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Apr 26, 1268
Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair...
Three witches are seen in an open field in the middle of a thunderstorm. The witches discuss when they shall meet again, and they each decide to meet after the war between the Scottish and Irish armies has ended in order to cross paths with Macbeth. Their motive to meet Macbeth is not yet addressed. -
Apr 27, 1268
2. The Witches' Prophecies
As the war has came to an end, Macbeth and Banquo come across three witches in an open field. At first, Banquo is scared of the witches' appearance, but Macbeth is intrigued to hear what they have to say. The three witches hail to Macbeth as the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor, and the future king of Scotland. Macbeth is hesitant to believe these words, and Banquo asks the witches to predict his future. The witches respond by saying that Banquo's sons will be kings. The witches vanished. -
Apr 27, 1268
3. Thane of Cawdor
After Macbeth and Banquo finish their encounter with the witches, Ross and Angus come forth to tell Macbeth that he will now be named the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is greatly confused, but he is amazed at the fact that the witches' prophecy came true, and he wonders if he will be the future king as well. The men depart for Forres, and the two soldiers agree to discuss the prophecies at another time. -
Apr 27, 1268
1. A Knight's Tale
King Duncan and his lords listen to the heroic tale of how Macbeth and Banquo bravely fought against the Irish army and led the Scottish army after they beheaded Macdonwald, the Irish king. Ross, a thane, tells the king that the thane of Cawdor has betrayed Scotland by assisting the Norwegian army, but that Macbeth's fighting skills destroyed his enemies and led the Scottish army to victory. King Duncan vows to name Macbeth the thane of Cawdor for his brave actions. -
Apr 28, 1268
A Joyous Reunion
Duncan hears that the previous thane of Cawdor's execution was successful, and he then properly thanks Banquo and Macbeth for being courageous in leading the Scottish army to its victory against the Irish. Malcolm is named the heir to the throne, and Macbeth notices that he stands in his way to becoming the future king to fulfill the prophecy. Macbeth invites Duncan to dine at his castle. -
Apr 29, 1268
2. "Pants" continued...
castle, and he tells Lady Macbeth that king Duncan will spend the night at their castle that night. Lady Macbeth mentions that the king will never live to see tomorrow, and that Macbeth must be patient and leave the plan to her. -
Apr 29, 1268
1. Lady Macbeth "Wears the Pants" in the Relationship
At Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth recieves a letter from her husband. In the letter, Macbeth mentions that he is now the thane of Cawdor and that the witches said that he would be the future king of Scotland. Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is too compassionate and kind to ever knock people down to get what he wants, and she asks the spirits to "unsex" her and make her more masucline so that she can do away with Duncan herself and help Macbeth earn his spot as king. Macbeth arrives at his... -
Apr 29, 1268
5. Duncan's Arrival
King Duncan and his Scottish lords arrive at Macbeth's castle. Duncan praises the castle's pleasant environment, and he thanks Lady Macbeth for allowing them to stay the night. Lady Macbeth replies by saying that it is her duty to serve the king, and she brings him into the castle to show Macbeth to him -
Apr 29, 1268
4. "Man Up" Continued...
agrees to go forth with the plan (Lady Macbeth will poison the guards, Macbeth will kill Duncan while the guards are asleep, and then Lady Macbeth will smear the blood of Duncan onto the guards). -
Apr 29, 1268
3. "Man Up" Macbeth!
Macbeth nervously paces the floor of his castle as he contemplates whether or not he should kill Duncan; he says that this horrible deed will lead to terrible consequences, and that he should not kill Duncan because he is his cousin, guest, and king. He refuses to listen to his ambition. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he is a coward and that he needs to "man up" and kill Duncan so that he can become the king of Scotland. Lady Macbeth then tells Macbeth her plan of how to kill Duncan, and he... -
Apr 30, 1268
2. "Will All Great Neptune's Ocean Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand?"
