Macbeth overview Act I Three witches make plans

Macbeth overview

Act I Three witches make plans to meet Macbeth “Fair is foul, foul is fair” (theme) King Duncan hears about Macbeth and Banquo’s heroic actions Three witches predict to Macbeth and Banquo – Thane of Cawdor (Macbeth) – King (Macbeth) – He will “beget” kings (Banquo) • Lady Macbeth hears of predictions and King Duncan’s visit • Macbeth hesitates to do what needs to be done in order for him to be king • Lady Macbeth shames Macbeth by questioning his manhood if he does not follow through with plan for Duncan to die • •

Act II • Macbeth hallucinates a dagger before committing the murder • King Duncan is murdered • Lady Macbeth places bloody daggers with Duncan’s guards • Drunken porter scene with Macduff (provides comic relief) • Macduff discovers Duncan’s body • Macbeth kills Duncan’s guards • Malcolm leaves to England; Donaldbain to Ireland (Duncan’s sons) • People question Duncan’s sons motives for leaving • Macbeth is King

Act III • Banquo suspicious of how Macbeth earned title of King • Macbeth hires murders to kill Banquo and Fleance (his son) • Banquo is killed; Fleance escapes • Macbeth sees ghost of Banquo at dinner • Hectate arranges with witches to “trick” Macbeth • Lennox questions Macbeth’s innocence • Macduff travels to England to ask King Edward for help to free their kingdon; refused to come to Macbeth’s house

Act IV • Witches make predictions to Macbeth – Beware Macduff, Beware the Thane of Fife – None of woman born shall harm Macbeth – Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him • Macbeth orders lady Macduff and children killed • Malcolm and Macduff are in England; Macduff learns of his family’s fate • They will fight to overthrow Macbeth

Act V • Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and tried to wash the imaginary blood off her hands • Macbeth is overconfident that he cannot be defeated due to the witches predictions • Lady Macbeth dies by her own hand • Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane because the soldiers use it as camouflage • Macbeth vows to fight to the end; he kills Young Siward • Macduff announces he was ripped from his mother’s womb then kills Macbeth • Malcolm named king

Portfolio Assignments Due: Tuesday, 4/1/14 • Drama vocabulary • Pre-reading questions • Character chart • Act I questions • Act III questions • Act IV questions • Act V questions • Macbeth quiz • Study guide ** Late points will be deducted from portfolios not turned in before the test begins