Macbeth Plot Summary (Including Macbeth in 10 easy steps)

1. The witches meet on the heath.
2. Macbeth and his friend Banquo, who are returning from battle, meet the witches. They tell Macbeth he will be King.
3. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth about the events and she persuades him to kill the King, Duncan.
4. Macbeth kills the King, blames it on the guards and is made King of Scotland after King Duncan's sons flee to England and Ireland.
5. Macbeth orders the death of Banquo and Banquo's son Fleance, as he is scared that Banquo will realise the truth.
6. Banquo is killed but Fleance escapes. Macbeth starts to panic, and at dinner with the Lords one night, imagines he sees the ghost of Banquo.
7. Macbeth returns to the witches. They tell him that he should beware of Macduff, that he will not be killed until Birnam woods moves to Dunsinane castle and that he cannot be killed by a man born of a woman.
8. Macbeth feels better especially after ordering the death of Macduff's wife and children (Macduff has gone to England), but his wife Lady Macbeth appears to be losing her mind.
9. Malcolm, son of the old King of Scotland, and Macduff plan to attack the castle. Meanwhile, in the castle Macbeth says he will carry on fighting and Lady Macbeth jumps to her death.
10. Malcolm and Macduff's army attack the castle, cutting down branches and hiding behind them to camouflage themselves. Macduff finds Macbeth. Macbeth thinks he can not be killed as Macduff must have been born from a woman. However, Macduff says his mother was dead as he was born, and kills Macbeth. Malcolm becomes King.  

Three witches appear on the heath. They discuss and plot concerning Macbeth, and where and when they should meet again. They disappear.

The play moves to a battle ground. The King of Scotland, Duncan, is told that his generals Macbeth and Banquo have defeated two armies: one from Ireland and one from Norway. The King is also told that the Thane of Cawdor acted as a traitor and is sentenced to death. On return from battle Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches. The witches made two prophecies: Macbeth will be made Thane of Cawdor then King of Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become King. Macbeth and Banquo are suspicious of the predictions until Angus and Ross arrive to tell Macbeth he is now Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth begins to wonder if he will become King. He goes to meet Duncan and they arrange to go and dine at Inverness, Macbeth's Castle. Macbeth writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth to tell her of events. Lady Macbeth is certain her husband should be king, and so encourages him to kill Duncan. They…