Plot Summary of Macbeth
Macbeth Plot Summary
In the beginning of the play, three witches confront Macbeth on his return from war with Scotland and Norway. They recite a paradox that foreshadows the events in the play (fair is foul and foul is fair) – good will be bad and the ones perceived as bad will be good. The first external conflict – Duncan king of Scotland talks to a wounded sergeant about Macbeths win against Norway (war – external conflict). They order the Thane of Cawdor’s execution…then give the title to Macbeth. The Thane of Cawdor was disloyal to Duncan, which foreshadows Macbeth being disloyal to Duncan. Then Macbeth and Banquo met the three witches and they say Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor because Macbeth doesn’t know at this point that he is going to be the Thane of Cawdor. Another witch predicts Macbeth will be a king and Banquo will be in a line of kings but himself wont be a king. Macbeth commands the witches to explain what they said but the disappear before he receives his answer. Macbeth and Banquo Then receive a message from the king saying that he is the Thane of Cawdor. Because of this Macbeth begins to think/plot the murder of Duncan. With this it begins his internal conflict between what is right and wrong and his own morals “dawth unfixed my hair/and make my seated heart knock at my ribs” (act 1 scene 3 line 147-148). Macbeth then goes and talks to Duncan who praises him for his victory. Macbeth sends a letter home to his wife discussing the prediction of the witches. Lady Macbeth starts to think about the murder of Duncan and how Macbeth could gain the throne right now but she believes that he doesn’t have what it takes. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth the Duncan will be visiting latter that night. Lady Macbeth describes what needs to be done “The raven himself is hoarse/That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/Under my battlements. Come, you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,/And fill me from the
In the beginning of the play, three witches confront Macbeth on his return from war with Scotland and Norway. They recite a paradox that foreshadows the events in the play (fair is foul and foul is fair) – good will be bad and the ones perceived as bad will be good. The first external conflict – Duncan king of Scotland talks to a wounded sergeant about Macbeths win against Norway (war – external conflict). They order the Thane of Cawdor’s execution…then give the title to Macbeth. The Thane of Cawdor was disloyal to Duncan, which foreshadows Macbeth being disloyal to Duncan. Then Macbeth and Banquo met the three witches and they say Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor because Macbeth doesn’t know at this point that he is going to be the Thane of Cawdor. Another witch predicts Macbeth will be a king and Banquo will be in a line of kings but himself wont be a king. Macbeth commands the witches to explain what they said but the disappear before he receives his answer. Macbeth and Banquo Then receive a message from the king saying that he is the Thane of Cawdor. Because of this Macbeth begins to think/plot the murder of Duncan. With this it begins his internal conflict between what is right and wrong and his own morals “dawth unfixed my hair/and make my seated heart knock at my ribs” (act 1 scene 3 line 147-148). Macbeth then goes and talks to Duncan who praises him for his victory. Macbeth sends a letter home to his wife discussing the prediction of the witches. Lady Macbeth starts to think about the murder of Duncan and how Macbeth could gain the throne right now but she believes that he doesn’t have what it takes. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth the Duncan will be visiting latter that night. Lady Macbeth describes what needs to be done “The raven himself is hoarse/That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/Under my battlements. Come, you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,/And fill me from the