Macbeth Study Guide
Characters
Macbeth – He is the Thane of Glamis of the victor of the battle. After hearing that he will become Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland, he becomes power hungry. He assassinates Duncan after his wife goads him into it. At the start of the story, he seems uncertain of himself.
Lady Macbeth – Macbeth’s wife is greedy for power. She puts a lot of pressure on Macbeth to kill the King. She is very ruthless, and often wishes that she were a man, as she sees violence as a man’s prerogative.
Duncan – He is the King of Scotland. He is murdered by Macbeth so that he can become king. He sees Macbeth as a hero because of the battle at the beginning of the story and does not suspect he will be murdered by him.
Malcolm – Malcolm becomes the Prince of Cumberland which means that he will succeed Duncan as King. As Duncan’s successor, Macbeth sees Malcolm as an obstacle to his own coronation.
Donalbain – The king’s youngest son, he does not participate much in the story.
Macduff – He is one of the first nobles to suspect that Macbeth may have killed the King.
Banquo – Macbeth’s friend and ally in the opening battle. Banquo is worried that the witches’ prophecies will lead to bad things. The witches tell him that his descendants will become kings.
Fleance – He is Banquo’s son.
The Witches – They are three ominous sisters who cast spells throughout the play and begin Macbeth’s journey into insanity by prophesying that he will become King.
Summary
Act I, Scene 1 – The three witches meet each other during a storm. They decide to see each other again after a battle is over and they will meet Macbeth in a field.
Act I, Scene 2 – Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, is praised for his bravery in battle by King Duncan. Macbeth is given the Thane of Cawdor’s territory since the previous Thane of Cawdor is going to be executed for treason.
Act I, Scene 3 – The witches begin plotting and they tell Macbeth that he is not only the Thane of Cawdor, but is to become King of Scotland. They tell Banquo that his children are to become future kings of Scotland. Then they vanish into thin air.
Act I, Scene 4 – Duncan has a feast and announces that Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland which means that he is heir to the throne.
Act I, Scene 5 – Lady Macbeth was home alone in Macbeth’s reading a letter from him announcing that the King would be staying at their castle. A messenger arrives, and repeats the information. Lady Macbeth plans to assassinate the King.
Act I, Scene 6 – King Duncan arrives at the castle for the victory feast. Duncan is treated well by Lady Macbeth even though she wants to assassinate him. Duncan wants to see his comrade, Macbeth.
Act I, Scene 7 –Macbeth is reluctantly convinced by his wife to kill the King. They decide to kill Duncan by framing the guards; they will get them drunk and use their blades to kill the King.
Act II, Scene 1 -