Macbeth: storylines

A wounded captain reports that Macbeth defeated Macdonwald and helped repel the Norwegian assault.

Ross reports Norway’s defeat and the Thane of Cawdor’s treason.

Duncan orders Cawdor’s execution and grants his title to Macbeth.

The witches declare that Banquo will father kings, though he will not reign himself.

Ross and Angus confirm Macbeth’s new title, making part of the prophecy come true.

Duncan warmly thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their loyal service.

Duncan names Malcolm Prince of Cumberland and thereby establishes him as heir.

Macbeth recognises Malcolm as an obstacle and privately entertains dark ambitions.

Lady Macbeth learns of the witches’ prophecies and Macbeth’s new title.

When Macbeth arrives, she tells him to conceal his intentions and leave the plan to her.

Duncan and his attendants arrive at Macbeth’s castle and praise its pleasant setting.

Lady Macbeth courteously receives the king while concealing her murderous purpose.

Macbeth decides not to kill Duncan because of the moral, political and personal consequences.

Macbeth agrees to frame Duncan’s drugged guards after killing the king.

Banquo tells Macbeth that he has dreamt of the witches, while Macbeth conceals his own intentions.

A bell rings, summoning Macbeth to commit the murder.

Horrified by his deed, Macbeth believes he has murdered sleep and cannot pray.

Lady Macbeth takes the daggers back, smears the sleeping guards with blood and leads Macbeth away.

Macbeth claims that grief and fury drove him to kill the bloodstained guards.

Malcolm and Donalbain secretly decide to escape separately, fearing they will be murdered next.

Ross and an old man recount unnatural darkness and violent disturbances following Duncan’s death.

Rather than attend Macbeth’s coronation, Macduff departs for his own castle.

Banquo privately suspects that Macbeth gained the crown through foul play.

Macbeth broods over the prophecy that Banquo’s descendants, rather than his own, will reign.

Macbeth orders two murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance that night.

Lady Macbeth confesses that gaining the crown has brought insecurity rather than happiness.

Macbeth hints at a terrible deed against Banquo but refuses to reveal his plan to his wife.

Three murderers attack Banquo and Fleance as they approach the palace.

Banquo dies urging Fleance to escape and seek revenge.

Fleance flees into the darkness, leaving the murderers’ task incomplete.

A murderer tells Macbeth that Banquo is dead but Fleance escaped.

After the guests leave, Macbeth resolves to consult the witches about his future.

Hecate chastises the witches for dealing with Macbeth without consulting her.

Hecate orders preparations for apparitions that will fill Macbeth with overconfidence.

Lennox speaks with bitter irony about the suspicious deaths surrounding Macbeth.

A lord reports that Macduff has joined Malcolm in England to request military aid against Macbeth.

A procession of kings descended from Banquo confirms that Banquo’s line will inherit the crown.

Learning that Macduff has fled to England, Macbeth resolves to seize his castle and kill his family.

Lady Macduff bitterly interprets her husband’s flight as abandonment and treachery.

An unnamed messenger urges Lady Macduff to flee with her children before danger arrives.

Macbeth’s killers stab Macduff’s son and pursue Lady Macduff as she flees.

Malcolm pretends to possess ruinous vices to determine whether Macduff truly serves Scotland.

Macduff’s despair for Scotland convinces Malcolm to retract his claims and trust him.

The doctor concludes that Lady Macbeth needs spiritual rather than medical help and orders close watch over her.

Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Lennox march towards Birnam Wood to unite with Malcolm’s English-backed army.

The nobles describe Macbeth as a hated tyrant whose royal title hangs loosely upon him.

Despite reports of the approaching army, Macbeth relies on the witches’ assurances of invulnerability.

Macbeth orders Seyton to arm him as he prepares to defend Dunsinane.

The doctor tells Macbeth that Lady Macbeth is troubled by disturbing thoughts beyond his medical skill.

Malcolm’s forces assemble near Birnam Wood before advancing upon Dunsinane.

Malcolm orders every soldier to cut and carry a branch to conceal the army’s numbers.

Shaken by the prophecy’s apparent fulfilment, Macbeth orders his forces into battle.

Malcolm orders the troops to throw down their leafy screens and reveal their strength.

Malcolm assigns Siward and young Siward to lead the first attack while he and Macduff command the rest.

Macbeth defeats young Siward in single combat and takes renewed confidence from the prophecy.

Macduff searches the battlefield for Macbeth, determined to avenge his slaughtered family.

Siward reports that Macbeth’s forces are yielding, and Malcolm’s army advances into the stronghold.

Macduff defeats and beheads Macbeth after their final combat.

The victors hail Malcolm as king, and he invites them to witness his coronation at Scone.