Macbeth
Act 1
Plot summery
Background information
Poorer people stood in front of the stage, in the open - the rich sat and were covered.
It wasn't just for rich people - included servants.
Theater was really popular because there was no electronic entertainment.
Act 1
Duncan makes Macbeth thane of Cawdor. Macbeth wonder if the prophecy's will come true.
Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth, she persuades him.
Macbeth & Banquo meet them - tell Macbeth eh will be thane of Cawdor then king & Banquo's descendants will be king.
Duncan stays with them, Macbeth changes him mind, Lady Macbeth persuades him - they will frame the guards.
3 witches plan to meet Macbeth
Act 2 & 3
Ross & an old man discuss the strange things which happened since the murder - Macbeth crowned - no one supports him.
Macbeth is now king but worried about what the witches said about Banquo. He orders someone to kill Banquo and Fleance.
Macduff arrives and finds Duncan's body. Malcom & Donalbain leave Scotland which makes them look suspicious.
Banquo is killed but Fleance escaped. Macbeth hosts a banquet & sees Banquo's ghost - Decides to visit the witches.
Macbeth murders Duncan & puts the blood stained daggers on the servants.
Lennox and a lord suspect him - they say Macduff is getting an army to attack Macbeth and put Malcom on the throne.
Act 4
Act 5
Macduff has fled to England - Macbeth murders his wide and sons.
Macbeth demands to know if Banquo's children will rule Scotland - witches show Banquo's ghost and a line of kings who look like Banquo's descendants.
Each one makes a prophecy - first warns Macbeth about Macduff, second says no man born from a woman can harm him, third says he cant be beaten till Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill
Macduff proves his loyalty to Malcom and he revels that the English king has given him 10,000 soldier's to fight Macbeth with. Macduff finds out his family has been killed and vows revenge.
Macbeth visits the witches - they summon 3 apparitions.
Malcom tells the army to cut branches from the woods and hide behind them as they march towards the castle.
Macbeth prepares for battle and is told that Lady Macbeth has killed herself.
Macbeth hears about the army but isn't scared because of the witches predictions.
Macbeth and Macduff meet on the battle field. Macbeth is sure he will win, he finds out Macduff was born by caesarean - they fight and he kills Macbeth.
The Scottish lords plan to meet the English army at Birnam Wood and attack Macbeth.
Malcom is made King of Scotland.
Lady Macbeth goes mad, sleepwalks and washes invisible blood from her hands.
Themes & context
Ambition
Loyalty & betrayal
Kingship
Good & Evil
Reality & Appearances
Fate & Free Will
The Supernatural
Characters
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Duncan
Banquo
Macduffs
Malcom & Donalbain
The Witches
Other characters
Shakespeare's techniques
Structure of Macbeth
Mood & Atmosphere
Poetry in Shakespeare
Puns & wordplay
Imagery & Symbolism
Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5