Macbeth Resources Page
Summary
of the action in Macbeth
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Two great scottish generals, Macbeth and Banquo, are returning
from a victory over Norwegian and rebel forces.
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They meet three witches, who greet Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor,
and predict that he will be King of Scotland. To Banquo they say that his
descendants will one day be kings.
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Macbeth soon finds that the first part of the prediction
has already come true, and with the encouragement of his wife, he plans
the murder of the present King, Duncan.
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Duncan comes to stay at Macbeth's castle and the brutal deed
is soon done. Duncans two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee in fear of
their lives.
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Macbeth is crowned King, but finds that one murder is not
enough, as Banquo is suspicious of him.
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Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance.
However, Fleance escapes and Banquo's ghost returns to haunt Macbeth, and
helps to reveal his guilt.
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Macbeth consults the witches once more, and they utter more
prophecies warning him against Macduff, but convincing him that he is invincible.
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He will never be killed 'by one of woman born', and cannot
be defeated till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
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By now he seems completely evil.
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Macduff flees to England where he joins Malcolm in raising
an army against Macbeth, so the tyrant kills Macduff's wife and children.
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The guilt begins to prey on Lady Macbeth's mind, and she
goes mad and dies.
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The final conflict begins and Macbeth is stunned to see the
prophecies come true in unexpected ways.
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The soldiers cut branches from Birnam Wood and carry them
as camouflage, and Macduff is a man not 'born of woman', as he was cut
from his mother's womb.
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Finally, Macbeth is killed by Macduff, Malcolm is made King,
and order is restored to the country.
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