Macbeth William Shakespeare Chapter Summaries

Macbeth

William Shakespeare

Contributed by Sharon Fleming

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Chapter Summaries

Timeline

Act 1

Characters and conflict are introduced, and Macbeth's ambition for power is kindled. After Macbeth decides that he would not kill the king, Lady Macbeth calls him a coward.

Act 1 Scene 1

Act 2

Macbeth kills King Duncan, and kills King Duncan's servants in grief-stricken rage. Malcolm and Donalbain flee.

Act 2 Scene 1

Act 3

Banquo suspects that Macbeth has killed Duncan, and Macbeth hires assassins to kill Banquo. Banquo is murdered, but Fleance escapes. Macbeth hallucinates as a result of his guilt.

Act 3 Scene 1

Act 4

Lady Macduff and her son are murdered, Malcolm tests Macduff and prepare for battle.

Act 4 Scene 1

Act 5

Battle ensues, and both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth die.

Act 5 Scene 1

Chapter Summaries Table

Chapter	Summary
Act 1 Scene 1	Amid a violent thunderstorm, three witches meet in a desolate Scottish heath. They make plans to meet Macbeth in the moor after his battle, so they ca... Read more
Act 1 Scene 2	Scotland is in chaos, plagued by both civil and international war. Both rebels and Norwegians, led by King Sweno, attack the country. King Duncan face... Read more
Act 1 Scene 3	The three witches appear amid a clap of thunder. They have just cursed a woman whose sailor husband offended them. As Macbeth and Banquo exit the batt... Read more
Act 1 Scene 4	At the court of King Duncan, a message arrives at the throne regarding the execution of the Thane of Cawdor. The king formally delivers appreciation t... Read more
Act 1 Scene 5	Lady Macbeth reads a letter in which Macbeth describes the witches’ prophecies. Then she receives word that King Duncan will visit soon. Upon receiv... Read more
Act 1 Scene 6	King Duncan and his entourage arrive at Macbeth’s castle, where Macbeth and Lady Macbeth receive him. Despite her malicious intentions and murderous... Read more
Act 2 Scene 1	Macbeth moves toward the King's chamber. On the way, he meets Banquo alongside his son, Fleance. Banquo has not been sleeping and discloses to Macbeth... Read more
Act 2 Scene 2	After murdering King Duncan, Macbeth leaves the chamber, and he descends into the courtyard. There, he meets Lady Macbeth. She has just killed the kin... Read more
Act 2 Scene 3	Despite the urgency and persistence of the knock on the door, the porter hesitates to open it. Instead, he occupies himself with a game wherein he act... Read more
Act 2 Scene 4	On his way home from the castle, the Thane of Ross meets an elderly man who confirms rumors of disruption of the natural world. Then Macduff appears t... Read more
Act 3 Scene 1	Although Banquo suspects that Macbeth could be responsible for King Duncan’s murder, he is, however, comforted by the witches’ third prophecy of h... Read more
Act 3 Scene 2	This intimate scene shows the Macbeths’ private life, their thoughts and perceptions of current events. Although it pauses the play’s action, it r... Read more
Act 3 Scene 3	Macbeth’s hired assassins wait for an opportune moment to pounce on Banquo and Fleance. Upon hearing approaching horses, they prepare to attack. Dur... Read more
Act 3 Scene 4	Back at his palace, Macbeth entertains the Scottish thanes. Just before their feast begins, one of the assassins appears at a side door. He informs Ma... Read more
Act 3 Scene 5	The goddess of the underworld, Hecate, is unimpressed with the events leading to Macbeth’s ruin. She believes that the witches have overlooked her r... Read more
Act 3 Scene 6	When Lennox meets with the rebel leader, he expresses doubt in Macbeth’s story. He indicates that by hurriedly killing the King Duncan’s guard, Ma... Read more
Act 4 Scene 1	Macbeth returns to the three witches, and he demands they present him with prophecies about his future. The first apparition is a warrior’s head, wh... Read more
Act 4 Scene 2	In the Macduff’s castle, his family learns he has become a traitor and fled the country. Lady Macduff’s eldest son comforts her with courage beyon... Read more
Act 4 Scene 3	In England, Macduff has joined Malcolm’s army, and Malcolm tests his loyalty. Malcolm boasts of his ability to be a worse tyrant than Macbeth, tryin... Read more
Act 5 Scene 1	Lady Macbeth is suffering, and her problems are psychological. She sleepwalks. She cannot stop thinking about the multiple murders she and Macbeth ini... Read more
Act 5 Scene 2	Macbeth’s support is dwindling. He loses four officials to Malcolm, including Lennox, Menteth, Angus, and Caithness. By this time, the English force... Read more
Act 5 Scene 3	Macbeth receives reports of an impending attack. However, Macbeth remembers the prophecy that he will be invincible on the battlefield. When a servant... Read more
Act 5 Scene 4	Under Malcolm’s leadership, the English and Scottish rebel troops meet at Birnam Wood. Malcolm orders each military officer to cut a branch of the w... Read more
Act 5 Scene 5	Macbeth begins the scene with a bold speech about war. In an apparent morale-boosting exercise for his soldiers, Macbeth commands them to “hang out ... Read more
Act 5 Scene 6	Summary At Dunsinane, the Birnam wood arrives. Malcolm and his military troops come covered in leaves. Their movement into Macbeth's territory of Duns... Read more
Act 5 Scene 7	Scene VII paves the way for Macbeth’s destruction. Flurries of activity happens, and it is evident that Macbeth’s fall is closer than ever before.... Read more
Act 5 Scene 8	Macbeth and Macduff come face to face on the battlefield, where they exchange words before clashing swords. Macbeth, the bloody usurper of the throne,... Read more
Act 5 Scene 9	The castle of Dunsinane has been taken, and peace falls upon the land. The war ends with Macbeth’s death. Besides, the honors of the war have been a... Read more

Plot Summary

Chapter 1

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Of Mice and Men

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