01.

08 Macbeth Plot Analysis Graphic Organizer

Plot Elements
Element
Exposition:

Definition

Act in the Play

What you need to know.

Background information is
presented, main characters are
introduced, and the conflict is
established.

Setting: Scotland
Main characters: Macbeth, Lady
Macbeth, Duncan, the witches

The conflicts and challenges

encountered by the characters.
How they respond keeps the
story moving forward.

-witches prophecies
-Lady Macbeth wanting to kill
Duncan
-Lady Macbeth getting Macbeth to
kill Duncan

The turning point in the

conflict. Tension builds until
the main character must make
a decision or take action that
determines the direction of the
story.

-Lady Macbeth comes up with a

plan and gets the guards drunk
- Macbeth kills Duncan

The events that occur after the

main character makes the key
decision in the story.

-Macbeth gets crowned king of

Scotland
-witches give him 3 more
prophecies
-Macbeth murders Macbeths family
-Lady Macbeth kills herself
-Macduff kills Macbeth

The resolution is where all the

questions are answered and
loose ends are tied, providing
a clear ending.

-Malcom becomes king of Scotland

-Order is restored

Rising Action:

Climax:

Falling Action:

Resolution:

Plot Analysis
As you read the scenes in this lesson, take notes on important events in the story. Provide the line
or lines from the play that relate to the event. Stop and think for a moment about why that event
is important for the story and add your thoughts in the space provided.
Choose a minimum of three events.
Event

Text Support

Why is it important to the story?

How ist with me,

when every noise
appals me?
What hands are here!
Ha, they pluck out
mine eyes.
It shows how Lady Macbeth was the dominant figure in the
Macbeth
Will all great
relationship. Even though Macbeth was reluctant to kill
killing
Neptunes ocean
Duncan like Lady Macbeth wanted, he still did it. However,
Duncan and wash this blood
afterwards, he was overwhelmed with guilt and felt as
having guilt Clean from my hand?
though he would never forget about it.
No, this my hand will
rather
The multitudinous
seas incarnadine,
Making the green one
red.

Lady
Macbeths
death

The combination of his loss of power and Lady Macbeths

passing caused Macbeth to fall apart. He says that there is
She should have
no purpose for life. In a way it makes his previous bad
died hereafter.
actions seems less bad since he said theyre meaningless
There would have
been a time for such a
word.
Tomorrow, and
tomorrow, and
tomorrow
Creeps in this petty
pace from day to day
To the last syllable of

recorded time.
And all our
yesterdays have
lighted fools
The way to dusty
death. Out, out, brief
candle

All hail, Macbeth!

Hail to thee, Thane of
Glamis! All hail,
Macbeth! Hail to
Witches thee, Thane of
prophecies Cawdor! All hail,
Macbeth! That shalt
be king hereafter!

Important to the story because it is what started to change

Macbeths morals, behaviors and thoughts. Before the
witches said this he didnt believe he would become king
but he started questioning it since the witches said he
would.

Reflection
Choose one of the events you added to your graphic organizer and think about why it is an
important piece of the plot. Focus on the purpose it serves in the story. Consider how the story
would change if that event was altered. Form your ideas into a reflection paragraph of at least
five sentences. Make sure to include supporting evidence from the play in your reflection.

I think that the witches prophecy All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All
hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter!
is such an important event because it was a turning point in Macbeths outlook. He began
thinking he did have a chance at becoming king since the witches said he did. If the witches
didnt say this then maybe Lady Macbeth wouldnt have been so determined to make Macbeth
king and kill Duncan in the process. Macbeth may have stayed a noble and humble hero instead
of a man hungry for power.