TABLE OF CONTENTS
Jump directly to the video and text for every scene in Macbeth
ADDITIONAL SCENE INFORMATION
Included here is a brief audio introduction to each scene in Macbeth, as well as a description of the action of the scene
Act 1 Scene 1
Three witches agree to meet again, upon a heath once the fighting has ended, so that they can intercept Macbeth.
Act 1 Scene 2
Duncan, the King of Scotland, his two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, and the Thane of Lennox come upon a wounded Sergeant once the warring has ended. The Sergeant tells Duncan the story of the Irish invaders, led by the rebellious Macdonwald, and how Macbeth and Banquo bravely defeated them. The Thane of Ross then arrives to tell Duncan that the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, who was assisting the Norwegian army, has been defeated. Duncan orders the Thane of Cawdor put to death and his title bestowed upon the heroic Macbeth.
Act 1 Scene 3
Macbeth and Banquo, on their way to Duncan’s castle in Forres, happen upon the three witches. They confront the witches, demanding that they speak to them if they are, in fact, capable of doing so. The witches correctly address Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis, but also as the Thane of Cawdor and King. They then tell Banquo that while he won’t be King, his progeny will be. When the witches disappear, they leave Macbeth and Banquo confused and uncertain about what they’ve heard. Ross and Angus arrive to tell Macbeth that Duncan has made him the Thane of Cawdor, which ignites Macbeth’s imagination and paranoia.
Act 1 Scene 4
Malcolm reports to Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor has been executed, and Duncan explains to his sons that it is impossible to see the true intentions of men, as Duncan had trusted the Thane of Cawdor absolutely. When Macbeth and Banquo arrive, Duncan thanks them in person for their bravery in war, and then announces to everyone assembled that he is making Malcolm the Prince of Cumberland and the direct heir to the throne. Macbeth is disturbed by this news, now seeing Malcolm as yet another obstacle standing between himself and the kingship. Everyone then prepares to leave for Inverness, Macbeth’s castle.
Act 1 Scene 5
Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth telling her of the witches’ prophecies. While Lady Macbeth thinks that Macbeth would be a great king, she worries that he is too honourable to do what is necessary to get the crown. When Lady Macbeth discovers that Duncan is coming to her castle that night, she invokes evil spirits to strip her of her womanly weaknesses so that she may be able to help her husband’s royal quest. When Macbeth arrives he is reluctant to discuss killing Duncan, and Lady Macbeth warns him that he has to do a better job of hiding his troubles as they are easily read upon his face.
Act 1 Scene 6
Lady Macbeth comes to greet Duncan upon his arrival to Inverness, but Duncan is concerned that Macbeth did not come to greet him himself.
Act 1 Scene 7
Macbeth has excused himself from the feast with Duncan and his party to consider the ramifications of killing Duncan to feed his own ambition. Ultimately, Macbeth resolves not to kill Duncan, but Lady Macbeth is furious at his decision. She questions his manhood and scolds him for wanting something and not having the courage to go after it. Once Lady Macbeth explains that they’ll pin the murder on Duncan’s two attendants, Macbeth agrees to go through with her plan to kill Duncan that very night.
Act 2 Scene 1
Banquo meets his son, Fleance, in the middle of the night and tells him that he cannot sleep. Macbeth arrives shortly thereafter and Banquo delivers to him a diamond from Duncan, intended as thanks for his hospitality. Banquo attempts to engage Macbeth about the witches, and while Macbeth responds that he hasn't thought of them, he offers to spend time later on discussing their odd encounter. After Banquo and Fleance leave, Macbeth believes he sees a dagger floating in front of his face, but quickly realizes that he is hallucinating. The dagger eventually becomes bloody and points the way to Duncan's room, Macbeth's intended destination that night. Lady Macbeth then gives the signal that the time has come to perform the murder and Macbeth leaves to do the deed.
Act 2 Scene 2
As Lady Macbeth waits for her husband to return from killing Duncan, she is alternately filled with hubris and alarmed by the smallest of noises. When Macbeth returns, he is visibly shaken by the ordeal and Lady Macbeth attempts to calm him down. Eventually she realizes that Macbeth took the daggers from the scene of the crime rather than leaving them with Duncan's guards as had been discussed. Macbeth refuses to go back to return the weapons, and so Lady Macbeth goes in his place. When she returns they hear knocking at the south entry and both leave to re-dress in clothes that make it look like they were awakened in the middle of the night.
