Macbeth

A wounded captain reports Macbeth and Banquo's valor in defeating the rebels. Ross announces that the Norwegian forces have been defeated and the Thane of Cawdor has betrayed Scotland. Duncan orders Cawdor's execution and grants his title to Macbeth.

The witches greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and future king, while promising Banquo a royal line. Ross and Angus announce that Duncan has made Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, confirming part of the prophecy. Macbeth privately contemplates murder as a possible path to the crown.

Duncan receives Macbeth and Banquo with gratitude for their loyal service. Duncan names his son Malcolm Prince of Cumberland and heir to the throne. Macbeth resolves to conceal his dark desire to overcome Malcolm and gain the crown.

Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth's letter recounting the witches' prophecy and fears he is too gentle to seize the crown. Learning that Duncan will stay at Inverness, she calls on spirits to harden her for murder. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to appear welcoming while leaving the deadly plan to her.

Duncan and Banquo admire the pleasant setting of Macbeth's castle. Lady Macbeth warmly welcomes Duncan and his attendants while concealing her intentions.

Macbeth weighs Duncan's virtues and the consequences of murder, then decides not to proceed. Lady Macbeth attacks his courage and questions his love and resolve. Macbeth recommits after she outlines a plan to drug Duncan's guards and blame them for his death.

Banquo admits troubling thoughts about the witches, while Macbeth falsely claims not to think of them. Macbeth sees an imaginary dagger leading him toward Duncan's chamber. A bell signals that the preparations are complete, and Macbeth goes to kill Duncan.

Lady Macbeth waits as Macbeth murders Duncan and returns carrying the guards' daggers. Horrified by what he has done, Macbeth refuses to return the daggers to the chamber. Lady Macbeth plants the daggers on the guards and urges Macbeth to wash away the evidence.

A drunken porter jokes as he answers persistent knocking at the castle gate. Macduff discovers Duncan's murdered body and raises the alarm. Macbeth kills the guards, and Malcolm and Donalbain secretly decide to flee for safety.

Ross and an old man discuss unnatural darkness and strange animal behavior following Duncan's murder. Macduff reports that Duncan's guards are blamed and that Malcolm and Donalbain's flight has made them suspect. Macduff says Macbeth has gone to Scone to be crowned king.

Banquo suspects Macbeth gained the crown by foul means but remembers the prophecy about his own descendants. Macbeth questions Banquo about his plans and learns that he and Fleance will ride out that evening. Fearing Banquo and Fleance, Macbeth hires murderers to kill them both.

Lady Macbeth confesses that gaining the crown has not brought contentment. Macbeth reveals his fear of Banquo and Fleance but withholds the details of his plan from his wife. Macbeth invokes darkness to hide the violent deed he has arranged.

A third murderer joins the two men waiting to ambush Banquo and Fleance. The murderers kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes into the darkness. The murderers leave to report that only part of their task succeeded.

A murderer informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance escaped. Banquo's ghost occupies Macbeth's seat, provoking terrified outbursts visible only to him. Lady Macbeth dismisses the guests as the banquet collapses, and Macbeth resolves to consult the witches again.

Hecate rebukes the witches for dealing with Macbeth without involving her. She orders them to prepare deceptive visions that will make Macbeth overconfident.

Lennox speaks ironically about the deaths surrounding Macbeth and suggests the official explanations are doubtful. A lord reports that Macduff has gone to England to seek aid from Malcolm and King Edward. They hope an English-backed force will free Scotland from Macbeth's tyranny.

The witches brew a potion and summon apparitions to answer Macbeth's questions. The visions warn Macbeth about Macduff but assure him that none born of woman will harm him and that he is safe until Birnam Wood moves. After seeing Banquo's royal descendants and learning Macduff has fled, Macbeth orders an attack on Macduff's castle and family.

Lady Macduff condemns her absent husband for leaving his family unprotected. A messenger warns her to flee immediately, but she remains with her son. Murderers enter, kill the boy, and pursue Lady Macduff as she cries for help.

Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to possess vices that would make him a worse ruler than Macbeth. Macduff's despair for Scotland convinces Malcolm of his honesty, so Malcolm retracts his claims and accepts him as an ally. Ross reports the slaughter of Macduff's family, and Macduff vows to confront Macbeth.

A doctor and gentlewoman observe Lady Macbeth sleepwalking while carrying an imagined light. She compulsively rubs her hands and speaks of blood, guilt, and the murders. The doctor concludes that her sickness is spiritual rather than medical and orders that she be watched closely.

Scottish nobles gather forces near Dunsinane and report that Malcolm's English-backed army is approaching. They describe Macbeth as a hated tyrant whose followers obey from fear rather than loyalty. The nobles march toward Birnam Wood to join Malcolm.

Macbeth dismisses reports of the advancing army because he trusts the witches' assurances. Seyton confirms that a large force is approaching, and Macbeth calls for his armor. Hearing of Lady Macbeth's illness, Macbeth asks the doctor to cure her troubled mind and Scotland's disease.

Malcolm's army reaches Birnam Wood and learns that Macbeth is fortified at Dunsinane. Malcolm orders every soldier to cut a branch and carry it to conceal the army's numbers. The disguised forces advance toward the castle.

Macbeth boasts that Dunsinane can withstand a siege, even as women cry out within the castle. Seyton announces Lady Macbeth's death, prompting Macbeth's bleak reflection on life's meaninglessness. A messenger reports that Birnam Wood appears to be moving, shaking Macbeth's confidence in the prophecy.

Malcolm's troops throw down their leafy screens and reveal the army before Dunsinane. Malcolm orders the assault on Macbeth's castle.

Macbeth kills Young Siward in single combat and takes renewed confidence from the prophecy. Macduff searches the battlefield for Macbeth, determined to avenge his family personally. Malcolm and Siward enter the castle as Macbeth's forces offer little resistance.

Macduff confronts Macbeth and reveals that he was delivered by caesarean birth rather than naturally born. Macduff kills Macbeth in combat and later displays his severed head. The nobles hail Malcolm as king, and he invites them to witness his coronation at Scone.