Macbeth is a tragedy about ambition and guilt.
The first
act sees Macbeth returning victorious in his battle against the traitorous Thane of Cawdor. As Macbeth and his friend Banquo return from battle, they meet three Witches who prophecy that Macbeth, now Thane of Glamis, will become Thane of Cawdor, and later
King of Scotland. They also prophecy that Banquo's descendents will be kings. Macbeth and Banquo report their victory to King Duncan, the King of Scotland. King Duncan rewards Macbeth by making him Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth thinks about murdering King Duncan in order that he himself can become King of Scotland, as the Witches have prophesied. He writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her of the good news and asking her to prepare for King Duncan, who is coming to visit Macbeth at his castle. Lady Macbeth is as ambitious as Macbeth and outlines a plan to
kill King Duncan while he is sleeping.
In the second act, Lady Macbeth attempts to kill King Duncan in his sleep, but her conscience plagues her and she fails to do the deed. Macbeth takes the knife and kills King Duncan. When King Duncan's murder is discovered by Lord Macduff, Macbeth blames the two guards and kills them. King Duncan's two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee for their lives. Macbeth becomes King of Scotland. The Witches' prophecies are fulfilled.
In act three, Macbeth recalls the Witches' prophecies that Banquo's descendents and not his own will become kings. He employs murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. The murderers manage only to kill Banquo, his son has escaped. Macbeth holds a coronation party, and Banquo's ghost turns up at the party. On seeing Banquo's ghost, Macbeth's conscience plagues him and he reacts violently, making his guests worry about his sanity.
In act four, Macbeth visits the Witches again. They tell him to fear Macduff, but that none born of woman shall harm Macbeth, and that Macbeth has nothing to fear until the "Great Birnam Wood" moves to "High Dunsinane Hill". Macduff and Malcolm plan a battle to overthrow Macbeth.
The final act, act five, sees Macbeth's downfall. Lady Macbeth becomes insane from guilt. Macduff's army, under the camouflage of the Great Birnam Wood, moves towards Macbeth's castle in High Dunsinane Hill. Lady Macbeth dies. Macbeth fights with Macduff. Macbeth tells Macduff that no man born of woman can kill him. Macduff says that he was not naturally born of woman but was born of a Caesarian birth. Macduff kills Macbeth. Malcolm becomes the King of Scotland.
The moral of the story is that evil deeds for the sake of ambition do not pay, you will be forever plagued by guilt.
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