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Macbeth: Outline of the Acts
Act I
The settings in Act 1 are: a heath (an isolated and desolate field); King Duncan’s camp near Forres;
King Duncan’s palace at Forres; Macbeth’s castle at Inverness.
The main characters in Act 1 are: three witches; King Duncan; Malcolm; the Thane of Cawdor (he is
never on stage, but his character is important); a nameless soldier; Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
At the end of Act 1 Macbeth has been promised kingship by the witches, he has risen in power by
becoming Thane of Cawdor, and Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have a plan to murder King Duncan to
further Macbeth's hope of becoming king.
The main events in Act 1 are:
act. scene.
line numbers
Three witches meet on a heath and make plans to meet with Macbeth. 1.
A soldier fighting in the ongoing civil war tells Duncan of Macbeth's bravery in battle. Ross tells Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor has proven to be a traitor. Duncan announces that Macbeth will take the title of Thane of Cawdor (Macbeth is not present and, therefore, does not know this).
On a heath, the three witches meet with Macbeth and tell him he will become Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland. The first prophecy is already true, the second is true as well, but Macbeth does not know it, and the third prophecy refers to Macbeth's greatest hope.
Ross arrives to announce Macbeth will receive the title of Thane of Cawdor. 1.3.109-
Immediately, Macbeth thinks of murdering Duncan. 1.3.137-
King Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, will be the heir to the throne. Macbeth again thinks of murder.
At the Macbeths' castle, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth. She resolves that Macbeth shall be king, but she worries that he is too meek to carry out the necessary action—i.e., the murder of Duncan.
Macbeth arrives at his castle. Lady Macbeth declares they will murder Duncan when he visits. She will take care of matters. Macbeth is nervous.
Duncan arrives at the Macbeths' castle on a sunny, pleasant day. 1.
Macbeth leaves a banquet held in Duncan’s honor. Macbeth is overwrought with worries about the plan and the possible negative consequences both in this life and the life after death.
Lady Macbeth finds Macbeth and talks him into continuing with their plan. 1.7.39-
Act II
Mac Lady Macbeth finds Macbeth and talks him into continuing with their plan. beth: Outline of the Acts^ 1.7.39-
Act II
The settings in Act 2 are: the courtyard of Macbeth's palace; the gates of Macbeth's palace; King
Duncan's bedroom at the Macbeths.
The main characters in Act 2 are: Banquo; Macbeth; Lady Macbeth; King Duncan; Macduff;
Malcolm and Donalbain.
At the end of Act 2 Macbeth has murdered Duncan, Duncan's sons have been blamed for the crime,
and Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland. Macduff, lacking faith in Macbeth, has returned home to Fife,
fearing the changes that he believes are coming.
The main events in Act 2 are:
act. scene.
line numbers
Banquo and Macbeth meet. They discuss Duncan's happiness about being at Macbeth's castle. They agree to discuss the witches' prophecies later, although Banquo states he will not discuss anything that is dishonorable.
Macbeth sees a dagger floating before his eyes. He believes this hallucination appeared in order to lead him to Duncan's chamber and to ultimately commit the murder. Nevertheless, he remains nervous and racked with worries and guilt.
As Lady Macbeth awaits Macbeth's return from committing the murder, she expresses her own nervousness and guilt over the plan.
Macbeth returns from murdering Duncan extremely distressed, crying that he will sleep no longer. He tells Lady Macbeth the two guards sleeping outside Duncan's room seemed to have heard something. Lady Macbeth returns to the chamber and murders the guards.
Macduff discovers Duncan's body. 2.3.69-
Macbeth confesses to killing the two guards, claiming he was acting in defense of Duncan.
Malcolm flees to England, and Donalbain, to Ireland. They fear they will be charged with the murder.
Macbeth is declared the heir to Duncan's throne and he prepares to take the title.
Macduff declares he will return home to Fife instead of attending Macbeth's coronation. Macduff fears that the future does not bode well.
Act III
The settings in Act 3 are: the palace at Forres where Macbeth now lives; a gateway to the palace; a
banquet room in Macbeth's palace; a heath; Macbeth’s castle in Inverness.
