Overview
This lecture provides a full summary of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth," covering the main plot, key characters, and crucial events from Act 1 to Act 5.
Act 1: The Prophecy and Ambition
- The three witches meet in stormy weather, introducing the theme of evil and deception ("fair is foul and foul is fair").
- Macbeth is introduced as a brave Scottish general who helps defeat the Norwegian army.
- The witches prophesy Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King, sparking his ambition.
- Banquo, Macbeth's friend, is told his children will be kings, though he will not.
- Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor, making the witches' first prophecy come true.
- Lady Macbeth, after reading Macbeth's letter, resolves to push him towards murdering King Duncan.
- Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to act deceitfully and challenges his masculinity to persuade him to kill Duncan.
Act 2: The Murder of King Duncan
- Macbeth wrestles with his conscience and hallucinates a bloody dagger before killing King Duncan.
- Lady Macbeth helps cover up the murder and both pretend to be shocked at the king’s death.
- Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee Scotland, fearing for their lives, making Macbeth king by default.
Act 3: Guilt and Paranoia
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are crowned King and Queen, but Banquo suspects Macbeth’s guilt.
- Macbeth arranges for Banquo’s murder; Banquo is killed but his son Fleance escapes.
- Macbeth is haunted by Banquo’s ghost at a royal banquet, alarming his guests and increasing suspicions.
Act 4: Further Prophecies and Downfall
- Macbeth seeks new prophecies from the witches; they tell him to fear Macduff, that no man born of woman will harm him, and he is safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane.
- Feeling invincible, Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s family.
- Malcolm and Macduff gather an army in England to reclaim the throne from Macbeth.
Act 5: Retribution and Restoration
- Lady Macbeth, plagued by guilt, sleepwalks and obsessively washes her hands, then dies (likely by suicide).
- Malcolm’s army advances on Macbeth’s castle, camouflaged with Birnam Wood branches.
- Macduff reveals he was "from his mother’s womb untimely ripped," fulfilling the prophecy and killing Macbeth.
- Malcolm is crowned king, restoring the rightful order.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Pathetic Fallacy — attribution of human emotions to nature, often to reflect the mood or themes.
- Prophecy — a prediction of future events, central to the witches’ role.
- Thane — a Scottish noble title.
- Hallucination — seeing or experiencing something that isn’t real (Macbeth’s vision of the dagger).
- Regicide — the act of killing a king.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Act 1–5 summaries for understanding of plot and character development.
- Make note cards for key characters and prophecies.
- Prepare quotations, such as "fair is foul and foul is fair" and "life’s but a walking shadow," for exam use.