Major Events In Macbeth

Brave Macbeth

1 CE

To start off, a battle between the Thane of Cawdor and The King of Norway is going on, Macdonwald turns out to be a traitor. Because of Macbeth and Banquo the battle was won. Macbeth killed the traitor and then earned his tittle. The text says "Brave Macbeth... chopped his way through to Macdonwald" (Shakespeare 5). Macbeth saved Malcolm, the kings son, and when another kingdom attacked while the Scotland army was weak, Macbeth and Banquo fought to the end and won that battle as well.

Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches

2

When returning home from a battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches. They tell Macbeth that he will be thane of Glamis, and the future king of Scotland. They tell Banquo that he will be lesser than Macbeth but also greater, not as happy as Macbeth yet much happier, and his descendants will be kings even though he will not be one. Macbeth then, tells them he wants to know more, but the witches vanish.

Macbeth kills Duncan

3

In Act one, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill the king so the witches prophecy can come true. The prophecy said that Macbeth will be king. At first Macbeth was not sure if the plan was a good idea but eventually he agreed. King Duncan comes over to Macbeth's castle to have dinner and stay for the night. While he is sleeping, Macbeth sneaks over to Duncan's room and kills him. The guards were to blame because Lady Macbeth caused them to be drunk and put the bloody dagger by them.

Macbeth is the king of Scotland

4

Macbeth is the thane of Cawdor and Glamis and the king of Scotland. Banquo suspects he created to win these titles. Macbeth is feeling a lot of remorse but Lady Macbeth is just fine with what they did.

Macbeth plans and kills Banquo

5

Macbeth begins his plans for murdering his best friend Banquo and his son Fleance, because Macbeth thinks Banquo is the greatest threat to his reign. He fears Banquo because of the witches second prophecy which says that Banquo's decedents will rule Scotland. So Macbeth hires three murderers who hate Banquo, to go out and kill him and his son. They manage to kill Banquo but not his son.

Macbeth goes back to the witches

6

Macbeth goes back to the witches who tell him some more prophecies, which seem to him to mean that he will be king until his natural death. The prophecies are:
Macbeth will have to beware the Thane of Fife, Macduff.
Macbeth will not be killed by any man birthed by a woman.
Macbeth will be king until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane Castle.
After that, Macbeth receives news that Macduff has left Scotland, and orders their entire family killed.

The death of Macduff's wife and children

7

Macbeth sends a murderer to kill Macduff’s wife and children. He does this because they stand in line for his inheritance. Then plans to raid Macduff's castle and seize the town of Fife. Macduff hears the news and together with Duncan’s son Malcolm go to invade Scotland and overthrow Macbeth, with the help of England.

Birnam wood marches to meet Macbeth

8

First, Lady Macbeth dies off screen, stunning Macbeth. He is feeling sadness mixed with regret. He is interrupted then by a messenger who tells Macbeth that Birnam Wood is moving towards the castle fulfilling the third prophecy. In reality, it’s just Malcolm and Macduff’s army camouflaged inside Birnam Wood. The solders broke off branches to make the illusion that Birnam wood is moving.

Lady Macbeth walks, talks, and washes her hands in her sleep

9

A gentlewomen and doctor watch Lady Macbeth because the gentlewomen is worried about her. They watch Lady Macbeth walk, talk, and wash her hands while she is sleeping. The doctor says that this is because of a guilty mind and people will sometimes confess their secrets in their sleep. It is irony because Lady Macbeth once said it was easy to forget your crimes.

Macduff kills Macbeth

10

Macduff enters Macbeth's castle searching for him. When Macduff finds him, he tells Macduff that no man of woman born can kill him, Macduff reveals he was born by cesarean section, fulfilling the second prophecy. Macduff then kills Macbeth, fulfilling the first prophecy and crowns Malcolm king of Scotland.