1. Macbeth’s Origins
Act by Act Breakdown

2. Origins of the Play
William Shakespeare's talents were in the creative dramatization of stories – not the creation of them. Much of his works are based of myth, history, or other tales he heard. This is why his work is debated – it’s not entirely original.
For Macbeth, his inspiration came from the Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland – first published in 1577.
According to the Chronicles, the "real" Macbeth became King of Scotland in 1040 after having defeated a historical Duncan who was a weak, youthful ruler with little experience. Shakespeare presents an older King Duncan who is due the respect of his thanes. His murder, then, is more heinous in the dramatic interpretation.

3. In the Macbeth of Holinshed's Chronicles, the wife of Macbeth is hardly mentioned. Shakespeare develops the impressive character of an ambitious lady Macbeth from a different story found in the Chronicles.
The historical Macbeth reigned for 17 years and survived the battles which returned Malcolm to the throne: whereas, Shakespeare presents a series of events which speed to the conclusion of a Macbeth being defeated and beheaded.

4. King James
Shakespeare enjoyed much support for Queen Elizabeth who encouraged the artistic efforts of her subjects during the creative Renaissance years.
After her death, James VI of Scotland became James I, King of England, in 1603.
Due to the fact that James was considered the eighth descendent of the Banquo-Fleance line, Shakespeare "polished" the historical representation to present Banquo's character in a more honorable light.
**The Banquo of Holinshed's Chronicles is actually involved in the conspiracy to murder King Duncan.

5. Prior to gaining the English throne, James produced the book, Daemonologie (1597), which provided ways to recognize witches as well as to defeat their spells.
He was particularly concerned with the threat of witchcraft after several women were tried in connection with their self acclaimed attempt to sink his ship during his wedding journey.
These women claimed to have sailed "in a sieve" which Shakespeare uses in Act I, scene 3. (All three of the women concerned were burned-as were between 4,500 and 8,000 other supposed witches during that century.)

6. The Acts in Point Form

7. Act 1
Three witches tell Macbeth and Banquo their prophesized futures. Macbeth will be King, but Banquo will father the kings to come.
Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to kill Duncan at their private dinner.
Macbeth cedes to Lady Macbeth’s persuasion after she suggests they drug the guards.

8. Act 2
Lady Macbeth drugs the guards, but can’t kill Duncan herself because he looks too much like her father.
Macbeth kills Duncan and carries the daggers back to the room to show Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth smears the blood on the guards so that it looks like they killed Duncan.
Macduff finds the guard and Macbeth kills them.
Duncan’s sons flee Scotland – Macbeth is then crowned King.

9. Act 3 Macbeth sends out assassins to kill Banquo and his son Fleance.
Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost at the Banquet – reacts poorly showing that he is plagued by his deed.
Macduff joins Malcolm in England.

10. Act 4
Macbeth seek out the witches – the show him three things that he should be concerned about.
1 – “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth”. 2 – he shall be safe until the Birnman wood moves. 3 – visions of Banquo’s eight descendants.
Macbeth has Macduff’s family slain.

11. Act 5
Lady Macbeth continues to see blood on her hands because of the lives she took. This leads to her own death.
Macbeth is full of sorrow because of Lady Macbeth’s death, but is pulled out of the daze when the Birnam wood advances towards them.
In battle, Macduff reveals that he was not “of woman born” because he was pulled from his mother’s womb (similar to a c-section).
Macbeth is beheaded in battle.
Malcolm is proclaimed King.