Act I

Macbeth and Banquo have been victorious in battle. When King Duncan hears of their courage and devotion, he is very pleased. He sentenced the Thane of Cawdor to death for treason, and sends messengers to tell Macbeth that he is appointed the new thane. Meanwhile, returning from battle, Macbeth and Banquo encounter three witches, who greet him as the Thane of Cawdor and tell him that he will someday be king. The witches also tell Banquo that his kin will be kings. Macbeth demands to know why the witches call him Thane of Cawdor, but they disappear before they answer. Moments later the messengers arrive and announce to Macbeth that he has been appointed Thane of Cawdor. Impressed by the truth of the witch's prophecies, Macbeth begins to wonder if he will, indeed, be king. Duncan appoints Malcolm to be the heir to the throne, and plans to visit Macbeth's home. Lady Macbeth plots out his murder, and eventually convinces Macbeth to accept the plan.  

Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed the king to fulfill the prophecy. Concerned that the royal crown will not remain in his family, and to insure that Banquo's children are not kings instead of his children, Macbeth arranges for the murder of both Banquo and his son, Fleance. Banquo is killed when the murderers attack, but Fleance escapes. Macbeth's conscience continues to eat away at him, and Lady Macbeth is eventually forced to send their guests away, as Macbeth keeps seeing hallucinations of Banquo's ghost. Lennox sends a messenger to seek Macduff's help in overthrowing Macbeth.

Macbeth returns to question the witches about his future. The witches conjure up three apparitions, which tell him that he should fear Macduff, that he cannot be killed by anyone born "of woman," and that he will be king until Birnam Woods come to Dunsinane.  Macbeth is assured by these prophecies until the witches show him a line up of kings all in the image of Banquo. He decides to kill Macduff. When he finds that Macduff has gone to England, he arranges for the murder of Macduff's entire household instead.  Meanwhile, Macduff fines Malcolm and tries to convince him to return to Scotland and take his place as the rightful king. After Malcolm tests Macduff to make sure he is loyal, Malcolm reveals that the king of England has provided ten thousand troops to invade Scotland to overthrow Macbeth.  When Macduff learns of his families murder, he swears vengeance upon Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth, overwhelmed with guilt, begins walking in her sleep and washing her hands as she relives the horrors of carrying out Duncan's murder. Macbeth is informed of the English forces against him, but doesn't worry. He feels protected by the prophecies. He is worried about Lady Macbeth, who eventually dies, completely insane with guilt.
Meanwhile, the armies prepare their approach towards the castle, carrying boughs of woods from Birnam woods to conceal their numbers.
Macduff finds Macbeth. When Macbeth announces that he cannot be killed by any born of woman, Macduff reveals that technically, he was not born from his mother, as he was brought into the world by means of a sea section. At this news, Macbeth is afraid to fight, but the battle begins. Macduff kills Macbeth and puts his head on a stick. Malcolm is pronounced king.