss their situation.

Macbeth & Lady Macbeth meet. Macbeth seems to be thinking too much about what has happened and appears to regret his actions – it hasn’t brought the peace he desired. Lady Macbeth says he must hide his feelings, and he agrees. He then reveals his concerns about Banquo and Fleance, but does not tell her what is planned, just that they are taken care of.

Scene 3. The Banquo is murdered.

A mysterious third murderer appears who seems to know a good deal about Banquo’s movements. In an isolated place the murderers ambush Banquo and Fleance his son. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes.

Scene 4. The Banquet and the ghost.

Macbeth is informed that Banquo is murdered but that his son escaped. Macbeth has to continue with the proceedings of the banquet, but as he goes to sit in his place he finds Banquo’s ghost covered in blood sitting there. Macbeth loses his calm & shouts at the ghost.

Lady Macbeth tells everyone his behaviour is the result of a childhood illness. Macbeth eventually regains control only for the ghost to reappear. He responds by shouting violently at the ghost, which finally disappears. The evening is ruined and Lady Macbeth is forced to ask everyone to leave.

Scene 5. Hecate and the three Witches meet.

Hecate meets the three Witches on a heath. She tells them off for meeting with Macbeth without her being there. Then she sends them away having arranged that she and they will meet Macbeth the following morning.

Scene 6. Lennox reflects and summarises.

At the palace, Lennox speaks with another lord about the murderous events. He mentions that it has been noticed that Macduff is missing from the banquet. He informs the lord that Duncan’s son Malcolm is staying in England and Macduff has gone to seek him for support in restoring the rightful heir to the throne.

Act 4: Scenes 1 – 3

Scene 1. Macbeth meets the Witches, again.

The Witches wait for Macbeth, chanting spells and creating a disgusting brew. Hecate, Queen of the witches, appears and praises their efforts. Macbeth arrives and a series of 3 ghosts appear:

• A head wearing armour, tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff.
• A bloody child tells Macbeth that none of woman born can harm him.
• A child crowned, with a tree in his hand tell Macbeth that he has nothing to fear until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane (Macbeth’s castle.)

Macbeth is then shown a vision of eight kings, with Banquo’s ghost following. Hecate and the Witches vanish after dances and music.

Lennox appears and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth decides there and then to murder Macduff’s family.

Scene 2. The murders of Macduff’s wife and son.

At Macduff’s castle, Ross tells Macduff’s wife that her husband has left for England. She cannot come to terms with this, despite Ross’ kind words telling her that Macduff is a decent and wise man. Ross leaves. Lady Macduff and her son talk for a while before a messenger arrives to warn Lady Macduff that she is in danger. But it is too late. The messenger leaves and the murderer’s enter. They kill her son, and then pursue her as she runs off.

Scene 3. Macduff meets Malcolm in England.

Macduff visits Malcolm to persuade him to return to Scotland and remove Macbeth but Malcolm is suspicious and needs to test out whether Macduff really is as decent and loyal as he appears. Malcolm pretends not to be worthy of the throne of Scotland. When he sees Macduff’s reaction to this, he tells him the truth: that an English army of ten thousand men, led by Siward, has already set off to Scotland.

Ross arrives with reports of the state of Scotland and the murder of Macduff’s wife and Children. Macduff is devastated, but Malcolm persuades him to turn his anger on Macbeth.

Act 5: Scenes 1 – 9

Scene 1. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks.

At Macbeth’s castle a Doctor & a Gentlewoman watch Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks during the night. Lady Macbeth constantly rubs her hands. Doctor concludes she needs divine help rather than medical.

Scene 2. The Scottish Lords bring news.

The Scottish Thanes decide to join the English forces led by Malcolm, by Birnam Wood.

Scene 3. Macbeth prepares for battle.

Fear grips those left in Macbeth’s castle, but Macbeth knows he cannot be harmed by anyone ‘born of woman’ or until ‘Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane’. Both of which he considers impossible.

He receives news of Lady Macbeth’s condition from the Doctor. He calls for his armour.

Scene 4. Macbeth’s enemies at Birnam Wood.

Malcolm & several Scottish lords are on the march. Malcolm orders the soldiers to cut down boughs from the trees in order to disguise themselves.

It is reported that few remain to support Macbeth except those forced to stay.

Scene 5. Macbeth hears of Lady Macbeth’s death.

He prepares himself for battle. His preparations are interrupted as he is told of Lady Macbeth’s death.

A messenger appears and reports that Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane. Macbeth cannot believe it and is now ready to face death.

Scene 6. Malcolm’s forces in front of Dunsinane Castle.

The English army & Malcolm’s forces put down the trees and show their full power. Malcolm gives the battle orders and Macduff promises ‘blood & death.’

Scene 7. Macbeth fights and kills Siward son.

One of the Scottish Lords, Siward has broken through the castle defences with his army. Macbeth face Siward’s son. But remembering the Witches’ prophecy he fears no child, and he kills Young Siward.

Scene 8. Macduff kills Macbeth.

Macbeth realises it futile but will not die by his own sword. Macduff appears and challenges him. Macbeth tells Macduff that he cannot be harmed by ‘one of woman born’. Macduff reveals he was not born in the usual way but was ‘from his mother’s womb untimely ripped’ (Caesarean section.) Macduff kills Macbeth.

Scene 9. Peace is restored.

Macduff enters the stage with Macbeth’s severed head. Malcolm enters informs those present Lady Macbeth committed suicide. Peace is restored and Malcolm invites everyone to see him crowned in Scone.