Understanding Macbeth

Macbeth is a five-act tragedy written by the British playwright William Shakespeare in 1606.

The play centres on the Scottish general Macbeth, originally depicted as a noble warrior loyal to King Duncan. Macbeth and his friend Banquo meet three cryptic witches who make three prophecies:

  • Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor
  • Later, Macbeth will become the King of Scotland
  • Banquo will not be king himself but will father future kings

Macbeth, encouraged by these predictions and his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, murders King Duncan and takes the throne. However, his reign is overshadowed by guilt, fear and the paranoia of losing power. 

To ensure his safety, Macbeth arranges the murder of Banquo and his son Fleance. However, Fleance narrowly escapes. Consumed by guilt, Lady Macbeth descends into madness and ultimately ends her own life. Macbeth also targets the noble Macduff family, ordering their murder when Macduff flees to England.

An infuriated Macduff allies with Malcolm, King Duncan’s son, and kills Macbeth. Malcolm ascends the throne, reinstating justice in Scotland. Shakespeare’s Macbeth explores the dire consequences of unchecked ambition and the potential darkness of human desires.

Act 1

The play opens in Scotland where three witches share prophecies about the Scottish General Macbeth, foretelling he will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland.

Macbeth and his companion Banquo have just won a critical battle, stopping a rebellion against King Duncan. This earns King Duncan’s admiration. They cross paths with the witches who inform them about their predictions. To Macbeth’s surprise, King Duncan pronounces him the new Thane of Cawdor (a more powerful position than his current one).

After hearing about the prophecies and Lady Macbeth’s persuasive arguments, Macbeth starts contemplating the murder of King Duncan, who is due to visit their castle.

Act 2

Driven by ambition and his wife’s encouragement, Macbeth kills King Duncan in his sleep. Overcome with guilt and remorse, he returns to Lady Macbeth, who takes the bloody daggers back to the crime scene to frame the sleeping guards for the king’s murder.

In the morning, when Duncan’s death is discovered, Macbeth kills the guards, pretending to be incensed by the king’s murder, further covering their tracks. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee Scotland fearing for their safety. This leaves Macbeth with a clear path to the throne.

Act 3

Macbeth is now king, but he can’t find peace, remembering the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will become kings. Banquo is also increasingly suspicious of Macbeth’s ascent to the throne and emerges as a new threat. Driven by fear and jealousy, Macbeth arranges the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance.

The murderers succeed in killing Banquo but Fleance manages to escape, leaving Macbeth in fear. At a royal banquet, Macbeth is terrified by the ghost of Banquo, which only he can see, leading the guests to question his sanity.

Act 4

Tormented by fear and guilt, Macbeth seeks out the witches again, and they provide him with three cryptic prophecies

  • To beware of Macduff
  • No man born of a woman can harm him
  • He will remain safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane

Despite these seemingly reassuring prophecies, Macbeth decides to eliminate any threat and orders the murder of Macduff’s family. Macduff, who is in England helping Malcolm raise an army, hears of his family’s slaughter, which sparks an intense thirst for revenge.

Act 5

Back at Macbeth’s castle, Lady Macbeth is wracked with guilt, revealing secrets of the murders while sleepwalking. She eventually kills herself, which happens off-stage.

Meanwhile, English forces, camouflaged by cut branches from Birnam Wood, march towards Macbeth’s castle, symbolically bringing Birnam Wood to Dunsinane as prophesied.

Macduff confronts Macbeth and in the ensuing battle, reveals he was born by Caesarean section, and therefore ‘not born of a woman’. He kills Macbeth, fulfilling the final prophecy. Malcolm, Duncan’s rightful heir, is then proclaimed king, signifying the restoration of the natural order in Scotland.