Reading Macbeth

Macbeth tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth, who
receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become
King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife,
Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself. He is
then wracked with guilt and paranoia, and he soon becomes a tyrannical
ruler as he is forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself
from suspicion. The bloodbath swiftly takes Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
into the realms of arrogance, madness, and death.

As we read the play, we will stop to summarise scenes and, at the

end of each Act, record our thoughts on key characters and themes.
Macbeth is the central character and we will also therefore explore
his character, motivations and relationships via a fictional journal
entry at the end of each Act.

READING ACT 1

ACT 1, Scene 1
Scene summary: Scene 1 sets off the mood for the beginning of the
play with an eerie atmosphere. This scene is the beginning of an evil
journey where we meet the witches and listen to their plans about
meeting Macbeth. They will meet Macbeth once the battle has
finished. The witches decide to meet up with Macbeth out on the
open field before sunset.

ACT 1, Scene 2
Scene summary: Duncan states that the current Thane of Cawdor be
executed. The King Duncan rewards Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor
but not directly to his face. Macbeth had defeated the previous
thane who was a Scottish traitor. Duncan was told how bravely
Macbeth and Banquo have fought first against Macdonwald and his
band of rebels.

ACT 1, Scene 3
Scene summary: The witches stop Macbeth and Banquo on their
way to the Kings camp in Forres. They tell them prophecies of
Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor, King and Banquos children
becoming king. Both men are startled, the witches vanish and Ross
and Angus appear to deliver the news. Macbeth becoming Thane of
Cawdor comes true and both men begin to believe in their
prophecies but worry that these partial truths may lead them to
their own destruction. Macbeth thinks to himself for a bit and
considers the options of waiting it out or speeding up the process
and murdering the king. Worried he tells Banquo that once both
men have had time to think they are to meet up and talk again.

ACT 1, Scene 4
Scene summary: Duncan welcomes Macbeth and Banquo, the three
of them engage in praise and talk brimming with flattery. He tells
them that his son Malcolm is he next heir to the throne.

ACT 1, Scene 5
Scene summary: Macbeth writes a letter to his wife Lady Macbeth in
which he explains his situation and asks her to think about murder
and such. Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth is too soft in the heart
and that in order to travel along the road to success he must be
brutal. She wishes for the Lord to take away her feminine qualities
and instead make her a brutal person filled with desire so that she
may help Macbeth. She wishes to help him murder Duncan and
clear any other obstacles that are in the way of his success.

ACT 1, Scene 6
Scene summary: Lady Macbeth and her husband Macbeth welcome
Banquo and Duncan to their palace. Duncan and Banquo remark
and compliment the warm atmosphere of the castle, oblivious to the
dark ideas of Macbeth and his wife. In this way Shakespeare uses
dramatic irony to contrast the warmth and love shown my Macbeth
and Lady Macbeth to the darkness which they possess.

ACT 1, Scene 7

Scene summary: Macbeth has everything in position for the deed to

be carried out but all of a sudden he begins to think about the
consequences and if it is morally correct to lay a hand on Duncan.
He considers how Duncan has been a corruption free king and how
he has only benefitted the people around him and whether
murdering such a king for his own ambition despite his position in
society is right. He ends up deciding that it is wrong and tells his
wife that he will not murder Duncan but she changes his mind. She
with her evil mindset explains that with her plan they will not fail
and that Macbeth should not back out because if he did he would
become the ultimate coward.

