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Find a comprehensive overview of Macbeth, Shakespeare's tragedy about the rise and fall of a tyrannical king. Learn about the play's themes, characters, quotes, and adaptations with SparkNotes.
A short summary of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of Macbeth.
A brief overview of Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, with information on the plot, characters, themes, motifs, and symbols. Learn about the Three Witches, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth's soliloquy, and the curse of the play's name.
Find everything you need to know about Macbeth, Shakespeare's tragic drama about a Scottish king's rise and fall. Get summaries, analysis, themes, quotes, characters, symbols, and more.
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 1
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 2
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 3
- Summary: Act 1: Scene 4
- Analysis: Act 1, Scenes 1–4
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Thunder and lightning crash above a Scottish moor. Three haggard old women, the witches, appear out of the storm. In eerie, chanting tones, they make plans to meet again upon the heath, after the battle, to confront Macbeth. As quickly as they arrive, they disappear. Read a translation of Act 1: Scene 1
At a military camp near his palace at Forres, King Duncan of Scotland asks a wounded captain for news about the Scots’ battle with the Irish invaders, who are led by the rebel Macdonwald. The captain, who was wounded helping Duncan’s son Malcolm escape capture by the Irish, replies that the Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo fought with great cou...
On the heath near the battlefield, thunder rolls and the three witches appear. One says that she has just come from “[k]illing swine” and another describes the revenge she has planned upon a sailor whose wife refused to share her chestnuts. Suddenly a drum beats, and the third witch cries that Macbeth is coming. Macbeth and Banquo, on their way to ...
At the king’s palace, Duncan hears reports of Cawdor’s execution from his son Malcolm, who says that Cawdor died nobly, confessing freely and repenting of his crimes. Macbeth and Banquo enter with Ross and Angus. Duncan thanks the two generals profusely for their heroism in the battle, and they profess their loyalty and gratitude toward Duncan. Dun...
These scenes establish the play’s dramatic premise—the witches’ awakening of Macbeth’s ambition—and present the main characters and their relationships. At the same time, the first three scenes establish a dark mood that permeates the entire play. The stage directions indicate that the play begins with a storm, and malignant supernatural forces imm...
A comprehensive overview of the first four scenes of Shakespeare's Macbeth, with detailed summaries, analysis, and translations. Learn about the witches, the battle, the king, and Macbeth's ambition.
Read a comprehensive notes on Macbeth, a famous tragedy by William Shakespeare. Learn about the plot, characters, themes, and analysis of the play.
Complete summary of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. eNotes plot summaries cover all the significant action of Macbeth.
