Summary of “Macbeth”

Macbeth is on of the Scottish generals alongside Banquo during Duncan the Meek’s
reign as king of Scotland. Macbeth was a hero to the Scottish kingdom as he has
fought and won lots of battles with the army. As Macbeth and Banquo were
returning form their victorious battle, they were then stopped by the appearance of
3 strange women. These women were not the ordinary women as they had beards,
withered skins and also wild attire. The 3 unearthly creatures then prophesized that
Macbeth will be the next king of Scotland. They also told Macbeth that he was to be
the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth was very amazed due to the fact that the king’s sons
lived and he could never hope for the throne. Then the 3 women turned to Banquo
and told him that his sons however will rule the throne of Scotland. Then the 3
women vanished into thin air and then they were known as the three witches.

Macbeth and Banquo were greeted with a warm welcome and thanks, as they were
victorious. The prophecy about Macbeth being the thane of Cawdor came true as
many congratulated him for achieving that rank. Duncan then planned a party in
Macbeth’s castle. Macbeth then told his wife about what had happened on his
journey back home. His wife wanted the prophecy to come true and wanted the
glory of the throne along with her husband. So she planned to kill the king of
Scotland, Duncan during his sleep at the castle. Lady Macbeth then influenced his
husband into doing the act of killing Duncan. They made Duncan’s bodyguards
drunk and blacked out. Then they could blame the bodyguards fro Duncan’s death.
Macbeth then killed the king after seeing a vision of a bloody dagger. In the morning,
as Duncan’s death was spread throughout, Macbeth claimed the throne with ease.
Fearful of their demise as well, Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain fled to
England and Ireland respectively.

As Macbeth reigned the throne, he remembered the prophecy of the 3 witches about
Banquo’s son succeeding the throne after Macbeth. He was worried that it would
happen and decided to take care of them so that the prophecy won’t come true.
Macbeth then called upon a group of murderers to kill Banquo and his son. The
murderers managed to kill Banquo but Fleance managed to escape his demise.
Frustrated by Fleance being alive, Macbeth was still worried about his throne. At a
feast that night, the ghost of Banquo whom terrified him so much visited Macbeth
that he startled the guests. Macbeth’s kingship was increasingly gaining more
resistance from Scottish nobles and subjects. Macbeth then went back to the witches
cave to ask for further prophecies. To summon them, Macbeth created a n offering
filled with the most disgusting and weird items. The 3 witches then appeared before
him. The witches explain to Macbeth that he should worry about a Scottish
nobleman named Macduff. The witches state that any man born of woman can’t
harm him, and he will be safe till Birnam Wood reaches Dunsinane castle. He felt
relieved because no forest can move. He orders his men to kill Lady Macduff and her
family when he knew that Macduff joined Malcolm in England.
Macduff vows to have revenge after learning his family being murdered by Macbeth.
He joins Malcolm in his assault to Scotland to challenge the forces of Macbeth. Lady
Macbeth has been plagued with sleepwalking and notices blood in her hands. News
comes to Macbeth that his wife, Lady Macbeth had killed herself. Macbeth sinks into
fear, despair and becomes pessimistic of victory. He then was still confident of his
safety since the woods can’t move to Dunsinane castle. So he waited the English
army to arrive in Dunsinane Castle. He then is struck with fear as he learns that the
English army has shielded themselves from boughs cut from trees in Birnam Woods.
The forest is moving towards Dunsinane castle, which fulfills half of the witches’
prophecy.

Macbeth joins the battle in Dunsinane castle along with his men. He cuts violently in
the fight. He then found the vengeful Macduff in the midst of the fight. Macduff then
tells him that he is not of woman born and that he is untimely ripped from his
mother’s womb. This causes Macbeth to be ultimately scared and feel doomed.
However, Macbeth didn’t give up and kept on fighting bravely against the Scottish
nobleman Macduff. The prophecy of the 3 witches has come true as Macbeth was
killed and beheaded by the mighty Macduff. A man not born of woman and the
Birnam woods moved to the Dunsinane castle harmed him. Malcolm, the new king
declared his good act and crowned the nobleman Macduff at Scone.

Oscar