On a bleak Scottish moorland the generals of King Duncan, Macbeth and Banquo, discover three strange women, who prophesy that Macbeth will be promoted and then become King of Scotland, while Banquo's heirs shall be kings. The generals want to hear more but the weird sisters disappear. Duncan creates Macbeth Thane of Cawdor in thanks for his success in the recent battles and then proposes to make a brief visit to Macbeth's castle.

Lady Macbeth receives news from her husband of the prophecy and his new title and she vows to help him become king by whatever means are necessary. Macbeth's return is followed almost at once by Duncan's arrival with his court and a feast is prepared. The Macbeths plot together and later that night, while all are sleeping and after his wife has given the guards drugged wine, Macbeth kills the King and his guards. Almost immediately he regrets the action but is reproved by Lady Macbeth. She leaves the bloody daggers by the dead king just before a knocking at the gate wakes the Porter. Macduff arrives and when the murder is discovered Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain flee, fearing for their lives, but they are nevertheless blamed for the deed.

Macbeth is elected King of Scotland, but is plagued by feelings of insecurity. He arranges for Banquo and his son, Fleance to be killed, but in the dark the boy escapes the assassins. At his state banquet Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and disconcerts the courtiers with his strange manner. His wife, now Queen, tries to calm him but is rejected.

Macbeth seeks out the weird sisters and learns from them that he will be safe until a wood surrounds his castle. He need fear no-one born of woman, but the Scottish succession will come from Banquo's son. Macbeth embarks on a reign of terror and many, including Macduff's family are slaughtered, while Macduff himself has gone to seek Malcolm at the court of the English king, Edward the Confessor. Malcolm is young and unsure of himself but Macduff persuades him to lead an army against Macbeth.

Macbeth feels safe in his remote castle at Dunsinane until he is told that Birnam Wood is moving towards him. (Malcolm's army is carrying branches from the forest as camouflage for their assault on the stronghold.) Meanwhile Lady Macbeth, overwrought and ill walks in her sleep and gives away her secrets to the doctor. She dies, unmourned as the final battle commences.

Macduff challenges Macbeth who, on learning his adversary is the child of a Ceasarian birth, realises he is doomed. Macduff triumphs and brings the head of the traitor to Malcolm who declares peace and goes to Scone to be crowned king in his turn.

'Macbeth' was first printed in the First Folio of 1623.

© Marian J. Pringle
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust