1. Exposition Introduction
Act I
Exposition
Introduction

2. Act I Scotland and Norway @ war Scotland wins
Macbeth and Banquo “local heroes”
Witches’ predictions
Macbeth 1. Thane of Glamis Banquo 1.
2. Thane of Cawdor 2. riddles
3. King of Scotland 3.
Thane of Cawd = traitor he’s executed, Macbeth named new Thane of Cawdor
Malcolm named next in line for King of Scotland
Lady Macbeth AND Macbeth have murderous thoughts about being King.
Macbeth decides he WON’T kill Duncan (he’s a cousin…Duncan’s a good king)
Lady Macbeth calls him a chicken, and says, “Oh yes you will!”
Macbeth says, “OK.”

3. Act II
Rising action
Plot complications

4. Act II Macbeth kills King Duncan Lady Macbeth plants murder weapons
Macbeth kills guards “out of rage” -- making him look heroic
Malcolm & Donalbain flee -- making them look guilty
Macbeth named King
(Malcolm is gone, he’s a local hero, happens at his house, etc…)
Macduff suspicious of Macbeth

5. Act III
Turning point
Point of greatest tension
climax

6. Act III Revenge = Macbeth killed father, family
Banquo suspicious of Macbeth: “Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all…
I fear thou played most foully for it”
Macbeth hires 2 murderers to kill Banquo AND Fleance
3 murderers show up = Banquo is killed, Fleance escapes (he appears guilty)
BANQUET scene
Macbeth haunted by Banquo’s ghost
Nearly gives himself away = nearly says too much
Lady makes excuses (“he’s ill”), then sends everyone home
Macbeth plans to visit the witches, to ask about the future
Malcolm and Macduff in England plan attack on Macbeth (with help from English King)
Hearing this, Macbeth prepares for war
Revenge = Macbeth killed father, family

7. Act IV
Falling action
Denouement
Unraveling of the plot

8. Act V
Conclusion
Resolution

9. Act V Lady Macbeth sleepwalks “confession”
Macbeth is attacked by Macduff, Malcolm & other forces (English+deserters)
Macbeth is tricked by the witches
Camo
C-section
Lady commits suicide
Macduff kills Macbeth
Malcolm named King