Short Summary of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Macbeth and Banquo lead their armies to victory against Ireland and Norway troops. They meet a trio of witches who give them prophecies. They prophesy that Macbeth will become Thane and later on the king of Scotland and that Banquo’s bloodline will produce a Scottish king, but Banquo himself will not have the throne. Macbeth is later named as thane by the current King Duncan who invites him to Inverness to dine.

Macbeth writes to his wife and tells her of the events. Lady Macbeth who desires her husband to be king arrives at Inverness and orchestrates the murder of the king. Macbeth kills the king in his sleep and blames it on chamberlains who he then kills in rage for the crime. King Duncan’s sons flee to England and Ireland. Macbeth is driven by the rest of the prophecy orders Banquo and his son to be killed and has him ambushed at the royal feast. However, Banquo’s son Fleance escapes. Banquo’s ghost haunts Macbeth, and his rule receives resistance from the subjects and nobles.

Macbeth becomes paranoid and returns to the witches who warn him of Macduff, a Scottish nobleman opposed to his rule. They also reassure him that any man born of woman would not harm him. Macbeth seizes the castle and has a lady Macduff and her sons killed while Macduff is in England. Macduff vows to avenge his family and together with Prince Malcolm, who gathered an army in England, ride to challenge Macbeth’s army. Lady Macbeth takes her own life after struggling with fits which leads Macbeth to deep despair. Macbeth still encounters Macduff in the battlefield who reveals that he (Macduff) was not born of woman but was instead ripped from his mother’s tomb ( C- section) Macduff then kills and beheads Macbeth. Prince Malcolm is crowned king.