Macbeth: Knowledge Organiser: first performed 1606
Plot
Act 1: Macbeth and Banquo meet the Witches after winning
a mighty victory. They are sceptical of the Witches
prophecy until Cawdor is executed. Lady Macbeth reads the
letter. The plot to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth taunts
Macbeth. Duncan arrives at Inverness.
Act 2: Macbeth commits regicide against Duncan despite
having terrifying visions.. Malcom and Donalbain flee.
Macbeth is crowned king of Scotland.
Act 3: Banquo suspects Macbeth is guilty. Banquo is killed.
Fleance escapes. Banquos ghost haunts Macbeth.
Act 4: The Witches show Macbeth future kings sons of
Banquo. Despite this Macbeth feels secure: Burnham Woods
have to move and he cannot be harmed by a man born of
woman. He murders Macduffs family. Malcom says he is
dishonest to test Macduffs loyalty. They form an army in
England and march on Scotland.
Act 5: Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and dies. Macduff kills
Macbeth. Malcom becomes king of Scotland.
Characters
Macbeth: ambitious, brutal, ruthless. Flawed tragic hero.
He is the eponymous protagonist. A good man who goes
wrong.
Lady Macbeth: ambitious, manipulative, devious. She
defies gender norms and is a powerful female character.
However, she does go mad which shows fragility.
The Witches: mystic, omniscient, otherworldly. Often in
isolated places, control the narrative.
Banquo: friend of Macbeth who he betrays. Comes back
and haunts Macbeth as a ghost.
Duncan: a good king who likes and respects Macbeth.
Malcom: son of Duncan. Becomes king. Represents order.
Donalbain: Malcoms younger brother.
Macduff: enemy of Macbeth, desires revenge for the killing
of his family.
Fleance: son of Banquo who disappears from the narrative.
Will presumably become king if the prophecies are true.
Shakespeares message and intention
Unchecked ambition is destructive and dangerous.
Nobility and honour can become corrupted, both
by internal and external forces.
The natural order of the world always rights itself.
Perhaps we do not control our own destiny.
Wanted to entertain and pay homage to James I.
Macbeth Plot
Key Quotes
Macbeth
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting
ambition. (Planning murder of Duncan) (Act I scene vii)
Out, out, brief candle. Lifes but a walking shadow (death of Lady
Macbeth) (Act V scene v)
Stars hide your fires let not light see my dark desires. (Darkness)
(Act I scene iv)
I am in blood stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, returning
were as tedious as go o'er.(Act III scene iv)
Lady Macbeth
Fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty.
(Planning murder of Duncan) (Act I scene v)
He is too full o' the milk of human kindness (Act 1 scene v)
Out, damned spot; out, I say. (Guilt) (Act V scene i)
Witches
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! (Act I scene iii)
Fair is foul, and foul is fair; hover through the fog and filthy air.
(Act I scene i)
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble (Act
IV scene i)
Context
Intertextuality: Shakespearian tragedies: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear.
Daemonologie (1597) Holinsheds Chronicles (1577)
James I: belief in divine right, interest in the supernatural, Scottish
lineage. Replacing Elizabeth I, a strong queen.
Tragic Hero: (Aristotles Poetics)
Key terminology
Regicide -king killing Tenebrosity dark/ shadowy
Soliloquy - speech on ones own Tragedy downfall of protagonist
Monologue - long speech playwright / play /character
Language, structure and form
Language: Generally iambic pentameter, some prose for poor
characters. Steeped in motifs of darkness, blood and ambition. Lots
of animal imagery.
Structure: linear and chronological makes the play easier to
understand. Short scenes in act V build sense of action and pace.
Some events are described not shown (death of Duncan, crowning of
Macbeth) Follows five act structure; exposition, rising action,
climax, falling action and catastrophe.
Form: Tragic play.
Macbeth: Knowledge Organiser: first performed 1606
Act 1
S1 Meet the witches. There is a storm and they plan to meet Macbeth.
S2 A wounded sergeant tells Duncan about Macbeths bravery in the war against the rebels.
S3 Witches talk to Macbeth and Banquo, they tell Macbeth hell be king and Banquos heirs will be king.
S4 The soldiers meet up after the war and discuss their triumph. Malcom is ordained as Dunacans heir.
S5 Audience meets Lady Macbeth. She has great ambitions for her husband.
S6 Duncan arrives at Dunsinane and is relaxed.
S7 Macbeth debates killing Duncan with himself. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan.
Act 2
S1 Macbeth speaks to honest Banquo with falsehoods. Macbeth sees dagger. Duncan killed (offstage)
S2 Macbeth and Lady Macbeth cover up killing of Duncan, framing his servants. Lady Macbeth takes control here.
S3 Porter (metaphorical guardian of hell?) Murder Discovered. Malcom and Donaldbain flee.
S4 There is a sense of magic and impending chaos. Duncans horse has fled. There are ill omens over Scotland.
Act 3
S1 Banquo suspects Macbeth is guilty. Macbeth invites Banquo to a feast and plots his murder with the murders.
S2 - Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that hes plagued by bad dreams. She convinces him be brave. It is night.
S3 Banquo murdered in the woods. Fleance escapes. He exits the play entirely, presumably to rule later?
S4 A banquet. Macbeth, initially humorous, is agitated by Banquos ghost. Lady Macbeth tries to cover his actions.
S5 Hectaes speech. She is angry with the others for not including her. She seems omnipotent and omniscient.
S6 An army forms in England; they will overthrow Macbeth. They seem ordered and calm. Contrast to Macbeth?
Act 4
S1 The witches make a potion. Macbeth arrives and demands answers. They say he will be invincible until Burnham
wood moves and that none born of women can harm him. Macbeth is angered and plans to crush Macduff.
S2 Lady Macduff harangues her husbands escape without her. Her son is slaughtered by Macbeths men on stage.
S3 In England. Malcom and Macduff discuss failings of Scotland and praise England. Macduff hears of familys
end.
Act 5
S1 - Lady Macbeth is ill in her mind. Her words suggest guilt. She imagines she is talking to Macbeth who is absent.
S2 The English army is on the march.
S3 Macbeth shows hubris. He doesnt want reports. He treats his men badly. He dons armour as his men flee.
S4 - The English army cut down Burnham wood to hide their numbers. The witches second prophecy is coming true.
S5 Macbeth is told of Lady Macbeths death. He hears of the woods moving. He decides to die in battle.
S6 The men go into battle. There is a sense of catharsis.
S7- Macbeth is trapped but slaughters young Siward.
S8 Macbeth and Macduff meet on the field of battle. Macbeth is slain by Macduff.
S9 Malcom is crowned king of Scotland.

Questions

Which scenes are ordered? Which scenes are chaotic?

Where does Macbeth seem like a hero? Where does he seem like a villain?
Do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth truly love each other?
Where do we feel sympathetic for Macbeth?
Where do we feel sympathetic for the enemies of Macbeth?
Do the witches know all? If so, why doesnt Fleance become king at the end?
Why is Duncan killed off stage?
Where do supernatural events occur? Do they have anything in common?
Where do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experience guilt?
How does each scene leave the audience feeling?
If the witches didnt exist would Macbeth still become king?
If Lady Macbeth didnt exist would Macbeth become king?