Macbeth

Macbeth

Period: Jan 1, 1414 to Jan 31, 1414

Act 1

Jan 2, 1414

Witches set everything in motion

Jan 3, 1414

Battle against the rebellion *

Jan 4, 1414

This battle is the first major event of the play.In this battle Macbeth showed high levels of bravery as portrayed through this line "For brave Macbeth well he deserves that name" Act 1 Scene 2 Line 18. This rebellion was led by Macdonwald against King Duncan with the assistance of the King of Norway. Duncan's forces won the initial skirmish but soon faced a counter attack. Duncan's forces took a defensive stance and won the fight by the end of the battle Macdonwald was killed.

Thane of Cawdor is executed

Jan 5, 1414

Macbeth is given the prophecies by the witches

Jan 6, 1414

Macbeth is informed that he has gained the Thane of Cawdor title

Jan 7, 1414

Macbeth Sends a letter to Lady Macbeth *

Jan 8, 1414

After Macbeth met the witches he wrote a letter to Lady Macbeth. He told her about the prophecies and how one had already came true. It was this initial exchange of letters that would lead to the rest of the events in the story. Lady Macbeth pushed Macbeth to plot to kill Duncan "Art not without ambition ..." Act1scene 5line 18.this also displays that she believes the witches.This would prove to be a major mistake in the long run. Eventually this decision would end with both characters deaths.

Act 2

Jan 10, 1414

Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle

Jan 11, 1414

Duncan greets Lady Macbeth

Jan 12, 1414

Macbeth kills Duncan *

Jan 13, 1414

This can be considered the point of no return. While Macbeth originally did not want to carry out the murder, he was convinced by Lady Macbeth to do so. "Consider it not so deeply" Act2 Scene2 Line41. When he went to go kill Duncan Macbeth saw an apparition of a dagger before him. This helped convince him to commit the murder. Macbeth entered Duncan's chamber and stabbed him multiple times. But Macbeth heard a hawk scream and mistook it as a human scream and fled forgetting to leave the daggers.

Lady Macbeth returns the bloody daggers

Jan 14, 1414

Duncan's dead body is found

Jan 15, 1414

Duncan's two sons flee the country *

Jan 16, 1414

In the medieval ages it was common place for family members to kill the current king to take over the throne. With this in mind we can understand why Duncan's sons fled to England. They were worried that the blame for Duncan's murder would be placed upon them."What should be spoken here where our fate...Let's away" act 2 scene 3 Line 139,140,142. They proceeded to flee to England however along the way Donalblain was killed. This was very common thing that happened in the medieval ages.

Macbeth is crowned king *

Jan 17, 1414

When Macbeth is crowned king the story moves in another direction. After this event nothing goes as planned for Macbeth. The first half of the play all leads to this moment, all the plotting lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself has led to this pivotal moment. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he has to act normal and not draw attention."Be bright and jovial among our guests tonight" Act 3 Scene 2 Line 31. This shows us that Lady Macbeth is worried that people may believe that they killed Duncan.

Act 3

Jan 18, 1414

Macbeth has Banquo killed *

Jan 19, 1414

This is another pivotal moment of the play. The fact that Macbeth was willing to kill Banquo his long time friend says a lot about how Macbeth's mental state is changing. Macbeth says his reason for killing Banquo is that he is a threat to his reign "Our fears in Banquo stick deep" Act3 Scene2Line53-54. Banquo is seen as a threat because of his knowledge of the prophecies. One thing that Macbeth did not account for was the amount of suspicion that would be cast on him because of Banquo's death

Banquo's ghost appears at the dinner *

Jan 20, 1414

Earlier I mentioned how Macbeth had to just play it cool and nothing bad would happen, well this is the exact opposite. During his dinner party celebrating his crowning Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo his former friend who he just had killed. Upon seeing the ghost Macbeth freaked out and started to yell at it. Of course no one else can see this ghost he is yelling at and Lady Macbeth tries to come up with a cover story "... my lord is often thus and hauth been since his youth" Act3 Scene4 L 64

Macduff flees to England

Jan 21, 1414

Act 4

Jan 22, 1414

Witches give Macbeth another prophecy

Jan 23, 1414

Act 5

Jan 24, 1414

Macbeth has Macduff's family killed

Jan 25, 1414

Lady Macbeth kills herself

Jan 26, 1414

Siege of Macbeths castle begins *

Jan 27, 1414

Sieges were common place in the medieval ages. A siege involved an army surrounding a fortified place commonly a castle to force the defenders out by the means of starvation or illness. When Macbeth hears that Macduff is coming he plans to stay in his castle and let it be sieged. " ...our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn: here let them lie till famine and the ague eat them up" Act 5 Scene 5 Line 2-4. This quote also shows that Macbeth plans to out wait Macduff's army.

Macduff kills Macbeth * (quote is from Act 5 Scene 7 line 19-21 )

Jan 28, 1414

Instead of laying siege to the castle Macduff decide to rush the walls. This would be a costly choice but would allow him to avoid the long siege. Macbeth's forces were outnumbered and were no match for Macduff's force. Soon Macduff had breached the wall. Macbeth killed young Siward and then was approached by Macduff."Tyrant show thy face! if thou be'st slain and with no stroke of min my wife and children's ghosts will haunt we still"the fight resulted in Macbeth's death and the end of fighting.

Malcolm is crowned king *

Jan 29, 1414

Malcolm being crowned king is the final event of this story. It is fitting that Duncan's true heir would return and take down the tyrant that killed his father. Malcolm being crowned king shows a promising future for Scotland. Knowing that Macbeth's prophecies came true we can assume that Fleance or his kin will most likely become king after Malcolm."We will perform in measure, time, and place so thanks to all at once and to each one Whom we invite to see us crown'd at Scone" Act5Scene9Line45-48