Macbeth

Characters:

• Macbeth
• Scottish general and thane of Glamis
• led to wicked thoughts by prophecies of the three witches
• unable to bear psychological consequences of his atrocities
• Lady Macbeth
• deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position
• urges husband to kill Duncan and seize the crown
• falls victim to guilt and madness
• eventually commits suicide
• The Three Witches
• they plot mischief against Macbeth using charms, spells and prophecies
• their predictions prompt Macbeth to murder Duncan, to order the deaths of Banquo and his son, and to blindly believe in his own immortality
• Banquo
• noble general whose children, according to the witches' prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne
• his ghost haunts Macbeth
• King Duncan
• King of Scotland whom Macbeth murders for the throne
• Macduff
• Scottish nobleman who becomes leader of rebellion against Macbeth
• the rebellion is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne, but Macduff also wants revenge for Macbeth's murder of Macduff's wife and son
• Malcolm
• son of Duncan
• becomes King of Scotland with Macduff's aid
• Hecate
• goddess of witchcraft who helps the three witches work their mischief on Macbeth
• Fleance
• Banquo's son who survives Macbeth's attempt to murder him
• Lennox and Ross
• Scottish noblemen
• The Murderers
• group of ruffians hired by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance and Macduff's family
• Porter
• drunken doorman of Macbeth's castle
• Lady Macduff
• Macduff's wife
• Donalbain
• Duncan's son, Malcolm's younger brother

Plot summary:

• Play begins with brief appearance of trio of witches on a Scottish moor who make plans to confront Macbeth.
• At a military camp, King Duncan receives news that his generals Macbeth and Banquo have successfully quashed rebellions. Duncan declares that Macbeth be given the title of the thane of Cawdor, who was defeated.
• Macbeth and Banquo meet the three witches on the way to Duncan's court. The witches hail Macbeth as thane of Glamis (his original title) and Cawdor, which surprises him because he has not yet heard of Duncan's decision. The witches also predict that Macbeth will become king. They also tell Banquo that he will not be king, but that his children will sit upon the throne.
• Ross and Angus arrive to take Banquo and Macbeth to the king. Ross tells Macbeth that he has been made thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is amazed at the witches' prophecy and wonders if he will indeed become king.
• At court, Duncan announces Malcolm, his son, as the successor to his throne. Macbeth realizes that Malcolm now prevents the fulfilment of the witches' prophecy. 
• The king decides to dine at Macbeth's castle. 
• Macbeth sends a letter to his wife telling her about his promotion and his meeting with the witches. She decides to do whatever it takes to get the crown. 
• Macbeth arrives ahead of the king and Lady Macbeth persuades him to kill the king that very night.
• They get Duncan's chamberlains drunk until they pass out and do not remember anything in order to blame the murder on them. While Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him despite his doubts and supernatural omens. 
• When Duncan's death is discovered te next morning, Macbeth kills the chamberlains and assumes the kingship. Duncan's sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland out of fear for their lives.
• Fearful of the witches' prophecy that Banquo's heirs will seize the throne, Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Although they kill Banquo, they fail to kill Fleance. 
• At a feast that night, Banquo's ghost visits Macbeth, which causes him to start raving in front of other Scottish noblemen, who begin to dissent at his kingship.
• Macbeth visits the witches in their cavern and they predict that he must beware of Macduff, a Scottish nobleman who opposed Macbeth's accession to the throne. They also predict that Macbeth will be incapable of being harmed by any man born of a woman, and that he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. 
• Macbeth is relieved, but nonetheless orders Macduff's castle to be seized and his family murdered when he learns that Macduff has fled to England to join Malcolm.
• The news of his family's execution reaches Macduff in England and he joins Malcolm's army which he has raised in England against Macbeth. 
• Lady Macbeth, in the meantime, begins sleepwalking and believes bloodstains are on her hands. She kills herself before the invasion arrives.
• Macbeth becomes depressed at the news of his wife's suicide. Nonetheless he fortifies Dunsinane, where he awaits Malcolm's invasion. However, he becomes increasingly worried when he learns that Malcolm's army is advancing on Dunsinane shielded with boughs cut from Birnam Wood.
• On the battlefield, Macbeth comes face to face with Macduff who declares that he was "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb. Macduff beheads Macbeth and Malcolm ascends the throne.