Act 2: The Murder of King Duncan

Act 2 depicts the murder of King Duncan and its immediate aftermath, marking Macbeth's descent into tyranny.

The act opens with Macbeth's vision of a floating dagger, symbolizing his guilty conscience. This hallucination foreshadows his later mental instability.

Quote: "Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand?"

After the murder, Lady Macbeth takes charge, smearing the guards with blood. Macbeth, however, is already showing signs of guilt and fear:

Quote: "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?"

The discovery of Duncan's body brings chaos to the castle. Macbeth kills the guards in feigned rage, while Malcolm and Donalbain flee, fearing for their lives.

Vocabulary: Regicide - The killing of a king.

The act ends with an old man and Ross discussing unnatural events occurring in nature, reflecting the disorder caused by Duncan's murder:

Quote: "'Tis said they eat each other" - Old Man

This imagery of cannibalism among animals symbolizes the unnatural act of killing one's king and kinsman.

Act 3: Macbeth as King and the Murder of Banquo

Act 3 shows Macbeth's paranoia growing as he consolidates his power through further murders.

Macbeth, now king, fears Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne as prophesied. He arranges Banquo's murder but his son Fleance escapes.

Quote: "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus" - Macbeth

This line reveals Macbeth's insecurity even after achieving the crown.

At a banquet, Macbeth is haunted by Banquo's ghost, visible only to him. This scene dramatically portrays Macbeth's guilty conscience and deteriorating mental state.

Highlight: The appearance of Banquo's ghost represents Macbeth's growing paranoia and guilt.

Lady Macbeth tries to cover for her husband's strange behavior, but cracks in their relationship are beginning to show.

The act ends with Macbeth resolving to visit the witches again, foreshadowing further violence:

Quote: "I am in blood / Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er"

This vivid imagery of being drenched in blood illustrates Macbeth's realization that he is too far gone in his crimes to turn back.

Act 4: The Second Prophecy and the Murder of Macduff's Family

Act 4 sees Macbeth seeking reassurance from the witches and committing his most brutal act yet.

The witches conjure apparitions that give Macbeth new prophecies, seemingly ensuring his safety:

1. Beware Macduff
2. "None of woman born shall harm Macbeth"
3. Macbeth will not be vanquished until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill

Highlight: These prophecies give Macbeth false confidence, leading to his downfall.

Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's family in retaliation for Macduff fleeing to England. This senseless violence marks Macbeth's complete moral degradation.

Quote: "The castle of Macduff I will surprise, / Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line."

In England, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to be an unworthy ruler. Their dialogue reveals Malcolm's virtues and Macduff's integrity.

Example: Malcolm claims to be lustful, greedy, and devoid of kingly virtues to test Macduff's reaction.

The act ends with Macduff learning of his family's murder, vowing revenge on Macbeth.

Act 5: The Fall of Macbeth

The final act depicts Lady Macbeth's madness and Macbeth's last stand against the approaching forces.

Lady Macbeth, consumed by guilt, sleepwalks and tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands:

Quote: "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!"

This scene powerfully illustrates how guilt has destroyed Lady Macbeth's mind.

Macbeth, increasingly isolated, clings to the witches' prophecies even as his enemies approach. His famous "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" soliloquy upon hearing of his wife's death reveals his despair and nihilism:

Quote: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more."

The prophecies are fulfilled in unexpected ways:

• Birnam Wood "moves" as Malcolm's army uses tree branches as camouflage
• Macduff reveals he was "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb, thus not "of woman born"

Highlight: The fulfillment of the prophecies in unexpected ways emphasizes the theme of appearance vs. reality.

Macbeth, realizing his doom, still chooses to fight rather than surrender. He is killed by Macduff, and Malcolm is crowned as the rightful king, restoring order to Scotland.

The play ends with Malcolm's speech, promising to restore Scotland after Macbeth's tyrannical rule.