ACT 1: notes on characters

Macbeth: He is a man who isnt necessarily a bad person but a
man who is easily convinced. He is torn between what is right and
his own ambition. He has a tendency to listen to his wife who is right
out of her mind. He is considerate but that consideration only leads
him to feel further pain and guilt.
Lady Macbeth: If Macbeth were not part of this story then the play
would revolve around her. She is the most despicable person you
would ever meet. A woman with a pleasant smile but the blackest of
hearts. She is mastermind and the one who fertilises the seed of
murder in Macbeths mind. It is likely that because of her evil ways,
in my opinion I believe she will eventually turn her back on Macbeth.
Duncan and other characters: As of right now they do not have
as much importance as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth but Duncan is
clueless and does not expect it and the witches are probably just
waiting and watching for their drama to unfold.
ACT 1: Notes on themes
Ambition can subvert reason
(Greed) We are not given a full understanding of how loyal Macbeth
would have been before this play but we know that Duncan has a close
connection with Macbeth and the outcome of this battle has only made
it stronger. However Macbeth is greedy and would betray the hand that
feeds him in order to make the prophecies come true. He has
considered unreasonably murdering Duncan all for his new ambition of
becoming King.
Fairness is Foul and Foul is Fairness: This chant of the witches
really does strike at something within our minds. Out of nowhere they
tell us that what we think is right is not right and what we think is
wrong is not wrong. This theme leaves your mind in the grey and keeps
you pondering about what is to come in the play.
Appearance and Reality: Throughout this act we can already see
that where there is opportunity many men consider or betray in order
to achieve whatever they wish. Duncan trusted Cawdor so much,
Cawdor betrayed him. The King now confers the same title onto

Macbeth in great trust, and Macbeth shall betray him in the worst
possible way. In one way we may say that this is a theme of Trust.
Temptation and its allurement: Temptation really does bring out a
mans true character. In Macbeths case we are able to see his dark
side and how he is being pulled at by the collar to committing a sin.
However this is not the real Macbeth, we see that he struggles and
fights these evil thoughts.

ACT 1: Macbeth journal entry

Its been an eventful few days and I honestly have allot of things on
my mind. I really just want to live peacefully but at the same time
even though I have allot a man could ask for I still feel that I should
get to the top even if it means killing Duncan. No, that isnt right.
Duncan has only benefitted the ones he has ruled over what has he
ever done to deserve this kind of fate? None of this would have ever
happened if those witches had meddled into my business but then
again their prophecy amuses me and who knows where it will leave
me ending up at. Oh well I think I really shouldnt go and murder
Duncan, everyones so settled and all is well. I should let sleeping
dogs lie. I plan on telling my wife about my thoughts, I wonder if
shell agree with me and live the lavish life with me free of guilt and
pain.

READING ACT 2

ACT 2, Scene 1
Macbeth is on the way to Duncans bed chamber to murder him and meets
with Banquo and his son. Banquo tells Macbeth how he has been dreaming of
the witches and is unable to sleep. After arranging to meet up again in an
hour or so to discuss these matters Banquo bids Macbeth goodnight and they
part ways. Macbeth once alone hallucinates and sees a dagger pointing in the
direction of Duncan. He grabs at it but it vanishes. He proceeds with his task
while comparing him to murder itself.

ACT 2, Scene 2
Scene summary:
Having medicated the watchmen of Duncan's chamber, Lady Macbeth now
meets her spouse in the lower yard as he rises up out of the lord's room itself.
Macbeth's inner voice is unmistakably aggravated by what he has done, and

again his wife scrutinizes his absence of immovability. The achievement of

their plot is likewise in peril in light of the fact that Macbeth has brought the
daggers with him. Lady Macbeth goes to smear the red stained daggers upon
the faces of the servants. As the scene closes a furious knocking presents
itself upon the door.

ACT 2, Scene 3
Scene summary:
The knocking continues but the Porter is so drunk that he decides to pretend
that he is the gate keeper of hell. He jokes about the sinners he might let in.
Eventually he opens the door to Lennox and Macduff who have instructed to
receive the king so that they may leave. Through events Macduff finds out the
king has been murdered and the news spreads like wildfire. Macbeth admits to
killing one of the servants and Lady Macbeth faints. In all this Chaos Malcolm
and Donald Bain decide to flee in order to protect their own lives which they
believe are at stake.

ACT 2, Scene 4
Scene summary: Ross, an English nobleman speaks with an old man
who tells him that throughout his whole life nothing has compared
to the past two days. All is unnatural and they discuss how the
natural order has been disturbed. It was as if Mother Nature was
upset and wished to go to war with mankind. The two men confirm
that Duncans sons have fled and that Macbeth is to become king.

