Background to Act I Act I introduces the audience to Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, who at

the beginning of the Act appears to be a national hero. He has had a major role in putting down a rebellion by some of the other Scottish thanes who have been aided by Norway. The King is extremely pleased with Macbeth and promotes him to the new position of the Thane of Cawdor since the last Thane of Cawdor betrayed the King by leading the rebellion. At the height of his career, having the respect of king and country, Macbeth, who has great ambition, begins an internal war over whether he should kill the King to try to become king. After three witches greet him with the title of king and his wife manipulates and persuades him, Macbeth sacrifices his moral self by agreeing to kill the King, but in his heart he knows he is doing the wrong thing.

Scene i The three witches prepare to meet with Macbeth when the battles are

done raging. Notice how they seem to be able to see into the future and how they twist language, speaking in riddles.

Scene ii King Duncan meets with several lords and a bleeding captain who is

fresh from battle and reporting what he has seen. He tells of Macbeth’s great victories that day. Macbeth has killed the traitor Macdonwald and helped to capture the Thane of Cawdor. Duncan is well-pleased with Macbeth, giving him his new title of Thane of Cawdor, and with Banquo.

Scene iii The three witches wait for Macbeth upon the heath, sharing stories of

how they have spent their day. While the Second Witch has been killing pigs for fun, the First Witch has had an encounter with a sailor’s wife who was eating chestnuts and refused to share. The First Witch has decided to put a curse on the woman’s husband, who is out to sea, by creating storms that will toss his ship every night so that he cannot sleep. Watch for how sleep plays an important role in the play.

When Macbeth and Banquo ride up, they are surprised to see the witches, who have news to share with each of the men. They greet Macbeth with his past title, the Thane of Glamis, his present title, The Thane of Cawdor, a title even he does not know he has, and his future title of King. Although they say nothing else to Macbeth, he is startled by what they have said and seems to be under a spell or in a daze. Banquo, who keeps his wits about him, also receives news but it comes in paradoxes. It does seem, however, that Banquo will be the father of kings though he himself will not be king. The witches disappear when Macbeth demands to know more.

Ross and Angus appear and greet Macbeth with his new title, the Thane of Cawdor, which seems to confirm that the witches do have knowledge of the future. While Banquo wonders if the devil speaks the truth, showing that he understands the witches are just the devil’s

messengers and not to be trusted, Macbeth wonders what lies ahead for him and asks Banquo what he thinks it all means. Banquo clearly tells Macbeth not to trust the witches. They have tried to lure the men into their spell with some tidbits of truth, but if Macbeth trusts them, they will betray him later on in the worst way. Macbeth, more confused than ever, thinks out loud to himself (an aside), wondering how he should interpret the witches’ prophecies. If they are evil, as Banquo suggests, why did something good happen, like his becoming the Thane of Cawdor? If they are good, why does it make Macbeth’s hair stand on end and his heart pound. Here is the first time the audience becomes aware that Macbeth has thought of killing Duncan before this day. Macbeth admits to himself that the murder of Duncan has only been horrible imaginings until now, and he is frightened at the thought that he could actually kill the King. He does not seem to know what is real and what is illusion at this point, but his hope is that fate will just make him king without his having to murder Duncan.

Scene iv Macbeth and Banquo arrive at Forres, the King’s palace, where

Duncan greets them with high praise. The audience, having dramatic irony since they know that Macbeth is considering killing the King, feels bad for Duncan, who seems to love Macbeth as a son, and is unsure what to think about Macbeth, who has fought so bravely for Duncan and seems to respect him yet is entertaining thoughts of murder! Duncan announces that his son Malcom will the new Prince of Cumberland, making him next in line for the throne. If Duncan is killed, Macbeth knows that something will have to be done about Malcom as well for Macbeth to reach the throne. Macbeth calls on the stars to hide their fires so that no light will be shed on his black and deep desires to be king. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth often call on darkness to cover their evil deeds. Duncan announces that everyone will travel to Macbeth’s castle, Inverness, to celebrate Macbeth’s new promotion.

