THE PLOT

There is a war between Duncan, the king of Scotland and the king of Norway.

Two brave generals, Macbeth and Banquo, help defeat the enemy. When returning from battle, they encounter three witches who offer them three predictions: that Macbeth will become Thane (=Lord) of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become kings.

In return for his bravery, Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor. Once home, Lady Macbeth persuades her husband to kill Duncan so as to turn the witches' prophesy into reality. Macbeth stabs Duncan to death (when he comes to visit them): nobody knows who the murderer is and nobody feels safe but Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland. The next step is Banquo and his son's murder as Macbeth thinks he is suspicious of him and because of the third prophesy.

Banquo dies but his son escapes. Macbeth begins to think he's going mad (he sees Banquo's ghost and gets more predictions from the witches) and keeps on killing (Lord Macduff's family). Lady Macbeth becomes mad (due to horror and guilt) and dies.

A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and he is killed by Macduff, who becomes King of Scotland.