ACT 2: notes on characters

Macbeth: It is evident now that even though Macbeth had
committed such a sin it was not of his character to complete this
task in the first place. It is true that under normal circumstances
that he would consider it but never take out such a deed. He was
made to act with his eyes closed and realises that his ambitions and
Lady Macbeths reassuring words are nothing compared to the
disturbance within his mind. He has opened his eyes only to fall into
a state of regret upon seeing the horrid act he has completed. What
proves that Macbeth wants to turn back time and undo what he has
done is the fact that on mistake he admits to killing off a servant,
which was not part of the original plan but most likely spoken out of
his own guilt and limited reasoning. Macbeths mind must be
flooding with feelings and due to this he really has no idea what to
do.

Lady Macbeth: No matter how cruel, fearless and confident she is

she still has a conscious and we see this after she faints due to
Macbeths blunder. Her true character permits her to faint after
realising that Macbeth has led them onto a path of suspicion.
Banquo: As of recently Banquo and his dreams have taken a
portion of the readers attention as his dreams involving weird
sisters tell us that Shakespeare is not finished with this tale of
tragedy but is planning yet another plot alongside Macbeths one.
Others: One of the questions you can really ask is; honestly who is
pulling the strings? Is Macbeth and his wife really the ones in control
or is this all just a game for the witches. The witches have made a
sudden appearance in Banquos dreams and Duncans sons have all
fled allowing the path to become King clear for Macbeth.

ACT 2: Notes on themes

The wall between Fate and Free Will is thin: Often people say
you are only the man you make yourself to be. People say that you
will be laughed at if you live on your beliefs. People say that there it
doesnt matter who you are the only things that matter are the
results you produce. Macbeth has been given a prophecy and is
convinced that it is his fate. However something that is worthy of
being discussed is how despite knowing his fate Macbeth envisions
bloody daggers that point towards his goal and murders Duncan in
order to become king.
Blood cannot be washed: The idea that no matter how much
water you use or how thoroughly you rub you will never be able to
purify yourself after you have murdered someone is taken on when
Macbeth says All the water in the world will not clean my hands, all
the oceans upon coming into contact with my hands will only bring
stains to themselves. It is a theme to be considered as it relates to
guilt and human emotions that relate to grief and such.
If you disturb the balance of Nature then it will disturb you:
Throughout the act we are shown how uncanny events related to
animals and such are happening all over the land. The horses are
eating themselves, the fiercest birds in the skies are being attacked
by Owls who only hunt for mice and the skies are struggling to keep
the daylight alive because it seems as tho the darkness has grown.
Macbeth through mostly his own conscious has understood that
because he has messed with the natural order of things he will
disturbed in return. This is especially backed up by when he hears
Macbeth has murdered sleep and therefor will not sleep again
ACT 2: Macbeth journal entry

What have I done! Why are my hands so red! When did I become
such a monster! I honestly do not know how long I will be able to
bear with these emotions that stir inside me. Voices I hear, spirits
whisper to me. I have murdered Duncan, my peaceful king. Oh how I
regret my actions. Oh well what has been done has been done, I
must return to Lady Macbeth and leave all my suspicions behind.