Scene v Meet Lady Macbeth! As the scene opens, she is reading a letter

from Macbeth, who addresses her as his dearest partner of greatness, which shows that he considers her to be his equal. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth everything that has happened with the witches and with Duncan. Lady Macbeth is elated by the news but worries that her husband, who has ambition, lacks the wickedness to further his ambition by killing Duncan. Obviously, from Lady Macbeth’s comments, she and Macbeth have dreamed together for some time about his becoming king and perhaps even murdering the King to become king. She knows that when Macbeth returns home, she’ll have some persuading to do but the time is ripe for killing and making their dreams come true. A messenger arrives to tell her that the King is on his way to their castle tonight. Lady Macbeth calls on evil, murdering spirits to possess her body, making her inhuman so that she feels no guilt that would interfere

with their plans. Just at that moment, Macbeth arrives, and she begins to weave her magic, telling Macbeth that they cannot let the sun rise on a living Duncan. She tells Macbeth to put on his poker face, appearing like the innocent flower but being the serpent under it. Macbeth tells her they will speak about this matter further.

Scene vi The King and his entourage arrive to celebrate Macbeth, and Lady

Macbeth greets them warmly. She’s such a hypocrite! And a really good actress.

Scene vii Macbeth has his first soliloquy (a speech where a character is alone

on stage and reveals his or her private thoughts). He is obviously highly conflicted over what to do. He has several reasons not to kill Duncan and only one to kill him, Macbeth’s overpowering ambition to become king. Just when he has decided not to go through with the murder, Lady Macbeth enters, wondering why he has left the party. Macbeth tells her they will not go on with her plans because he wants to enjoy everyone’s praise. Lady Macbeth, the spirits in her rising, proceeds to challenge his manhood and his love for her in an attempt to manipulate him in to doing her bidding. With each word, Macbeth’s resolve not to kill the king wears away. Lady Macbeth tells him her fool-proof plan and he agrees even though he knows he is betraying King, country, and his own immortal soul.

Act II Overview After agreeing to kill Duncan, Macbeth hallucinates that he sees a

dagger floating before him, leading him to Duncan’s room. The audience can see that Macbeth’s mind is a fertile ground for his imagination. When he hears the bell ring, he knows the time has come to kill. After the murder, he and Lady Macbeth react very differently, showing their natures, but what are their true natures? As the household wakens to the horrible news that Duncan has been slain, chaos descends on Scotland. Duncan’s sons flee the castle while Banquo and Macduff vow to discover the truth. By the end of the Act, Macbeth is on his way to Scone to be crowned king.

Scene i After agreeing to Lady Macbeth’s treacherous plan to kill Duncan,

Macbeth, waiting for her signal, has a conversation with Banquo. When he tells Banquo that there will be some honor for Banquo if he supports Macbeth should he ever become king, Banquo assures Macbeth he will have his full support, providing that he does not have to do anything immoral to earn that honor. Macbeth must realize that Banquo will not be an ally if he discovers Macbeth’s plans. Banquo’s loyalty makes Macbeth seem even more traitorous. Later Macbeth

hallucinates that he sees a dagger before him, pointing the way to Duncan’s room. Out of his guilt-ridden conscience, Macbeth is sure that his every step loudly proclaims his intentions. When he hears the bell, Macbeth reluctantly goes to accomplish the deed.

Scene ii Exhilarated by her actions of drugging the guards, Lady Macbeth

anxiously awaits her husband’s return from the murder of Duncan, whom she admits she could not kill herself because he looks too much like her dear, old dad. Maybe Lady Macbeth is not as strong or as cruel as she would like to appear to be. Remember, fair is foul and foul is fair! When Macbeth returns from Duncan’s room, his hands are covered in blood, a sorry sight he says. Lady Macbeth seems proud of the blood on her husband’s hands. Throughout this scene, the differing reactions of the murdering couple reveals much about their characters, but beware of appearances! Knocking on the outer gate compels the couple to put on their bed clothes and pretend to have been asleep before they are seen in their bloody clothes.