Lady Macbeth stands outside of Duncan's room nervously as Macbeth murder the king. Macbeth emerges from the room with his hands covered in blood, and he appears shocked. He said that he could not say "amen", and that he heard a voice cry "sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep". Lady Macbeth becomes angry and finishes rearranging the daggers to set up the guards for the murder. She returns with blood on her hands, and she chastises Macbeth for being so cowardly when she has gained composure. -
Apr 30, 1268
4. Duncan's Body is Discovered Continued...
Lady Macbeth suddenly faints to distract the lords from Macbeth's stressed actions, and she is tended to accordingly. Malcolm flees to England, while Donalbain runs to Ireland for sanctuary. -
Apr 30, 1268
1. Last Chance to Turn Back
At midnight, Banquo and Fleance run into Macbeth in the castle halls. Banquo says that he cannot sleep because he has cursed thoughts, and that he dreams of the three witches. They agree to discuss the issue more at another time. The two characters leave, and Macbeth is alone when he visions a dagger floating in the air with the handle pointing toward him with the tip toward Duncan. The dagger is bloody, but he pushes it aside of just a manifestation. Then, he goes in for the kill. -
Apr 30, 1268
3. Duncan's Body is Discovered
A drunken porter humorously stumbles to the door of Macbeth's castle to let in Macduff and Lennox. Macduff asks Macbeth if the king is awake, to which he replies that Duncan is still asleep. Lennox describes the furocious storm that occured last night, and Macduff runs out of the king's room shouting that a murder has been committed. Malcolm and Donalbain arrive at the scene, but agree to separate themselves in fear that they will be killed next. Macbeth, in rage, kills the guards they framed... -
May 1, 1268
Frightening Events After the Murder
Ross and an old man walk outside of Macbeth's castle and discuss the strange events that occurred after Duncan's murder. They recall saying that it always feels dark, that an owl killed a falcon, and that Duncan's horses ate one another. Macduff runs into them and says that Macbeth has been named the king of Scotland. -
May 2, 1268
1. The Murder of Banquo
Banquo realizes that since the witches' prophecy that Macbeth would be the king came true, then the prophecy that his own sons will be kings should come true, as well. Macbeth enters and asks Banquo to attend a feast that he will host that night; Banquo accepts the invitation, but he goes out to ride his horse before then. Macbeth, in fear that the prophecy of Banquo's sons will come true, hires hitmen to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. The murderers, who are convinced that Banquo is... -
May 2, 1268
2. The Murder of Banquo Continued...
that Banquo is the source of their misery, ride at night to kill Banquo and his son. The murderers ambush the two while they ride to Macbeth's house, and Banquo is murdered. Fleance runs away. -
May 2, 1268
3. One Down, Many To Go
Prior to the murder of Banquo, Lady Macbeth and her husband discuss their discontent about the murder of Duncan. Macbeth says that their business will not be done until all possible heirs to the throne are eliminated. He tells Lady Macbeth that he has sent murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance, and he urges her to be jovial during the feast. -
May 2, 1268
4. Banquo's Ghost
At Macbeth's feast, the lords greet their new king and queen. Prior to sitting down, Macbeth hears from the murderers that Banquo is dead but that Fleance has excaped; Macbeth is angered at the escape of Fleance, and he says that if he had died, then his throne would have been secure. When Macbeth returns to the feast, he visions Banquo's ghost sitting in his seat. He panics and runs out of the room. Lady Macbeth runs after him and calls him a coward and questions his manhood. When Macbeth... -
May 2, 1268
5. Banquo's Ghost Continued...
returns to the table to toast the feast properly, he sees Banquo's ghost again. Macbeth panics once again, and Lady Macbeth reassures her guests that the king is alright and that he has an illness that makes him have panic attacks. She sends the lords home, and the ghost vanishes. Macbeth tells his wife that he will visit the witches the next day in order to see who may be plotting against him. He resolves to do whatever is necessary to keep his seat at the throne. -
May 2, 1268
6. Undercover Rebellion
Later that night, Lennox and another lord discussed what has happened to Scotland under Macbeth's reign. Both men suspect that Macbeth was involved in the murders of both Duncan and Banquo. The lord tells Lennox that Macduff has ran off to England in order to join Malcolm and ask for King Edward's aid in overthrowing Macbeth. Lennox and the lord wish to help Malcolm and Macduff in saving Scotland from Macbeth's tyrannical reign. -
May 3, 1268
1. Double, Double, Toil and Trouble
Macbeth goes to see the three witches and he demanded that they reveal the truth of their prophecies to him. The witches summon apparitions to allay Macbeth's fears. The first apparition is a floating head wearing an armored helmet; he tells Macbeth to beware Macduff. The second apparition is a bloody child; he tells Macduff that no one born of woman can kill him. The third apparition is a child wearing a crown and holding a tree; he says that Macbeth will never be defeated until Birnam Wood... -