READING ACT 3

ACT 3, Scene 1
Scene summary: Banquo has his suspicions on Macbeth. They are
about to have a feast and so he promises Macbeth he will be back in
time for the feast. Macbeth understands that through this situation
Banquo suspects him or if he doesnt he is still his biggest threat. He
realises that the reason he may have become king is to in the end
hand over the kingship to Banquos son. He has done the dirty work
so that Fleance and his sons may rule. So Macbeth has decided to
hire two murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance. He has fed them lies
but the two men are desperate anyway so they listen to Macbeth
and will kill Banquo away from the castle.
ACT 3, Scene 2
Scene summary: Lady Macbeth sends a servant to fetch Macbeth
because she is concerned. Macbeth enters and tells his wife that he
too is discontented, saying that his mind is full of scorpions. He
feels that the business that they began by killing Duncan is not yet
complete because there are still threats to the throne that must be
eliminated. He is acting on his own and has not even discussed with
Lady Macbeth that he plans on killing Banquo until now that is. He
admits to becoming evil and tells her to wait and watch his events
unfold. Before he tricks her by telling her to be kind to him when he
returns to the feast but he wont return to the feast as by then he
will be dead.
ACT 3, Scene 3
Scene summary: It is not long till night will fall. The two murderers
are joined by a third waiting for Banquo to arrive. After some time
Banquo and his son arrive lighting a torch. The murderers strike
killing Banquo who urges his son to flee. The torch is extinguished
and in the darkness Fleance escapes. The murderers collect

Banquos body and go to tell Macbeth of the deed that has been
completed.

ACT 3, Scene 4
Scene summary: The Macbeth's welcome their visitors to the meal.
The murderer illuminates Macbeth that Banquo is presently dead
however Macbeth turns pale when he is told Fleance isn't dead in
light of the fact that he now may have the capacity to risk Macbeth's
throne. Upon re-entering the lounge area, Macbeth see's Banquo's
phantom sitting in his seat and starts to act abnormally, bringing on
his visitors to suspect his temperament. Lady Macbeth consoles
everyone, however the vision of Banquo returns and Macbeth has a
fit. Macbeth begins telling lady Macbeth how the craftiest of
murders are exposed and so he believes that their plan may be in
jeopardy.

ACT 3, Scene 5
Scene summary:
The Witches meet again on the moor to discuss their actions, along
with their Queen, Hecate, who scolds them for the trouble that
theyve caused and for not notifying her of their actions. Hecate is
angry at the fact that the Witches didnt tell her about the plot and
therefore Hecate was not able to take part in this deed. Hecate
plans to meet Macbeth and the Witches exit. The witches meet up
again only to be scolded by Hecate their witch queen for not letting
her in on their mischief despite being their boss. She now takes a
part in their mischief and plans to tell Macbeth his future but at the
same time decide to put him in a troublesome situation and destroy
him using his own confidence.

ACT 3, Scene 6
Scene summary: Lennox and another Lord have a discussion over
Macbeth and his rule. Lennox starts off by saying that Macbeth has
dealt with this situation well and that the guilt within the murdered
men belong to their respective sons. However the other Lord states
that Macbeth has stolen the throne and the original way of life. They
come to a silent mutual agreement that Macbeth may be
responsible for the disturbed state of Scotland and call him a tyrant.
Macduff who believes that Macbeth is the real enemy refuses to
come to Scotland while the two men plead for his return.

ACT 3: notes on characters

Macbeth: throughout the play Lady Macbeth often asks Macbeth if
he is a man but to the audience Macbeth isnt a true man. He never
was and he never will be as of right now he is only becoming
delusional. The traumatic experiences from murdering Duncan have
changed him. As he wades deeper into this game of kill to live and is
surrounded only by blood. Macbeth sees only what leads him to
misfortune and cannot make sense of his own situation. He once
hesitated at only the thought of killing Duncan but now ruthlessly he
sends men to finish off anyone who stands in his way. Macbeth is no
longer the man we once knew.
Lady Macbeth: In the beginning Lady Macbeth was the evil one
who ordered Macbeth to carry out sins but no even she is unaware
of the schemes that Macbeth has put in place. She seems more
sensible than Macbeth as she tries to calm everyone down at the
banquet and tell Macbeth off for having hallucinations created from
his feelings of hidden guilt.
Murderers: The murderers are desperate men who without further
research listen to Macbeth. Their desperation is caused by the fact
that they have gone through so many hardships that they do not
care anymore. They become important when they let Fleance
escape in which interesting events occur enhancing the plot.
Others: Some of the audience may believe that Macbeths end is
nigh as the witches, Lennox, other Lords, Malcom and many
characters are against him. They call him a tyrant and wish for a
saviour to save them and bring back the original way of life that
Macbeth had stolen.