Macbeth: Outline of the Acts
that Macbeth is responsible for the murders. The lord informs that Malcolm is safe in England and that Macduff has gone to beseech the English king to help him in taking down Macbeth.
Act IV
The settings in Act 4 are: a dark cave; Macduff's castle in Fife; King Edward's castle in England.
The main characters in Act 4 are: the three witches and Hecate; Macbeth; Lennox; Ross; Lady
Macduff and her family; Macduff; Malcolm.
At the end of Act 4 Macbeth has become a tyrant-king and there are plans to bring Malcolm back
from England to overthrow Macbeth.
The main events in Act 4 are:
act. scene.
line numbers
Macbeth meets the witches in a dark cave and demands to know his future. 4.1.50-
The witches' prophecies are more cryptic (i.e., confusing) than those made previously. Apparitions (or ghosts) appear and tell Macbeth the following:
- Macbeth should beware Macduff 2) Macbeth should be bold because no one born of a woman will harm him 3) Macbeth shall not be harmed until a forest called Birnam Wood begins to move toward him. Because these prophecies seem impossible to realize, Macbeth's confidence is strengthened.
While Macduff is in England, a murderer visits Macduff's castle in Fife and kills his wife and children.
Macduff meets Malcolm in England. Macduff argues that they should band together and invade Scotland in order to overthrow Macbeth.
Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty and honor. Malcolm lies, telling Macduff that he, Malcolm, would be a corrupt king. Macduff is disgusted. By his disgust, he shows his integrity and Malcolm knows he can trust Macduff.
Malcolm tells Macduff that an army of 10,000 soldiers is prepared to invade Scotland.
Ross arrives in England and he tells of the increasing corruption and tyranny of Macbeth's rule.
Macduff pleads with Ross to tell him about the state of his family. Ross is reluctant, but he finally tells Macduff that his family has been murdered.
First Macduff is overcome by sorrow and then he becomes only more determined to return to Scotland and kill Macbeth.
Act V
The settings in Act 5 are: Dunsinane Castle (the Macbeths have moved here); the countryside near
Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Castle; a battlefield near Dunsinane Castle.
The main characters in Act 5 are: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; a doctor; Scottish nobles; Malcolm;
Macbeth: Outline of the Acts
First Macduff is overcome by sorrow and then he becomes only more determined to return to Scotland and kill Macbeth.
Act V
The settings in Act 5 are: Dunsinane Castle (the Macbeths have moved here); the countryside near
Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Castle; a battlefield near Dunsinane Castle.
The main characters in Act 5 are: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth; a doctor; Scottish nobles; Malcolm;
Macduff; soldiers.
At the end of Act 5 Macbeth has been slain and Malcolm is declared king.
The main events in Act 5 are:
act. scene.
line numbers
Lady Macbeth has become seriously mentally disturbed. A doctor and servant observe her sleepwalking. She continues to refer to blood on her hands that she cannot wash away.
Scottish nobles gather near Dunsinane to prepare for battle. They are determined to free Scotland of Macbeth. They plan to march toward Birnam Wood where they will meet up with Malcolm and the English forces.
Macbeth is informed of the approaching soldiers. He is at once confident of his victory because of the prophecies and depressed, thinking that he has lived past his time.
The soliders gather at Birnam Wood. Malcolm tells them to carry tree boughs to disguise the numbers in their army. By carrying these boughs, the army appears to be a forest itself.
Lady Macbeth dies, most likely by suicide. Macbeth becomes extremely depressed, expressing his feeling that life is empty and pointless.
A servant informs Macbeth that it appears Birnam Wood is moving toward the castle. Macbeth becomes inflamed and prepares for battle.
The army is in a field before Macbeth's castle. Macduff will lead the army into battle.
On the battlefield, Macbeth is confident because he has been told he cannot be killed by anyone born of a woman. When Macduff faces Macbeth, he tells Macbeth he was born by caesarian section. This frightens Macbeth, because it means that technically Macduff was not born of a woman.
Macduff slays Macbeth. 5.8.32-
Macduff enters victoriously, carrying Macbeth's head in his hands. 5.9.22-
Malcolm is declared king, and he promises a new era of order and peace. 5.9.25-
