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 II 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