Synopsis

Act I.

A thunderstorm is dying down.  The witches announce that Macbeth has arrived.  He approaches with Banquo, The witches greet Macbeth in three ways:  as the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor and the King of all Scotland.  Since Macbeth is only the thane of Glamis at this time, he is taken aback and confused.  Banquo asks the witches to foretell his future, they answer: “you will be lesser yet greater than Macbeth, happier than he and the father of kings.”  Then the witches move away, and messengers arrive from Duncan, the King of Scotland.  They announce that the thane of Cawdor has been killed and that Macbeth has been chosen to receive the title.  Macbeth is deeply amazed, and wonders if the rest of the prophecies will come true.  In the hall of the family castle, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband that tells her of the prophecy.  She understands that her husband would like to become king but fears that he will not be bold enough, and pledges to use all her cunning to help him.  When Macbeth arrives, she tells him that King Duncan is on the way to the castle and urges him to act.  Duncan and his entourage enter and are shown to their chambers.  During the night, Macbeth sneaks into the King’s chamber, and Lady Macbeth hears her husband’s voice.  A moment later he arrives, terrified and holding a bloody dagger.  Lady Macbeth quickly places the dagger in Duncan’s room and dabs the servants with blood to incriminate them.  She drags her husband away and knocking is heard at the door.  Banquo and Macduff arrive to wake the king; they emerge horror-stricken and announce his murder.

Act II.

Macbeth confesses to his wife that he is troubled; he has won the throne of Scotland by killing Duncan, but now fears the other prophecy of the witches, which foretold that Banquo would be the father of all kings. He decides that Banquo and his son must be killed to prevent the prophecy from taking place; Lady Macbeth is clearly shaken.  Assassins prepare an ambush in Macbeth’s grounds, and hide in the trees in wait for Banquo and his soon.  The two enter and Banquo is struck.  His son flees.  In the meantime, a sumptuous banquet is prepared to celebrate the new king.  At the banquet, one of the assassins tells Macbeth that Banquo is dead but that his son has escaped.  At that moment, the ghost of Banquo appears, shocking the guests.  Lady Macbeth tries to distract the guests by proposing a toast, and tells Macbeth that he must maintain his courage; the dead cannot return.

Act III.

The witches are in their cave, busily stirring an enormous cauldron.  Hecate, along with devils and spirits, announces to the witches that Macbeth is about to arrive and the ruin that awaits him cannot be postponed much longer. Macbeth arrives and asks the witches to tell him about his future, since he is frightened by the vision of Banquo’s ghost.  He learns that he must be wary of Macduff.  Then, a voice tells him that no man born of woman can harm him, and also tells him that he will keep his crown until he sees the Birnam Wood march against him.  Macbeth asks if Banquo’s line is destined to reign, and Bagpipe music is heard and eight kings appear followed by Banquo holding a mirror.  Macbeth tries to attack them but collapses.  The spirits and witches dance around him.  He finally awakes in his wife’s arms.  They try to console one another and agree that they need only kill Macduff and Banquo’s son to keep their power.

Act IV.

Scottish fugitives and rebels recall the oppression by the bloody tyrant king Macbeth as they hide on the border dividing Scotland and England, not far from Birnam Wood.  Madcuff weeps and recalls the loss of his wife and children who were slain by Macbeth.  He swears that he will avenge his family.  Malcolm, son of the dead King Duncan arrives and leads a group of English soldiers.  He orders his men to hide in the bushes and prepares for attack.  Lady Macbeth, being looked over by a doctor and a lady-in-waiting, is in her castle in a state of madness and describes the murders while she tries to clean her hands of blood.  In another hall, Macbeth is preparing for the battle.  He is certain he will be victorious.  A messenger tells him that his wife has died, and he remains unmoved.  A group of soldiers arrive bringing terrible news:  Birnam Wood is moving.  Macbeth leaves to fight.  The English soldiers advance slowly, each carrying a tree branch.  Malcolm signals the attack; the men break cover and charge.  Macbeth and Macduff fight.  Macduff tells Macbeth that he was torn prematurely from his mother’s womb and was not, therefore, born of woman.  The battle rages and a group of Scottish women appear, announcing victory.  All the prophecies have been fulfilled; Macduff has killed Macbeth in battle, and Malcom is the new King of Scotland.