Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, in a camp near Forres, meet a wounded Sergeant, who Malcolm solicits to inform Duncan, the King of Scotland, regarding the battle fought to liberate Malcolm from captivity. The soldier replies that the rebel, Macdonwald, initially fought valiantly, as equals, against Macbeth until finally Macbeth ripped him in half with his sword and hung his head upon the battlements. Then, the enemy, the Norwegian lord, struck hard again. But the two captains, although perhaps outnumbered, redoubled their efforts, facing a painful defeat. Surgeons are sent for to assist the Sergeant who is overcome by his wounds. Ross enters, reporting that the fight against the Norwegian King, assisted by the thane of Cowdor is over. Victory belongs to Duncan! The Norwegian King must pay tribute in order to bury his men. The thane of Cowdor, who rebelled against...