Scenes iii & iv As the knocking continues, the drunken porter stumbles across the

courtyard, invoking the devil in an ironic tirade. As Macduff and Lennox enter the castle to wake the king, Macbeth arrives in the courtyard. Soon the whole scene is one of chaos as Macduff discovers the murdered Duncan. After Macbeth returns from the murder scene, he tells everyone that he has killed the guards because it was obvious that they had killed Duncan. Fearing for their lives and trusting no one, Malcom and Donalbain flee the castle as Macduff and Banquo vow to get to the truth of the matter. Macduff, who has questioned Macbeth’s killing of the guards before they could be questioned, show more suspicion when he refuses to go to Scone to see Macbeth crowned king. Macbeth has won the throne since he is the highest ranking thane and Malcom is nowhere to be found. The newest theory is that the sons bribed the guards to kill their father and then fled. In response to the unnatural act of assassinating the King, nature seems to have turned upside down in the night, with strong winds blowing down chimneys and birds screaming. Ross tells that the sun does not rise on the morning of Duncan’s death and an owl, the weaker bird, has killed a hawk, the stronger bird. (Make a comparison with Macbeth and Duncan.) The Old Man speaks of Duncan’s favorite horses breaking out of their stalls and eating each other – again, make a comparison. The universe is out of order now that the King is dead.

Act III Overview When the Act opens, Macbeth is in position as king, living in

Duncan’s palace in Forres. Fearing Banquo, who has proven to be loyal and honorable, Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo as well as Fleance because Macbeth wants to change the fate that the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s children will become kings. During his first state dinner as king, Macbeth exhibits

strange and unusual behavior that causes his subjects and closest thanes to question his sanity. It seems that Macbeth is not yet the hardened criminal that he would like to be, as his conscience causes him to have more hallucinations. By the end of the Act, several of the lords, including Lennox, have realized that Macbeth had a role in Duncan’s murder and now their country is suffering under a hand accursed.

Shakespeare structures the play so that in Act III, which is the exact middle of the five act play, Macbeth is also in the middle of his battle between his noble and his evil self. Shakespeare gives Macbeth several lines that indicate Macbeth is in the middle, some of them literal and some of them figurative. Shakespeare also uses light and time imagery to support the theme of good versus evil Look for places where Macbeth states either directly or indirectly his position as well as light and darkness or time imagery that indicates the middle.

Lines #

Direct (literal) Indirect (figurative) Light/Dark/Time Imagery

1.2.50-53

1.3.5

1.3.18

1.4.11

1.4.127-128

1.4.137-139

Act IV Overview In Act IV, we see Macbeth turning toward the dark side as he seeks to

protect his throne. Many times, tragic heroes, believing they are owed something, make bad decisions in an attempt to protect what they feel is theirs by right. Macbeth has come to believe that he deserves to be the King of Scotland, and he seems willing to do anything to ensure that he stays on the throne and that his children become kings. With Fleance still living, Macbeth pays a call on the witches, seeking to know his destiny so that he can try to control it in his favor. When he receives the predictions of the apparitions, he, feeling overconfident, interprets their words in the most favorable way. Frustrated and angry that Macduff has fled to England to seek help from Malcom and the English forces, Macbeth contrives his most cruel plan. Forces begin to gather against Macbeth, and his situation becomes desperate.

Scene i. The witches’ haunt. The witches gather to prepare for Macbeth’s visit, concocting a special

potion for him that will answer all of his questions through the use of apparitions. Macbeth enters their haunt, demanding to know what lies ahead for him. As each of the three apparitions speaks to him, Macbeth becomes more and more confident that he can stay on the throne, but he wants to ensure his fate by killing Macduff. When that proves to be impossible because Macduff is in England, Macbeth takes a cruel step in his plot to get revenge.