May 3, 1268
2. Double, Double, Toil and Trouble Continued...
marches on Dunsinane Hill. After the apparitions disappear, eight crowned kings walk in front of Macbeth. Banquo follows the eight kings, and they dissappear. Macbeth demands to know what happened and what it means, but the witches dissapper. Lennox enters and tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England; Macbeth resolves to send murderers to capture Macduff's castle and to kill Macduff's wife and children. -
May 4, 1268
The Death of Macduff's Family
At Macduff's castle, Lady Macduff demands to know why her husbland has fled to England. Ross insists that she trust her husband's judgment, and then he leaves. Lady Macduff then tells her son that Macduff is dead, but the son argues that he is still alive. A messenger runs in to warn Lady Macduff that danger is near, but she ignores him. Just then, murderers enter the room and murder the family and their servants. -
May 5, 1268
1. Malcolm and Macduff Join Forces
In England, Malcolm and Macduff converse with one another. Malcolm tells Macduff that he does not trust him since he left his family and may be secretly working for Macbeth. Malcolm tests Macduff's nobility to Scotland by rambling on about his faults, which are that he is lustful, greedy, and violent. Macduff shoves aside Malcolm's problems, but eventually he weeps for Scotland's safety. His loyalty to Scotland leads Macduff to agree that Malcolm is not fit to run the country. Macduff passes... -
May 5, 1268
2. Malcolm and Macduff Join Forces Continued...
Malcolm's test of loyalty, and he takes back all of his lies. The two join together as a force to fight Macbeth. Ross enters the scene and tells Macduff that his family has been murdered. Malcolm says that he can avenge his family by fighting against Macbeth. Macduff assures him that he will inflict revenge upon Macbeth. -
May 6, 1268
Lady Macbeth Sleepwalks
A gentlewoman and a doctor wait in the halls of Dunsinane at night. The gentlewoman tells the doctor that Lady Macbeth sleepwalks. As soon as their conversation ends, Lady Macbeth enters the scene with a candle in her hand. She moans about the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo as she washes imaginary blood off of her hands. She leaves the scene, and the doctor tells the gentlewoman to remove harmful objects from her reach, and that only a priest can save her. -
May 7, 1268
The English Army Assembles
A group of Scottish lords address that the English army approaches, led by Malcolm, and the Scottish army will meet them near Birnam Wood to join forces with them against Macbeth. Macbeth, who is also known as a "tyrant", has fortified Dunsinane Castle and is making military preparations. -
May 8, 1268
1. Birnam Wood
Malcolm talks with Siward and the English officers about MAcbeth's plan to defend the castle. Malcolm orders that each English soldier cut down a branch of the Birnam Wood and carry it in front of him as they march to the castle, which will confuse Macbeth's guards and disguise their numbers. -
May 8, 1268
2. Macbeth Realizes His Downfall
Macbeth boasts that his castle will remain untouched by the enemy, but then he hears a woman's cry in the background. Seyton, his servant, appears to tell Macbeth that his wife has committed suicide. Macbeth goes on to talk to himself about the passage of time and that life is a tale that signifies nothing. A messenger runs in and tells Macbeth that Birnam Wood is advancing toward Dunsinane. Terrified, Macbeth declares that he is tired of the sun and that he will die fighting. The war begins. -
May 8, 1268
3. The Death of a Tyrant
Macbeth emerges onto the battlefield and manages to kills English soldiers and Siward's son. Macbeth then encounters Macduff, who is eager to avenge the death of his family. They fight, and when Macbeth tells Macduff that he will not die because no one born of woman can kill him, Macduff replies by saying that he was born of caesarian, which goes against the witches' prophecy. Macduff beheads Macbeth, and peace is restored to Scotland as Malcolm takes the throne.
