What is the plot summary of Macbeth?

A brave Scottish general named Macbeth receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia.

What are the major plot points in Macbeth?

Contents

• Three Witches predict great things for Macbeth.
• Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill King Duncan to get the throne.
• Macbeth kills King Duncan and becomes King of Scotland.
• Macbeth has his best friend, Banquo, murdered.
• Macbeth begins to think that he’s invincible.
• Lady Macbeth commits suicide.

What happens to Macbeth?

On their way to attack Macbeth’s castle they cut down branches from the trees in Birnam Wood to use as camouflage. When the wood moves, one of the witches’ prophecies come true. Macduff reveals that he was born by a caesarean birth and kills Macbeth, fulfilling the final prophecy.

What happens at the beginning of Macbeth?

The play begins with the brief appearance of a trio of witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonwald, and one from Norway.

Why is Macbeth cursed?

According to folklore, Macbeth was cursed from the beginning. A coven of witches objected to Shakespeare using real incantations, so they put a curse on the play. Legend has it the play’s first performance (around 1606) was riddled with disaster. The play hasn’t had much luck since.

What Macbeth wanted to hear?

The witches hail Macbeth first by his title Thane of Glamis, then as Thane of Cawdor and finally as king. They then prophesy that Banquo’s children will become kings. Macbeth demands to know more but the witches vanish.

What are two main themes in Macbeth?

Key themes of Shakespeare’s Macbeth include: good versus evil, the dangers of ambition, the influence of supernatural forces, the contrast between appearance and reality, loyalty and guilt. Discussion of the themes from Macbeth including ambition and power, cruelty and masculinity, kingship and tyranny.

Is violence a theme in Macbeth?

Violence is an integral theme in Macbeth – indeed, the word ‘blood’ occurs forty-two times throughout the play. The action of the play is a cyclical one; a traitor to the crown is vanquished, those who violate the social codes of rule die violently, and a benevolent king is restored.

What is the basic plot of Macbeth?

THE BASIC IDEA: Macbeth tells the story of a nobleman (Macbeth), who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become King of Scotland one day. This might have sparked his appetite for power, for he subsequently murders the king and rules the kingdom with malice.

What is the storyline of Macbeth?

Macbeth is a tragedy that tells the story of a soldier whose overriding ambition and thirst for power cause him to abandon his morals and bring about the near destruction of the kingdom he seeks to rule.

Who are the main characters in Macbeth?

Macbeth – Play by William Shakespeare Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare written sometime between 1603-1606, is a tragic story of death and deceit amongst the noblemen of Scotland. The two main characters are Macbeth, Thane of Glamis and his wife Lady Macbeth.

What is the summary of the play Macbeth?

Macbeth Summary. The play Macbeth, as the name suggests, is chiefly about the title character. Macbeth is a thane of Scotland , a noble under King Duncan . When the play opens, he has just helped Duncan defeat a troublesome group of rebels. Hailing Macbeth as a hero, Duncan decides to give Macbeth the title thane of Cawdor as a reward.