Introduction
Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. The play tells the story of Macbeth, a brave Scottish soldier whose ambition leads him to murder, guilt, tyranny and ultimately death.
The plot follows Macbeth’s rise from respected warrior to king, and then his downfall as his crimes destroy both himself and Scotland. Shakespeare explores important themes such as ambition, power, fate, guilt, the supernatural and kingship.
What is a Tragedy?
A tragedy is a play in which a central character falls from a position of success to disaster.
Macbeth begins the play as:
- A respected warrior
- Loyal to King Duncan
- Admired by others
By the end he becomes:
- A tyrant
- Isolated from others
- Defeated and killed
Act 1: Prophecy and Ambition
Macbeth the Hero
The play begins with Scotland at war.
Macbeth is praised for his bravery and loyalty. As a reward, King Duncan gives him the title Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth is presented as a noble and honourable soldier.
The Three Witches
Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches.
The witches make three prophecies:
Macbeth
- Thane of Glamis
- Thane of Cawdor
- Future King
Banquo
- He will not be king.
- His descendants will become kings.
When Macbeth soon becomes Thane of Cawdor, he begins to wonder whether the final prophecy could also come true.
Lady Macbeth
Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth explaining the witches’ prophecies.
Lady Macbeth immediately wants Macbeth to become king.
She begins planning Duncan’s murder and encourages Macbeth to act.
Act 2: The Murder of Duncan
Macbeth’s Doubts
Macbeth knows Duncan is a good king.
He worries about:
- The consequences of murder.
- His conscience.
- Betraying his king.
However, Lady Macbeth questions his courage and persuades him to continue.
The Dagger Vision
Before the murder, Macbeth sees an imaginary dagger leading him towards Duncan’s room.
This shows:
- His troubled mind.
- His fear and uncertainty.
- The influence of ambition.
Duncan’s Murder
Macbeth murders Duncan while he sleeps.
After the murder:
- Macbeth is horrified.
- He feels guilty.
- He struggles to cope with what he has done.
Lady Macbeth remains calm and helps cover up the crime.
Act 3: Macbeth Becomes King
Growing Fear
Macbeth becomes king, but he is not happy.
He worries about Banquo because the witches predicted that Banquo’s descendants would become kings.
Macbeth fears losing his power.
Banquo’s Murder
Macbeth hires murderers to kill:
- Banquo
- Banquo’s son, Fleance
The attack succeeds in killing Banquo.
However:
- Fleance escapes.
This means the prophecy could still come true.
Banquo’s Ghost
During a banquet, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost.
Only Macbeth can see it.
He becomes frightened and behaves strangely.
The nobles begin questioning Macbeth’s stability.
Act 4: Macbeth the Tyrant
The Witches Return
Macbeth visits the witches again.
They provide three new predictions:
First Apparition
Beware Macduff.
Second Apparition
No man born of woman will harm Macbeth.
Third Apparition
Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
False Confidence
Macbeth interprets the prophecies literally.
He believes:
- Nobody can kill him.
- Trees cannot move.
As a result, he becomes overconfident.
Macduff’s Family
Macduff escapes to England.
In revenge, Macbeth orders the murder of:
- Lady Macduff
- Macduff’s children
This shows how cruel and ruthless Macbeth has become.
Act 5: Downfall and Death
Lady Macbeth’s Guilt
Lady Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt.
She sleepwalks and repeatedly tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands.
Her mental state deteriorates rapidly.
Malcolm’s Army
Malcolm and Macduff lead an army against Macbeth.
The soldiers carry branches from Birnam Wood to disguise their numbers.
From a distance, it appears that the forest is moving.
This fulfils one of the witches’ prophecies.
Macbeth Learns the Truth
Macbeth discovers:
- Macduff was born by Caesarean section.
- Macduff was not “born of woman” in the normal way.
Macbeth realises he has misunderstood the prophecy.
Macbeth’s Death
Macduff kills Macbeth.
Malcolm becomes king.
Order is restored to Scotland.
The tragedy ends with justice being achieved.
Key Plot Themes
Ambition
Macbeth’s ambition grows after hearing the witches’ prophecy.
His desire for power ultimately destroys him.
Fate and Free Will
The witches predict Macbeth’s future.
However, Macbeth chooses his actions.
Shakespeare leaves audiences questioning how much is fate and how much is personal choice.
