Macbeth Summary
William Shakespeare

Macbeth Summary

Act I:

After crushing Macdonwald's rebellion against Duncan, Macbeth and Banquo are journeying to the king's castle when they are surprised by the sudden appearance of three witches. The hags predict that Macbeth, who holds the title of Thane of Glarois, will also become Thane of Cawdor and then king of Scotland and that although Banquo will never rule, his heirs will.

Act II:

Macbeth decides he must kill the king. To conceal his treachery, Macbeth stabs the sleeping Duncan with knives belonging to the king's attendants. He becomes so unnerved by the deed, however, that he forgets to leave the daggers in Duncan's chamber, and Lady Macbeth must finish the task. Despite his wife's confidence that the murder was a success, Macbeth continues to fear that their treachery will lead to further trouble. When Duncan's corpse is discovered, Malcolm and Donalbain fear for their own lives and flee Scotland. As a result,... View more of the Macbeth Summary