ACT 3: Notes on themes

Are you a man: What is a man and what must one do to become a
man? Does ones actions make him a man or does the way of
thinking make one a man? Who is truly a real man? These are all
questions that this theme makes us ponder about. Macbeths wife
always nagged Macbeth about being a real man and getting the job
done but she still tells him to be a man even though he has grown
some courage.
The deeper his arms sink in blood, the more violent and
horrified he becomes: We are shown throughout these three acts
that Macbeth has changed, but in what way has he changed
exactly? Has he become clever? Has his deceptive skill increased or
has he truly become a man? The answer is that he has become
none of these rather that he has become more violent and acts as if
murder is nothing only because he is gradually becoming more
paranoid and worrying about his own position.

The repercussions of acting on ambition without moral

constraint: The play is nearing its end and the plot is about to take
its final turn and we can see glimpses of the forever ending hole in
the ground that Macbeth will fall into. In the beginning we had an
idea that ambition can subvert reasoning. Now this theme shows us
that only the worst of consequences can come from acting
ambitiously without moral constraint.

ACT 3: Macbeth journal entry

I am who I am and no one shall stand in my way. I am disappointed
in my murderers for only completing half of the deed. Those damn
idiots couldnt even kill Fleance. No matter Banquo is dead and his
son is a mere mouse compared to my tyrannous power. It has been
quite the hectic few days. Even though all seems to be well I feel
that my rule is under not the shade of comfort but the overcast of a
dark storm cloud. It feels as if the more blood that evaporates from
my fallen enemies the harder and faster it will rain.

READING ACT 4

ACT 4, Scene 1
Scene summary: The witches accumulate on the field to meet
Macbeth. Macbeth makes the witches guarantee to answer his
inquiries and thus, they make predictions identifying with Macbeth's
future. The nebulous visions cautioned Macbeth about Macduff, no
lady conceived will hurt him and he might fall when the woodland
comes to Macbeth, which produces dread into Macbeth. Banquo's
apparition seems once more, reigniting the demise of a pure man by
his gruff razor sharp edge. Lennox advises Macbeth that Macduff
has fled to England and accordingly Macbeth sends killers to catch
and execute Macduff.

ACT 4, Scene 2
Scene summary: Woman Macduff gripes about Macduff's sudden
escape from the kingdom, leaving his titles and his family behind at
an expense which she is not able to tolerate what sort of trepidation
has contaminated Macduff. Ross tries to solace her however takes
off. The delivery person comes to caution her about the peril ahead
and to escape with her child instantly. In any case its past the point

of no return. The killers enter and slaughter her child and Lady
Macduff is compelled to escape with the killers tailing her.

ACT 4, Scene 3
Scene summary: The two men Malcolm and Macduff sit together
discussing how they may overpower Macbeth and their thoughts on
the aftermath. Malcolm is jumpy in respect to what Macduff may do,
having fled his family and may be working for Macbeth. It is short
until both men have each other respect and shortly Ross enters to
illuminate Macduff his family is well (incidentally) and urges Malcolm
to come back to Scotland to turn over a destined Scotland. However
Macduff's illumination is fleeting as Ross offers into reality about
Macduff's family, engaging Macduff's outrage to execute Macbeth.

ACT 4: notes on characters

Macbeth: Macbeth has become a mad man he has a lost all
reasoning and is staining the green fields of Scotland red. No longer
is he trying to be subtle and everyone accuses him for starting
these horrid chain of events. He is no longer able to think on his
own and goes to the witches to understand his future.
Macduff: We recently learn that Macduff had run away from
Scotland leaving behind his wife and children believing that this way
all of them would remain safe. He was undoubtedly wrong and the
line between fear and anger within him is no longer distinguishable.
He will lead many good men into battle along with Malcolm and
bring Scotland back to a state of peace.
Malcolm: Malcolm is a clever man. The events that relate to him
have led him to trust no one. Thus leading him to bring up such an
act of paranoia in front of Macduff. He is unclear in how to defeat
Macbeth and after trusting Macduff is looking up to him just as if he
were his own teacher. The Scottish empire has fallen and all is
turning to rubble in the ground.

