Macbeth Plot

Question 1

Summarise the events in Act 1 Scene 1

Answer 1

The witches gather, planning to meet Macbeth after the battle

Question 2

Summarise the events in act 1 scene 2

Answer 2

A wounded soldier tells Duncan about Macbeth’s bravery
King Duncan announces the traitorous thane of Cawdor will be executed and Macbeth will be given his title

Question 3

Summarise the events in act 1 scene 3

Answer 3

The witches tell Macbeth and Banquo their prophecy
Ross arrives and announces that Duncan has named Macbeth the new thane of Cawdor

Question 4

Summarise the events in act 1 scene 4

Answer 4

Duncan names Malcolm the heir to the throne, and then announces his plan to visit Macbeth’s castle
Macbeth notes that Malcolm is an obstacle to him gaining the throne

Question 5

Summarise the events in act 1 scene 5

Answer 5

Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband, describing his encounter with the witches
She plans to commit regicide when she hears that the king will be visiting the castle
When Macbeth arrives, it appears they love and respect each other
Lady Macbeth says she will take charge of everything

Question 6

Summarise the events in act 1 scene 6

Answer 6

Duncan arrives at the castle and comments on its lovely setting
Lady Macbeth behaves like the perfect hostess

Question 7

Summarise the events in act 1 scene 7

Answer 7

Macbeth debates the idea of killing the king
Lady Macbeth questions his decision, emotionally blackmails him and belittles him

Question 8

Summarise the events in act 2 scene 1

Answer 8

On his way to kill the king, Macbeth briefly meets banquo and his son, Fleance
Banquo says he had a dream about the witches but Macbeth claims that he doesn’t think about them
Macbeth has a vision of a dagger

Question 9

Summarise the events in act 2 scene 2

Answer 9

Macbeth is full of fear and panic after he has committed the murder
He thinks he will never be able to rest or pray again
Lady Macbeth is more controlled and plants the daggers on the guards herself

Question 10

Summarise the events in act 2 scene 3

Answer 10

Lennox and Macduff arrive at Macbeth’s castle and the murder of king Duncan is discovered
Macbeth kills the guards so they cannot be questioned
Lady Macbeth faints to draw attention away from her husband
Malcolm and Donalbain run away and are suspected of plotting the murder

Question 11

Summarise the events in act 2 scene 4

Answer 11

Ross and an old man are describing the recent disturbances in nature, linking to what Macbeth has done
Macduff arrives and reveals that Malcolm and donalbain are suspected of paying the guards to kill their father so they could take the throne
Macduff decides not to attend Macbeth’s coronation, which suggests he has doubts about Macbeth’s innocence

Question 12

Summarise the events in act 3 scene 1

Answer 12

Macbeth fears Banquo and does not want banquo’s children to succeed him as king
Macbeth gives two men instructions to kill Banquo and his son Fleance

Question 13

Summarise the events in act 3 scene 2

Answer 13

Lady Macbeth is worried about Macbeth’s behaviour as he is still troubled by the murder of Duncan
She encourages him to act more cheerfully at the celebration feast

Question 14

Summarise the events in act 3 scene 3

Answer 14

The murderers attack Banquo and his son
Fleance escapes but his father is killed

Question 15

Summarise the events in act 3 scene 4

Answer 15

Macbeth and lady Macbeth hold a banquet as king and queen
The murderer reports banquo’s death but Macbeth is disturbed to hear that Fleance escaped
Macbeth sees banquo’s ghost and loses control in front of his guests
Lady Macbeth tries but fails to calm him down and keep order

Question 16

Summarise the events in act 3 scene 5

Answer 16

The leader of the witches, Hecate, is angry about not being told about their encounter with Macbeth
She believes they have helped him become king but have gained nothing themselves
She makes a plan to draw him on to his own downfall

Question 17

Summarise the events in act 3 scene 6

Answer 17

Features Lennox talking to another lord
He describes the events of the play so far and shows his suspicions about Macbeth
Lennox reveals that Macduff has gone to England to raise an army to defeat Macbeth

Question 18

Summarise the events in act 4 scene 1

Answer 18

Macbeth revisits the witches
They tell Macbeth to be aware of Macduff and they also state that Macbeth cannot be harmed by anyone a woman has given birth to
The witches’ visions trick Macbeth into feeling over-confident
Macbeth gives orders for Macduff’s entire family to be murdered

Question 19

Summarise the events in act 4 scene 2

Answer 19

Lady Macduff and her children are murdered

Question 20

Summarise the events in act 4 scene 3

Answer 20

In England Malcolm and Macduff discuss what a terrible place Scotland has become under the reign of Macbeth
Ross arrives and reluctantly reveals the murder of Macduff’s wife and children, Macduff vows to kill Macbeth
The act ends with Malcolm and his new allies preparing for war

Question 21

Summarise the events in act 5 scene 1

Answer 21

A doctor and Lady Macbeth’s maid watch Lady Macbeth sleepwalking
Showing her guilt, she continually mimes washing her hands, saying they are covered in blood, and revealing details about the terrible things she and Macbeth have done

Question 22

Summarise the events in act 5 scene 2

Answer 22

Lennox and other lords are marching with their soldiers towards Birnam Wood to meet with Malcolm and Macduff’s army

Question 23

Summarise the events in act 5 scene 3

Answer 23

Macbeth has heard that more lords have deserted him. However, he refers to the witches’ visions and believes he is invincible
A messenger arrives and reveals news of the approach of Malcolm’s army

Question 24

Summarise the events in act 5 scene 4

Answer 24

Malcolm orders his soldiers to cut down the branches of Birnam Wood and use them to disguise the size of their army from Macbeth

Question 25

Summarise the events in act 5 scene 5

Answer 25

Macbeth is brought the news of Lady Macbeth’s death
He is also given the news that Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane Castle
He realises he has been tricked by the witches but bravely stirs his soldiers into battle

Question 26

Summarise the events in act 5 scenes 6-9

Answer 26

The battle begins; Macbeth fights well and eventually confronts Macduff, still believing he cannot be harmed
Macduff kills Macbeth
Malcolm is named the rightful King of Scotland