Scene ii. Macduff’s castle. This scene takes place in the Macduff castle where Lady Macduff is

upset over her husband’s disappearance to England. Ross, Macduff’s kinsman, assures Lady Macduff that she can trust her husband to do what is best for Scotland, but she will not be comforted. Looking at her son, Lady Macduff wonders aloud what he will do now for a father. Ross, shaking his head, can only tell her that he will be back to check on her soon. After Ross departs, a messenger warns Lady Macduff to flee her castle because she and her children are in danger, but there is no time to flee.

Scene iii. England. Before the King’s palace. Macduff and Malcom discuss the terrible state of chaos that has

befallen Scotland since Macbeth murdered to take the throne. Malcom, having been pursued by Macbeth’s men, does not seem to trust fully that Macduff is here to help Malcom, not to betray him to Macbeth. Malcom tests Macduff’s loyalty several times, and just when Macduff is ready to give up convincing Malcom that he is honorable, Malcom finally comes around and believes him. Malcom informs Macduff that there are already English forces gathering to storm Scotland and defeat Macbeth. Ross arrives with even more terrible news.

Act V Overview Macbeth’s tragic flaw comes into full light in this act, but Macbeth

confronts his limitations with a glimmer of his former noble self, showing his tragic impulse, as he exhibits reckless bravery in the end. Macbeth, ignoring the evidence, clings to his literal interpretation of the apparitions even as everything around him falls apart. Preparing for war, Macbeth has little time to spend with Lady Macbeth, who has had a mental breakdown. Macbeth’s final speeches show that he has realized the truth of his situation and gained self-knowledge. Through Macbeth, the audience sees that even noble men can fall into the depths of depravity and ruin.

Scene i. Dunsinane. In the castle. As Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman and the Scottish Doctor look on in

amazement, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks, revealing her troubled, tormented mind. Just as she predicted to Macbeth, too much thinking about one’s evil deeds does lead to insanity. Lady Macbeth rambles on about the terrible deeds she has been a party to. In an ironic twist, it is Lady Macbeth, not Macbeth, whose sleep has been murdered.

Scene ii. The country near Dunsinane. The Scottish thanes who have turned against Macbeth await the arrival

of Malcom with Macduff and 10,000 English forces in BIRNAM WOOD. They reveal that those who remain with Macbeth do so only out of fear, not out of love or respect.

Scene iii. Dunsinane. In the castle. Macbeth speaks boldly even though he knows that war is imminent,

but he trusts the apparitions and refuses to worry until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Besides, he has no reason to fear any man born of a woman. Through Macbeth’s disdainful way of speaking to his servants, the audience sees that Macbeth cares not for Scotland, only for himself. Macbeth does understand that he has nothing to show for being king, however, as Duncan did, no friends, no honor, nothing but curses. He wishes the Doctor could cure Scotland as well as his wife.

Scene iv. Country near Birnam Wood. Malcom arrives with reinforcements and advises the troops to cut

down a limb from a tree so that their large number will be in disguise as they make their way to Dunsinane. Is the wood about to move???

Scene v. Dunsinane. Within the castle. Macbeth, preparing for war, receives more tragic news, but he has

tasted horror so much now that it does not seem to penetrate. Macbeth begins to realize that he has little human feelings left. Even as Macbeth is faced with the truth, he refuses to give in, vowing to fight till the end.

Scene vi & vii. Dunsinane. Before the castle.

Malcom and Macduff have reached the castle and are prepared for Macbeth.

Scene viii. Another part of the field. As Macbeth realizes that the witches have juggled with the truth and

that he has allowed himself to be deceived by them and his own blind ambition, he faces Macduff with courage, giving the audience a glimpse of the former Macbeth, one who had the potential to be great. The sun will soon rise over Scotland once again as the true son is restored to the throne.

APPARITION WARNING

MACBETH’S REACTION

HOW IT COMES TRUE IN ACT V

MACBETH’S REACTION

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