ACT 4: Notes on themes

Manhood comprises more than aggression and murder;
allowing oneself to be sensitive and to feel grief is also
necessary: Linking to the original theme of what it means to be a
man. This line basically means that being aggressive and powerful
only makes half a man. If a man does not weep to his sorrows before

sharpening his sword then he is not a man. It is necessary to feel

grief in order to be a true man.

When Chaos is thick trust will become thin: IN all this chaos
Malcolm does not know who to trust and therefore rises his little act
of paranoia in order to really find out if he can trust Macduff. This
really isnt that much a theme as by common sense it is only
reasonable that such a line would be true.
ACT 4: Macbeth journal entry
I will finish them all, the witches have told me my future and the
fate that lies upon me. Banquo and his sons will never rule. I will
face fate and cutthroat it just as I once did to Banquo. I must rid all
of those who oppose my rule. I will finish off Macduff and his family.
How dare they underestimate my power. Scotland is now under my
rule everything will go my way and I will enforce this.

READING ACT 5

ACT 5, Scene 1
Scene summary: Within this scene the doctor and the gentlewoman
spy on Lady Macbeth during the night because they are suspicious
on how she sleepwalks and pretend to wash her hands during the
night. As they watch Lady Macbeth they eventually find out that
they are guilty of something. She has some part in killing off
Banquo.

ACT 5, Scene 2
Scene summary: Macbeth is mad. He is in a rage and is making
preparations to fight the Scottish Lords who plan to meet the English
army near Birnam Wood in order to kill Macbeth.

ACT 5, Scene 3

Scene summary: Macbeth boasts about his fearlessness towards the

oncoming army since he believes in the apparition that none of
woman born can harm him. He calls for Seyton, who informs him of
the current situation of 10 000 English soldiers are heading towards
his castle. After Macbeth is told about his wifes delusions, he orders
Seyton to cure her.

ACT 5, Scene 4
Scene Summary: Malcolm hiding with his mean in Birnam Wood
understands that Macbeths castle has been fortified so in order to
take it down each soldier must do the following. Each soldier must
cut down a part of the forest and disguise themselves with it. So
that Macbeth is not as suspecting of the coming soldiers.
ACT 5, Scene 5
Scene summary: The witches prophecies come true as a messenger
comes to Macbeth to tell him that the groves are moving from the
Forest. Macbeth then declares that he has been defeated as Lady
Macbeth has passed away. He states that life is a fools tale told by
an idiot. He has lost his will to live and all his strength has floated
away. Even though he feels his power is nothing anymore he will die
fighting.

ACT 5, Scene 6
Scene summary: The Battle begins and sound effects follow.

ACT 5, Scene 7
Scene summary: Macbeth fights with all his might and ends up
slaying Lord Siwards son and shortly after disappears into the fray.
Macduff furious follows him on intention to kill him himself. Macduff
finally meets Macbeth and they fight till Macbeth dies. Macbeth
expresses his hate for Malcolm and says that the witches
prophecies make him immortal. Macduffs blade slices Macbeth and
they take his head to give to Siward. They curse the Macbeths and
crown Malcolm. Malcolm invites his friends to watch him be crowned
at Scone.

ACT 5: notes on characters

Closing Act: Macbeth is as good as dead. Lady Macbeth dies Siwards
son dies. Macduff and Malcolm end up killing Macbeth everyone

seems to either die or have a killing intent. Everything turns out

alright and despite whatever has happened in the past all ends well.
Justice is brought to all the wrong doers.

ACT 5: Notes on themes

Alls well that ends well: Despite all the tragedies and mishaps
that we have read through you will feel at peace knowing that the
end result is more or less fine.

ACT 5: Macbeth journal entry

Battle today. Not enough time to write a journal entry. See you all in
hell ^^