Act 2 Scene 3
A porter at Inverness, drunk after a night of carousing, greets Macduff and Lennox, who have arrived to take Duncan hunting. Macbeth comes to greet them and directs Macduff to Duncan's room so that he may rouse the King. While Macduff is gone, Lennox describes to Macbeth how he has never experienced a night as unruly and portentous as this last one. Macduff returns, having been horrified to find Duncan murdered in his sleep. He sends Macbeth and Lennox to see the horrid deed for themselves, and proceeds to wake the castle, which brings Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Malcolm and Donalbain to him to ask what is the matter. When Macbeth returns he tells those assembled that he has killed Duncan's guards, which enrages Macduff and prompts a fainting spell from Lady Macbeth. Once Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Banquo and Lennox leave, Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee Scotland, with Malcolm deciding to hide in England and Donalbain deciding to hide in Ireland.
Act 2 Scene 4
Ross and an old man discuss how nature has run amok over the past several days, including Duncan’s horses breaking free from their stalls and eating each other. Macduff then arrives, telling Ross that Macbeth has been made King, that Malcolm and Donalbain are now suspected of Duncan’s murder since they have fled the country and that he, Macduff, is now returning home to Fife rather than joining Macbeth in Scone.
Act 3 Scene 1
Banquo worries that Macbeth, now the King of Scotland, acted dishonourably to achieve what was promised to him in the witches prophecies. Banquo realizes, however, that it is his sons, and not Macbeth’s, that stand to profit most if all the witches prophecies come true. Macbeth interrupts Banquo’s musings to invite him to a supper in his honour. Banquo explains that he is about to go riding with his son, Fleance, but that he will return in time for supper. Once alone, Macbeth rages over the fact that Banquo’s progeny stand to profit most from his decision to murder Duncan and usurp the crown. Macbeth then invites two murderers into his company and persuades them to kill Banquo and Fleance when the return from riding.
Act 3 Scene 2
Macbeth’s mind is troubled over what he and his wife have done and of what it means for their future. Lady Macbeth pleads with her husband to put such thoughts out of his mind, but he cannot. He refuses to tell his wife about his plot to murder Banquo and Fleance, opting instead for her to remain ignorant of the plan until it has been carried out.
Act 3 Scene 3
Unbeknownst to the first and second murderer, Macbeth has hired a third murderer to join them in their assault on Banquo and Fleance. When Banquo and Fleance arrive, the three murderers set upon them, killing Banquo but losing Fleance, who escapes their attack. The murderers agree to go and give the news to Macbeth.
Act 3 Scene 4
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth host a banquet in honour of Banquo. The first murderer interrupts Macbeth to tell him that Banquo has been murdered but that Fleance escaped. As the banquet continues, Macbeth believes that he sees Banquo’s ghost, which terrifies him and sends him into a rage. Lady Macbeth attempts to calm her husband and reassure her guests, but Macbeth’s nerves aren’t settled until the ghost disappears. Macbeth then attempts to lead his guests in a toast to Banquo, his ‘absent’ guest, but Banquo’s ghost again interrupts him, which sends Macbeth into another fit of yelling and distress. Lady Macbeth, unable to control her husband, dismisses their guests and ends the banquet. Once alone, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss the absence of Macduff and the fact that Macbeth will once again search out the prophetic witches.
Act 3 Scene 5
Hecate, the Goddess of Witchcraft, chides the witches for interfering in the affairs of Macbeth without her approval or participation. She tells them that tomorrow they will meet Macbeth again and that they will learn of Macbeth’s fortunes.
Act 3 Scene 6
Lennox recounts the events of the post-Duncan kingdom to a lord at Forres. The Lord then informs Lennox that a rebellious force is forming, and that Macduff has gone to England to beg Malcolm to implore Northumberland and Siward to join in a fight against Macbeth.
