MACBETH (PLAY).
Overview
Shakespeare used elements from history to write his ‘Scottish play.’ The plot is based on the battles
for power and control in Scotland in the 11th century. While Macbeth was a real king, the play
should be read as an act of imagination rather than as history.
The play starts with three witches speaking in riddles as they discuss their intention to meet with
Macbeth. The audience realises that they intend to meddle with the ruling of Scotland.
The Scottish King Duncan and his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, are in a military camp. They
receive news that the generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated an invading army from Ireland
and one from Norway.
Macbeth and Banquo encounter the witches on the heath. They tell Macbeth, who is currently
Thane of Glamis, that he will be made Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his bravery in battle and that
eventually he will be King of Scotland. They also say that future Scottish kings will be Banquo’s
descendants, but Banquo will never be king himself.
Macbeth and Banquo are sceptical about these prophecies but when Macbeth is made Thane of
Cawdor, the witches’ words carry more weight for him. He starts to believe that he will become King
of Scotland too until King Duncan proclaims his son Malcolm as heir to the throne.
Lady Macbeth is not content with Macbeth just being Thane of Cawdor, so she persuades him to
murder King Duncan while he is staying in their castle. Macbeth worries about the evil of such an act,
but Lady Macbeth convinces him that it is necessary. She gives the king’s guards wine so that they
pass out and then signals to Macbeth to enter the room where King Duncan is sleeping. Macbeth
fatally stabs the king and regrets it almost immediately.
The next morning, Macduff finds King Duncan’s body and alerts everyone. Macbeth blames the
guards and kills them in his ‘fury’. Malcolm and Donalbain flee Scotland because they believe their
own lives are now in danger and, in their absence, Macbeth becomes king.
Macbeth soon starts to worry that the witches’ prophecy means that Banquo is a threat to his
power. He arranges the murder of Banquo and his son Fleance but Fleance escapes. Macbeth is
furious because he believes his rule is still threatened if Fleance is alive.
Later at the feast, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost. His obvious horror is noticed by the other guests at
the banquet. Lady Macbeth tries to excuse his behaviour by saying that he has ‘fits’ but there is
much suspicion about Macbeth. While Lady Macbeth is exhausted from the tension, Macbeth
realises that Macduff, who did not attend the feast despite being ordered to, is his next threat and is
determined to get rid of him too. He knows he cannot turn back from his trajectory of evil and he
vows to be more decisive and less hesitant.
Macbeth goes to see the witches again who confirm that the sons of Banquo will rule in Scotland.
Macbeth learns that he is safe from harm until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle and until he
meets an enemy "not born of woman". This gives Macbeth confidence because he interprets this to
mean no human can harm him as everyone has to have had a mother who gave birth to them. He is
also warned about Macduff who does not believe Macbeth should be king.
When Macbeth hears that Macduff has deserted him and fled to England, he orders the destruction
of Macduff’s castle and the killing of everyone in it, including Macduff’s wife and children.
In England, Macduff receives the news of the murder of his family. Overcome with grief and guilt,
Macduff vows revenge, and joins Malcolm in building his army against Macbeth. Malcolm’s plan for
invasion is supported by the Scottish nobles who realise that Macbeth is a dangerous tyrant.
Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth starts sleepwalking and obsessively trying to wash imaginary blood off
her hands. Her conscience has clearly disturbed her mental health and her doctor decides that she is
suicidal.
Just before the English and rebel Scottish armies arrive, Macbeth hears news that Lady Macbeth has
killed herself. He despairs about his loss but also believes he is invincible. Only when he sees the
English army advancing with their disguise of branches from Birnam Wood does he feel fear.
Once the English army has overwhelmed Macbeth’s army, Macduff and Macbeth meet and Macduff
reveals that he was born by caesarean section, which means he was not “born of woman” in the
usual sense of natural birth. Although he knows that he is doomed, Macbeth fights with desperation
to avoid being captured alive. Macduff beheads him.
In the final scene of the play, Malcolm is crowned the King of Scotland.
