Synopsis

ACT I

Scene 1

It is late in the night. The victorious Scottish generals Macbeth and Banco enter, returned from the battlefield. They have done the impossible, having defeated a much more powerful enemy. Thoughts of fame slowly overcome the heroes’ minds. The visions are so vivid that it seems someone is narrating them aloud. Macbeth is promised he will become the next Thane of Cawdor, and then – King of Scotland. This angers Macbeth because it’s impossible, as the Thane of Cawdor still lives. Banco is told that his own descendants will rule Scotland. As these thoughts fade away, King Duncan’s envoys suddenly enter, announcing that the Thane of Cawdor is a traitor and has been sentenced to death; in turn, the king will bestow the title of Thane on Macbeth. Only one obstacle remains between Macbeth and the throne – King Duncan himself.

Scene 2

Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband about the strange vision and how it’s come true. She decides to help Macbeth become king. A servant announces that King Duncan will arrive that evening and will stay the night. Lady Macbeth sees this as a wonderful opportunity to clear the path to the throne. When Macbeth returns, Lady Macbeth urges him to seize the opportunity and kill the king.

King Duncan arrives with his entourage, greeting Macbeth as the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is again haunted by visions: he sees a dagger before himself, and it’s pointed directly at Duncan. Macbeth has his doubts, but he kills Duncan. The world has changed; both Macbeth and his wife can sense it. Disgusted by her husband’s cowardice, Lady Macbeth takes the dagger and smears King Duncan’s blood on his own guards to incriminate them. Macduff and Banco arrive early to see the king, but find him dead. The people call for revenge against the unknown murderer.

ACT II

Scene 1

Macbeth is now king, but is tormented by the prophecy that Banco’s descendants, not Macbeth’s, will rule Scotland.

Lady Macbeth asks her husband why he is avoiding her and acting so sullen – what’s done is done. Duncan’s son Malcolm has fled to England, and it would be easy to turn suspicion toward him. Macbeth tells her his concerns – King Duncan is dead, but Banco still lives, as does his son, Fleance. Macbeth decides to kill Banco.

Scene 2

A gang of assassins hired to kill Banco and Fleance lie in wait along a rural road. Banco feels a great sense of foreboding. His instinct is right – the murderers attack them. Banco is killed, but his son is able to escape.

Scene 3

Not long after Banco’s murder, Macbeth and his wife receive their guests. To hide her anxiety, Lady Macbeth sings a brindisi. Macbeth speaks to one of the assassins, who tells him the job was only partially done because Banco’s son was able to escape. This upsets Macbeth once more, and his troubled mind makes him believe Banco’s ghost is among the guests. Macbeth tries to drive away this vision, but he only frightens his guests. The vision of Banco disappears. Lady Macbeth tries to calm the situation by singing another song, but Macbeth spots Banco a second time among the guests. Macbeth’s behavior frightens the guests. Macbeth resolves to uncover the source of his visions.

ACT III

Macbeth goes to an isolated location and is able to speak to mystical beings. He wants to know what his future holds. Macbeth is advised to beware of Macduff. He is also told that he cannot be killed by anyone born of woman. Finally, he is told that he will be unbeatable so long as Birnam Wood doesn’t march against him. Macbeth feels relieved – no wood has ever marched before! But then he is shown Banco’s descendants, who will be the future kings of Scotland. Macbeth is overcome with terror, and he loses consciousness. Lady Macbeth discovers him. He tells his wife about the strange visions and prophecies, and they decide to kill Macduff and his family.

ACT IV

Scene 1

Macduff’s family is ruthlessly slaughtered. They are discovered by refugees. Macduff is among them, determined to avenge the deaths of his wife and children. With him is heir to the Scottish throne, Malcolm, son of the murdered King Duncan – and with Malcolm is the English army. Malcolm learns that they are at Birnam Wood, and tells each soldier to cut a branch from a tree to cover themselves as they attack. They prepare for battle.

Scene 2

Lady Macbeth wanders the castle each night in her sleep, trying to escape the ghosts of those murdered. She wrings her hands as she sleepwalks, trying to clean them of blood. Her doctor and lady-in-waiting follow her, terrified. In her nightmares, Lady Macbeth speaks with her husband, tells him to put on clean clothes and, overcome by fear and hallucinations, urges Macbeth to go. Tormented by despair and weakness, Lady Macbeth dies.

Scene 3

Macbeth is no longer afraid; he’s lost all trace of humanity and has assumed his role as murderer. He receives the news of his wife’s death with indifference. Not even the approaching English army can upset him. Birnam Wood draws closer. Macbeth understands that the prophecy is coming true, even though no man born of woman can conquer him.

Scene 4

The battle begins. Macduff and Macbeth come face to face with one another; Macduff reveals he is not born of woman – rather, he was ripped from his mother’s womb. This news shatters Macbeth; Macduff kills him. Malcolm’s subjects pronounce Malcolm the heir to the throne, and the new King of Scotland.