Shakespeares Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Plot

Shakespeares Macbeth Essay, Research Paper

The Plot

Macbeth consists of five major acts, each with a variation of scenes. The story tells of one man’s quest for dominance in the Scottish monarchy structure, and how his future becomes a twisted paradox that brings him nothing but trouble. In the first act, Macbeth is visited by two witches that tell him prophecies of the future. The tales tell of Macbeth becoming king, and Banquo founding a line of kings. Macbeth then becomes obsessed with finding a way of killing King Duncan. Later in the act, Macbeth is summoned by Duncan in congratulations of his battle victory. The second act is one of, if not, the important acts in the play. Macbeth kills the king in his sleep as Lady Macbeth awaits him back in their quarters. When he comes back, he has blood on his hands. She urges him to wash them, as she puts the daggers near the grooms. When Macduff enters, everyone is alerted of the king’s death. The chase is afoot to find the killer. As the third act unfolds, Macbeth is now the proclaimed king. At a ceremonial banquet in his honor, Macbeth is tormented by his visions of Banquo. He plans to have Banquo and his son Fleance murdered. The attempt is somewhat successful, as Banquo is killed but Fleance manages to escape. In the last few scenes of this act, Macbeth is plagued by the ghost of Banquo. People start to suspect something suspicious of Macbeth. The fourth act starts off, once again, with Macbeth visiting the witches. They tell him that he will not be harmed by a woman, and that he will not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Macbeth has Lady Macduff and her son killed. When Macduff learns about this news, he vows to kill Macbeth when he meets him on the field of battle. He and Malcolm start to conjure up plans to invade Macbeth’s castle. The fifth act of Macbeth is the final chapter in this play. Lady Macbeth has been suffering from mental instability and sleepwalks around the castle. As Macbeth gets ready for battle, he learns that his wife has commited suicide (what a way to go). Life is now meaningless to him. It seems he wants to become a martyr. The battle begins, and Macbeth’s forces are severly weakened. Macbeth fights to the death and is finally killed by Macduff.

Acts & Scenes

Act One 7 Scenes

Act Two 4 Scenes

Act Three 6 Scenes

Act Four 3 Scenes

Act Five 9 Scenes

Acts: 5, Scenes: 29

Act I, Scene i: Amid thunder and lightning, Macbeth meets with the three witches after he successful wins a battle. The witches agree to meet again on the heath.

Act I, Scene ii: King Duncan is told of the good news from the battlefront. Macbeth has killed Macdonwald, a traitor. After he wins the battle against Norwegian forces, the king learns that the Thane of Cawdor has assisted them. The thane is executed, and Macbeth now holds the title of the Thane of Cawdor.

Act I, Scene iii: The three witches appear on the heath in the midst of thunder. When Macbeth and Banquo arrive, they tell the two of their prophecies. They hail Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis and Cawdor, who will be king. Banquo is said to be one who is lesser than Macbeth and greater, less fortunate and more fortunate. When Macbeth asks the witches how he will become the Thane of Cawdor, since the title bearer still lives, the three witches vanish. At that moment, Ross enters to announce Macbeth’s new title.

Act I, Scene iv: Macbeth is summoned by the king to congratulate him on his victory. At that moment, Duncan announces that Malcolm will become heir to the throne. Macbeth is clearly disappointed by this news. Duncan, as a mark of his favor, proposed to visit Macbeth’s castle at Inverness.

Act I, Scene v: Lady Macbeth is reading a letter from her husband that tells of his encounter with the witches. A messenger arrives to inform her that Duncan will be there that very night. Lady Macbeth calls on the spirits of evil/darkness to make her stronger.

Act I, Scene vi: Duncan, upon his arrival, finds Macbeth’s castle to be pleasantly situated. He greets Lady Macbeth, as Macbeth himself is not present. The banquet proceeds.

Act I, Scene vii: Macbeth, troubled by his thoughts, leaves the banquet hall before the ceremonial supper for Duncan is over. He has doubts about killing the king. Lady Macbeth, worried, joins him. Macbeth protests that they will not go through with the murder. His wife, however, pursuades him to continue.

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Act II, Scene i: It is nighttime and everyone is asleep. Banquo lies awake, worrying that he will once again see the witch’s prophecies. Macbeth then comes and tells Banquo the good news. The kings servants are asleep. When Macbeth leaves, Banquo finally falls asleep and then envisions a dagger in the air leading him towards the sleeping king. A bell rings, which is a signal from Lady Macbeth that the time is right to enter Duncan’s chamber.

Act II, Scene ii: Lady Macbeth waits for her husband to kill the king. She tells herself that she herself is tense, and needs the help of alcohol. When Macbeth returns, he tells her he heard another prophecy: “Macbeth shall sleep no more”. She sees the bloody knives and takes them back to the king’s quarters. She and Macbeth then return to changee their bloody clothes, and to wask their hands.

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