Act 4 Scene 1
Macbeth seeks out the witches for more information about his fate. The witches summon apparitions to grant Macbeth’s wish. The first apparition, an armoured head, tells Macbeth to beware Macduff. The second apparition, a bloody child, tells Macbeth that no one born of woman will be able to harm him. Macbeth interprets this to mean he is invincible, and while he now feels he no longer needs to fear Macduff, he resolves to kill him anyway. The last apparition tells Macbeth that he’ll won’t die until the forrest of Great Birnam comes to Dunsinane, which emphasizes Macbeth’s sense of invincibility. Demanding more, Macbeth is then faced with a line of kings, which is concluded with another appearance from Banquo’s ghost. When the witches disappear, Macbeth calls for Lennox, who tells Macbeth that he was just informed that Macduff has gone to England.
Act 4 Scene 2
Lady Macduff pleads for Ross to explain why her husband, Macduff, has left her and her children alone and unprotected. She fears that he’s become a traitor, yet Ross won’t tell her Macduff’s true intentions. Ross leaves, and Lady Macduff tells her son that his father has become a traitor and is as good as dead. A messenger then bursts in and tells Lady Macduff to flee because she’s in imminent danger. Macbeth’s murderers then arrive and kill both Macduff’s son and wife.
Act 4 Scene 3
Macduff has come to England to plead with Malcolm to return to Scotland. Malcolm, fearing Macduff’s intentions, acts as though he himself is a man most unfit to be a king, and when Macduff laments these (false) revelations, Malcolm becomes convinced that Macduff has acted honestly and tells him that he has recruited Siward and an English army to attack Macbeth’s forces. Ross then arrives and echoes Macduff’s pleas before telling Macduff that his wife and children have been murdered. Macduff vows to personally attack Macbeth, and all three leave to begin their assault on Macbeth’s forces.
Act 5 Scene 1
Lady Macbeth’s waiting gentlewoman has brought a doctor to observe Lady Macbeth sleepwalking. When Lady Macbeth arrives, she reveals all of her and her husband’s treachery. The doctor tells the gentlewoman that she is beyond the help of a doctor, but that she should remove any dangerous objects from Lady Macbeth’s room and keep a close eye on her.
Act 5 Scene 2
A band of Scottish rebels convene to exchange updates on the impending attack on Macbeth. Menteith tells everyone that Malcolm and Siward are near and that Macduff is hungry for revenge. Lennox tells the group that Donalbain is not with his brother, and that most of Siward’s force is made up of young soldiers. Caithness explains that Macbeth is fortifying himself for battle, and that he is either insane or furious, depending on who is giving the report. The foursome then leave to meet up with Malcolm, Siward and the English forces.
Act 5 Scene 3
Macbeth is filled with a feeling of invincibility after receiving the witches most recent prophecies, but he is also unafraid to die if he has to. He asks Lady Macbeth’s doctor what is wrong with his wife, and the doctor tries to explain that she is not sick in the body but sick in the mind, and that she must cure herself of her troubles. Macbeth dismisses the doctor’s response and prepares himself for the impending war.
Act 5 Scene 4
The Scottish rebels unite with Malcolm, Macduff, Siward and the English forces. Malcolm orders everyone to retrieve a branch from a tree to use as a disguise as they approach Macbeth’s castle.
Act 5 Scene 5
While making his final preparations for war, Macbeth learns that Lady Macbeth has died. As Macbeth processes this information and takes stock of what brought him to this point, he is brought news that Birnam Wood appears to be moving towards the castle, an occurrence that begins to disrupt Macbeth’s sense of invincibility.
Act 5 Scene 6
The Scottish rebels and English forces arrive at Dunsinane, ready for battle against Macbeth.
Act 5 Scene 7
Young Siward encounters Macbeth, and dies attempting to engage him. Macduff searches for Macbeth, insisting that if Macbeth dies at the hands of someone else the death of his wife and children will haunt him forever. Malcolm and Siward enter Macbeth’s castle.
Act 5 Scene 8
Macbeth and Macduff engage in battle, with Macduff explaining that he was born through cesarean section and thus not ‘of woman born’, meaning that witches prophecy does not apply to him. As they fight, Macduff overwhelms Macbeth and ultimately defeats him, beheading him with his kill stroke. With Macbeth dead, Malcolm is crowned King, and he retitles all of his thanes as Scotland’s first earls, and wants all of those exiled under Macbeth’s reign to be welcomed back to his Scottish kingdom.