Macbeth Plot Summary by Act
Act 1
The play opens with the Weird Sisters (witches) in a storm.
Macbeth and Banquo lead the Scottish army to victory in a battle against rebel
forces.
The witches deliver prophecies: Macbeth will become king, Banquo’s descendants
will be kings.
Macbeth is intrigued by the prophecy, while Banquo is cautious.
King Duncan names his son, Malcolm, as the heir to the throne, which frustrates
Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth receives Macbeth’s letter detailing the witches’ prophecy. She
immediately begins plotting Duncan’s murder.
Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle, where Lady Macbeth begins manipulating her
husband to commit the murder.
Key idea: Macbeth’s ambition is ignited by the witches, and Lady Macbeth’s influence
pushes him toward murder.
Act 2
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before him, leading him to Duncan’s chamber.
He murders Duncan in his sleep, and Lady Macbeth plants the bloody daggers on the
guards.
Macduff discovers Duncan’s body the next morning.
Macbeth kills the guards in a fit of rage, claiming it is to avenge Duncan’s murder.
Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee the castle (Malcolm to England and
Donalbain to Ireland), which makes them appear guilty.
Macbeth is crowned king of Scotland.
Key idea: Macbeth’s ambition leads him to murder, and the consequences of his actions
immediately begin to unfold.
Act 1
The play opens with the Weird Sisters (witches) in a storm.
Macbeth and Banquo lead the Scottish army to victory in a battle against rebel
forces.
The witches deliver prophecies: Macbeth will become king, Banquo’s descendants
will be kings.
Macbeth is intrigued by the prophecy, while Banquo is cautious.
King Duncan names his son, Malcolm, as the heir to the throne, which frustrates
Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth receives Macbeth’s letter detailing the witches’ prophecy. She
immediately begins plotting Duncan’s murder.
Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle, where Lady Macbeth begins manipulating her
husband to commit the murder.
Key idea: Macbeth’s ambition is ignited by the witches, and Lady Macbeth’s influence
pushes him toward murder.
Act 2
Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before him, leading him to Duncan’s chamber.
He murders Duncan in his sleep, and Lady Macbeth plants the bloody daggers on the
guards.
Macduff discovers Duncan’s body the next morning.
Macbeth kills the guards in a fit of rage, claiming it is to avenge Duncan’s murder.
Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee the castle (Malcolm to England and
Donalbain to Ireland), which makes them appear guilty.
Macbeth is crowned king of Scotland.
Key idea: Macbeth’s ambition leads him to murder, and the consequences of his actions
immediately begin to unfold.
