Macbeth - William Shakespeare
General info:
- First published 1612
- Play
- Is about nobleman Macbeth in Scotland, who receives a prophecy that he should be
king, so he ,Ruders the current king and has to live with the consequences,
especially mentally
Summary
- Macbeth and Banquo find three witches, who prophecise that Macbeth would be King
and Banquos children would be kings, the two want to hear more but the witches
disappear
- King Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, which supports the prophecy
- The king decides to visit Macbeth‘s castle
- Lady Macbeth hears of the title and prophecy and wants to help him become king by
whatever means
- At the castle, Lady Macbeth drugs the guards, so Macbeth can enter true king‘s
chambers and kill him -> regrets it immediately, his wife reassures him
- They leave the dagger by the kings bed just before Macduff, another nobleman,
appears
- Macbeth kills the guards in a show of rage when Macduff discovers the murder
- Duncan’s sons flee, but are blamed for the murder
- Macbeth becomes king but is plagued by his guilt
- Arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to be killed, but Fleance escapes
- At his state banquet Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and responds mad, so Lady
Macbeth has to dismiss the court
- Macbeth talks to the witches again, who tell him that he is safe until Birnam Wood
marches into battle against him and he doesn’t need to fear anyone born of woman
-> false sense of security
- Macbeth murders Macduff's family, Macduff seeks out Duncan (one of the Kings
sons) -> persuades him to lead an army against macbeth
- Macbeth finds out that Birnam Wood is moving towards him -> soldiers hidden
behind branches
- Lady Macbeth sleep-walks and tells her secrets to the doctor and commits suicide
- Macduff challenges Macbeth to a battle, Macbeth learns that Macduff was born with a
cesarean birth (loophole) -> submits to his enemy
- Malcolm is crowned king
General info:
- First published 1612
- Play
- Is about nobleman Macbeth in Scotland, who receives a prophecy that he should be
king, so he ,Ruders the current king and has to live with the consequences,
especially mentally
Summary
- Macbeth and Banquo find three witches, who prophecise that Macbeth would be King
and Banquos children would be kings, the two want to hear more but the witches
disappear
- King Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, which supports the prophecy
- The king decides to visit Macbeth‘s castle
- Lady Macbeth hears of the title and prophecy and wants to help him become king by
whatever means
- At the castle, Lady Macbeth drugs the guards, so Macbeth can enter true king‘s
chambers and kill him -> regrets it immediately, his wife reassures him
- They leave the dagger by the kings bed just before Macduff, another nobleman,
appears
- Macbeth kills the guards in a show of rage when Macduff discovers the murder
- Duncan’s sons flee, but are blamed for the murder
- Macbeth becomes king but is plagued by his guilt
- Arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to be killed, but Fleance escapes
- At his state banquet Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and responds mad, so Lady
Macbeth has to dismiss the court
- Macbeth talks to the witches again, who tell him that he is safe until Birnam Wood
marches into battle against him and he doesn’t need to fear anyone born of woman
-> false sense of security
- Macbeth murders Macduff's family, Macduff seeks out Duncan (one of the Kings
sons) -> persuades him to lead an army against macbeth
- Macbeth finds out that Birnam Wood is moving towards him -> soldiers hidden
behind branches
- Lady Macbeth sleep-walks and tells her secrets to the doctor and commits suicide
- Macduff challenges Macbeth to a battle, Macbeth learns that Macduff was born with a
cesarean birth (loophole) -> submits to his enemy
- Malcolm is crowned king