Guilt
After Duncan’s murder:
- Macbeth experiences hallucinations.
- Lady Macbeth sleepwalks.
Guilt affects both characters deeply.
The Supernatural
The witches, ghosts and visions influence the plot and create mystery and fear.
Kingship
Shakespeare contrasts:
Good Kingship
- Duncan
- Malcolm
Bad Kingship
- Macbeth
This highlights the importance of justice and leadership.
GCSE Practice Questions
1 Mark Questions
Q1
Who gives Macbeth the prophecy that he will become king?
Q2
Who is King of Scotland at the start of the play?
Q3
Who escapes after Banquo is attacked?
Q4
Who kills Macbeth?
2 Mark Questions
Q5
Give two predictions made by the witches.
Q6
State two reasons Macbeth wants Banquo killed.
Q7
Give two examples of the supernatural in the play.
Q8
State two effects of guilt on Macbeth or Lady Macbeth.
3 Mark Questions
Q9
Explain why Macbeth murders Duncan.
Q10
Describe how Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth.
Q11
Explain why Banquo’s ghost is important.
Q12
Describe how Macbeth changes throughout the play.
4 Mark Questions
Q13
Explain how Shakespeare presents ambition through the plot.
Q14
Explain how the witches influence events.
Q15
Explain how guilt affects Lady Macbeth.
Q16
Explain how Macbeth becomes a tyrant.
6 Mark Questions
Q17
How does Shakespeare present the consequences of ambition in the play?
Q18
Explain how Shakespeare builds tension throughout Macbeth.
Q19
How does Shakespeare present the conflict between fate and free will?
8 Mark Questions
Q20
Explore how Shakespeare uses the plot of Macbeth to present the dangers of the desire for power.
Answers
Q1
The Three Witches.
Q2
King Duncan.
Q3
Fleance.
Q4
Macduff.
Q5
- Macbeth will become king.
- Banquo’s descendants will become kings.
Q6
- Macbeth fears Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne.
- Banquo knows about the witches’ prophecy.
Q7
- The witches.
- Banquo’s ghost.
Q8
- Hallucinations.
- Sleepwalking.
Q9
Macbeth murders Duncan because he wants to become king. The witches’ prophecy awakens his ambition, and Lady Macbeth persuades him to commit the crime.
Q10
Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth to pursue power. She questions his courage and persuades him to murder Duncan.
Q11
Banquo’s ghost symbolises Macbeth’s guilt and shows that he cannot escape the consequences of his crimes.
Q12
Macbeth changes from a brave and loyal soldier into a cruel and fearful tyrant who rules through violence.
Q13
Shakespeare presents ambition as dangerous. Macbeth’s desire for power leads him to commit murder and causes his downfall.
Q14
The witches introduce the prophecies that encourage Macbeth to think about becoming king. Their predictions influence many of his decisions.
Q15
Lady Macbeth begins the play as confident and ruthless. However, guilt overwhelms her, leading to sleepwalking and mental collapse.
Q16
Macbeth becomes a tyrant by using violence to maintain power. He orders the deaths of Banquo and Macduff’s family and rules through fear.
Q17 (6 Marks)
Shakespeare presents ambition as a destructive force. Macbeth’s ambition encourages him to murder Duncan and seize the throne. Once he becomes king, he continues committing crimes to protect his position. These actions lead to guilt, fear, isolation and death. Through Macbeth’s downfall, Shakespeare warns about the dangers of unchecked ambition.
Q18 (6 Marks)
Shakespeare builds tension through prophecy, murder and uncertainty. The witches create mystery from the beginning, while Duncan’s murder increases suspense. Banquo’s ghost, the second set of prophecies and the approaching army all build dramatic tension until the final battle.
Q19 (6 Marks)
The witches suggest that fate influences events by predicting Macbeth’s future. However, Macbeth chooses to murder Duncan and continue committing crimes. Shakespeare presents a balance between fate and free will, showing that individuals remain responsible for their decisions.
Q20 (8 Marks)
Shakespeare uses the plot to show how the desire for power can corrupt people. Macbeth begins as a respected hero, but his ambition grows after hearing the witches’ prophecy. His pursuit of power leads to murder, tyranny and fear. As Macbeth becomes more isolated and violent, Scotland suffers under his rule. The play ends with Macbeth’s death and the restoration of order, showing that the abuse of power ultimately leads to destruction.
