Act and Scene Summary

Macbeth's castle

Act 1: Introduction & Rising Action

• Scene 1: A desolate open space – The witches plan to meet Macbeth.
• Scene 2: A camp near Forres – King Duncan hears of Macbeth's bravery.
• Scene 3: An open space – The witches greet Macbeth and Banquo with prophecies.
• Scene 4: The palace at Forres – Duncan declares Malcolm his heir.
• Scene 5: Macbeth's castle at Inverness – Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth's letter.
• Scene 6: Entrance of Macbeth's castle – Duncan arrives at Inverness.
• Scene 7: Macbeth's castle – Macbeth hesitates but is convinced by Lady Macbeth.

Act 2: The Murder & Immediate Consequences

• Scene 1: Court of Macbeth's castle – Macbeth hallucinates a dagger.
• Scene 2: A room in Macbeth's castle – Macbeth kills Duncan; Lady Macbeth covers up.
• Scene 3: Gateway of Macbeth's castle – Macduff discovers Duncan's murder.
• Scene 4: Outside the castle – Unnatural events foreshadow doom.

Act 3: Consolidation of Power & Paranoia

• Scene 1: The castle at Forres – Macbeth arranges Banquo's murder.
• Scene 2: A room in the castle – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth grow uneasy.
• Scene 3: A wood near Forres – Banquo is murdered and, Fleance escapes.
• Scene 4: Banquet hall at Forres – Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost.
• Scene 5: An open space – The witches prepare more deception.
• Scene 6: The palace at Forres – Lennox and a lord suspect Macbeth.

Act 4: Further Corruption & Tyranny

• Scene 1: A dark cave – The witches show Macbeth new prophecies.
• Scene 2: Macduff's castle at Fife – Lady Macduff and her son are killed.
• Scene 3: King Edward's palace in London – Macduff learns of his family's fate.

Act 5: Downfall & Retribution

• Scene 1: Macbeth's castle at Dunsinane – Lady Macbeth's guilt manifests in sleepwalking.
• Scene 2: Birnam Wood – Rebels advance against Macbeth.
• Scene 3: Macbeth's castle – Macbeth clings to the witches' prophecy.
• Scene 4: Beside a wood – Malcolm orders his soldiers to cut branches.
• Scene 5: Inside Dunsinane castle – Lady Macbeth dies; Macbeth faces attack.
• Scene 6: Outside Dunsinane – The battle begins.
• Scene 7: Dunsinane battlefield – Macbeth fights desperately.
• Scene 8: Another part of the battlefield – Macduff kills Macbeth.
• Scene 9: Inside the castle – Malcolm is declared king.