MACBETH SUMMARY (TIMELINE)
Upon the
The witches appear out of a storm and plan to meet after the battle. Scene 1
heath
Macbeth and Banquo have fought greatly and King Duncan bestows Cawdor’s title After the war
Scene 2
upon Macbeth.
The witches greet (prophesy) Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor and After the
Scene 3
thereafter as King of Scotland and Banquo is told that he will be father of kings battle
ACT 1
King Duncan plans to make Malcolm his successor and that evokes jealousy in At the palace
Scene 4
Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth learns of the prophecies from the letter sent by her husband and
At Inverness Scene 5
plans to assassinate King Duncan through manipulating Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth welcomes King Duncan to the castle to stay overnight. At Inverness Scene 6
Macbeth has second thoughts about murdering his own cousin and king of Scotland At Inverness,
Scene 7
in his soliloquy, but Lady Macbeth forcefully persuades him. Before dinner
Banquo and his son, Fleance walk the halls of Macbeth’s castle at night. A bell rings Outside halls
Scene 1
as a signal for Macbeth to proceed with murder. of Inverness
Lady Macbeth meets with Macbeth carrying bloodstained daggers after murdering Mid-night
Scene 2
ACT 2
Duncan. Lady Macbeth smears blood on the Duncan’s guard. At castle
Macduff discovers the murder and rings the castle bell. Macbeth announces the he In the
has already killed Duncan’s guards who are suspected of regicide. Malcolm and morning at Scene 3
Donaldbain flee to England and Ireland respectively. the castle
Macduff informs Ross that Duncan’s sons have fled. This makes them suspects. During the
Scene 4
Macduff also tell Ross that Macbeth will be crowned King. day
Macbeth is now king. Fearing Banquo’s prophecy coming true, Macbeth hires Same day at
Scene 1
murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance. Inverness
Macbeth advices Lady Macbeth to be kind to Banquo, but he does not tell her of his At night,
Scene 2
intentions. Inverness
The murderers kill Banquo and Fleance manages to escape. In the early
Scene 3
ACT 3
morning hours
Macbeth learns Fleance has escaped. Banquo’s ghost appears in an empty seat at During dinner
Scene 4
the table, but is seen only by Macbeth.
The witches meet with Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, who is angered by the three At night, on
Scene 5
sisters enjoying game of riddles and spells at Macbeth’s expense without her. the heath
Lennox tells a lord that Malcolm is safe at the English Court of King Siward. He has The following
also learned that Macduff has gone to England to join the army that intends to the day Scene 6
rescue Scotland from tyrant Macbeth.
The witches prepare a spell in preparation for their meeting with Macbeth. Upon the
Macbeth thinks the prophecies mean that he cannot be harmed. Lennox tells heath Scene 1
Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England.
ACT 4
Macduff’s family is murdered by killers hired by Macbeth. Macduff’s
Scene 2
castle
In England, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty. Ross arrives and tells Macduff what At English
Scene 3
has happened to his family. Court
The gentlewoman tells the doctor that Lady Macbeth is a somnambulist. They Inverness
Scene 1
ACT 5
watch her nightly ritual of washing invisible blood from her hands.
Malcolm’s army approaches Birnam Wood near Dunsinane. Macbeth’s followers Birnam
Scene 2
obey him out of fear not loyalty. Wood/forest
When told that his nobles are deserting him, Macbeth does not worry as he Dunsinane
Scene 3
believes that he cannot be defeated. castle
Malcolm orders his army to cut branches to use as camouflage. Birnam Wood Scene 4
Macbeth hears wailing of a woman and he is told that Lady Macbeth is dead. New Inverness and
Scene 5
reports tell Macbeth that Birnam Wood is marching towards Dunsinane castle. Dunsinane
Malcolm’s army arrives at Dunsinane and the battle begins Dunsinane
Scene 6
Macbeth has left the safety of the castle, he fights and kills Young Siward. He is Dunsinane
Scene 7
confident that “no one born of woman shall harm Macbeth”
Macduff and Macbeth fight. Macbeth brags about his charmed life. Macduff then Dunsinane
tells him that he was ‘ripped from his mother’s womb.” Macbeth is eventually Scene 8
killed by Macduff.
The thanes declare their loyalty to Malcolm. Macbeth enters with Macbeth’s head
and hails Malcolm as King. Malcolm promises to restore order and peace to At the Palace Scene 9
Scotland.
