Macbeth

Begins with the Three Witches. Shakespeare uses pathetic fallacy, "lightning, thunder". "Fair is foul and foul is fair"- this is a paradox and highlights that appearances can be deceiving.

King Duncan is informed about Macbeth and Banquo fighting in the Scot's Battle with courage and violence. Duncan's Thane betrayed him by fighting for Norway against Scotland, so he is executed.

Macbeth and Banquo meet the Witches and the Witches tell them 3 prophecies. Macbeth's reaction emphasise his great passion for power, but he is still confused. Macbeth is crowned Thane of Cawdor, the first of the Witches prophecies and Duncan tells Macbeth that Malcolm will be the next King.

Lady Macbeth is told the propecies, but is convinced Macbeth is too kind to harm anyone in order to become King faster, so she wants to destroy this. Duncan's life is doomed as soon as Lady Macbeth was told the propechies.

Lady Macbeth is the antithesis of the stereotypical women in the Jacobean Period as she is the driving force of Macbeth's decision to kill Duncan. "Look like the innocent flower but be the serpant under it", she convinces Macbeth to deceive Duncan into believing he is a loyal Cawdor, when in fact he is the opposite.

"Unsex me here", Lady Macbeth wants her femininity removed so she can carry out the deed. She attacks Macbeth's courage and manliness. Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle and Macbeth and Lady Macbeth greet Duncan pleasantly, so Shakespeare portrays appearances can be deceiving.

In Macbeth's solliquay, he debates the pros and cons of murdering Duncan. Macbeth decides against it, "we will proceed no further in this bussiness". Lady Macbeth persuades him into it, conveying Macbeths vulnerability and lack of manliness. Macbeth's vaulting ambition leads him to decide to kill the King.

The setting of this scene is dark, suggesting the physical darkness is also a moral darkness. Banquo senses something wrong, "a heavy summons lies like lead upon me". Macbeth lies to Banquo and says he thinks nothing of the Witches.

"Is this a dagger I see before me?", Macbeth doesn't know if this is his imagination or real. The dagger guides the way for him to Duncan. Macbeth murders King Duncan. Macbeth hears an imaginary voice, "Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep". Lady Macbeth's hands are bloody, "a little water clears us of this deed".

Macduff arrives at Macbeth's castle and discovers the murder. Macbeth kills the drugged servants. Duncan's sons flee to England. After Duncan's murder, nature has turned into chaos. Ross and an old man dicuss the murder and Macduff believes Duncan's sons arranged Duncan's murder. Macbeth has been crowned King.

Banquo reflects on the Witches prophecies and believes Macbeth obtained the crown by treachery. Macbeth is worried Banquo knows that Macbeth had something to do with Duncan's death and feels threatened that his offspring may become King. "Our fears in Banquo stick deep". Macbeth orders murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.

Lady Macbeth scolds him for dwelling on his actions, "what's done, is done". Macbeth reveals his fear for Banquo and Fleance and tells us he is about to commit another dreadful crime. Banquo is murdered but Fleance escapes, and Macbeth is informed.

Macbeth returns for dinner and sees Banquo's ghost so Macbeth freaks out, Lady Macbeth covers for him and says he often has fits. Macbeth returns and makes a toast to Banquo, but his ghost comes back again so he loses his nerve altogether and Lady Macbeth orders the guests to leave.

Macbeth is concerned about Macduff's loyalty.

The three Witches prepare a strong spell for Macbeth.

Lennox outlines to another Lord that Macbeth is responsible for all the murders that have plagued the state. Malcolm is in the English Court attempting to raise military support to reclaim his throne and Lennox suports this.

Macduff travels to England to try and get an army from England to kill Macbeth.

The 3 Witches create a powerful spell to prepare to meet Macbeth. Macbeth arrives and is told three more prophecies. He should beware Macduff, he can't be harmed by one born of a woman, he is secure until Birnan Wood comes to Dunsinane (the location of his castle).

Lennox informs Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England and Macbeth determines to kill Macduff's wife and children. Ross informs Lady Macduff that Macduff has fled to England. A messenger warns the family to leave but it is too late and they are murdered.

Malcolm is suspicious of Macduff because Macbeth hasn't injured him yet, "He hath not touched you yet". Macduff convinces Malcolm and they join together for an invasion of Scotland. Ross tells Macduff his family has been killed. Macduff supports Malcolm and vows to kill Macbeth himself.

A doctor and a gentlewoman dicuss their patient, Lady Macbeth. The gentlewomen refuses to tell the doctor what she has heard Lady Macbeth say in her sleep, but they listen together. "Out damn'd spot! Out I say!", they both hear her reveal her guilt and watch her attempt to wash her hands.

"Who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?". The doctor says she needs spiritual help. "What's done can not be undone". He warns the gentlewoman to take away anything that she can kill herself with.

Scottish soliders march to Macbeth's castle to overthrow him. They arrange to meet with the English forces at Birnan Wood (where Macbeth was told the prophecy). The soliders call him a tryant.

A servant tells Macbeth English soliders are approaching him but the prophecies give him confidence he is untouchable. Malcolm orders his soliders to cut down a bough from Birnan Wood.

Malcolm tells his soliders to cut down a bough from Birnan Wood and to carry it in front of them so Macbeth doesnt know the number of soliders attacking. Macbeth believes his castle walls are too strong for the soliders to enter.

Cries of woman are heard and Seyton (Macbeth's servant) goes to investigate but Macbeth shows no fear. Lady Macbeth is dead and Macbeth says in his soliloquy "she should have died hereafter" or his soliloquy could suggest indifferent and emotionless- "signifying nothing". Macbeth compares dying to a candle losing its flame, "out, out brief candle". The theme of this speech is life is meaningless.

A messenger tells Macbeth that Birnan Wood is moving towards Dunsinane Castle and Macbeth begins to doubt the prophecies, so orders his soliders to fight outside the castle, "at least we'll die with armour on our backs".

Malcolm, Macduff and Seyward approach and castle and the battle commences. Macbeth kills Young Seyward. Macduff approaches Macbeth because he believes the ghost of his family will haunt him if he doesn't kill him. Macduff says "I have no words, my words are in my sword".

Macbeth says "I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born" but Macduff informs him that he was not born of woman. Macbeth fights Macduff and he is killed.

Old Seyward is told by Malcolm that Macbeth killed his son. Macduff arrives with Macbeth's head and Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland. Malcolm crowns everyone as earls who fought.