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Learn about Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's darkest and most psychologically intense plays, with this comprehensive study guide. Find summaries, analyses, quotes, and adaptations of the classic tragedy about ambition and tyranny.
- Setting
Over the course of the play, Macbeth moves from his castle...
- Foreshadowing
Macbeth’s bloody hands. When Macbeth first meets his wife...
- Themes
Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas...
- Plot Summary
A short summary of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. This free...
- Quick Quiz
How well do you know Shakespeare's Macbeth? Take this quick...
- Allusions
SparkNotes Plus subscription is $4.99/month or $24.99/year...
- Act 3: Scenes 1–3
A summary of Act 3: Scenes 1–3 in William Shakespeare's...
- William Shakespeare & Macbeth Background
Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest tragedy, Macbeth tells...
- Setting
A concise and comprehensive overview of Shakespeare's Macbeth, a tragedy about a Scottish general who murders his way to the throne and is haunted by guilt and prophecy. Learn about the characters, themes, plot, and historical context of this classic play.
- 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
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
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...
Learn about the plot, characters, and themes of Macbeth Act 1: Scenes 1–4, where Macbeth encounters the witches and receives a prophecy of his future. Read a scene-by-scene summary and analysis of the play's first act.
LitCharts offers a comprehensive and interactive guide to Shakespeare's Macbeth, with summaries, analysis, themes, quotes, characters, symbols, and more. Learn about the historical and literary context, the plot, the themes, and the literary devices of Macbeth.
Dive into our comprehensive guide to ace your Shakespeare assignments. Macbeth, William Shakespeare, scene summary, scene summaries, chapter summary, chapter summaries, short summary, criticism, literary criticism, review, scene synopsis, interpretation, teaching, lesson plan.
LitCharts provides a concise and comprehensive overview of Macbeth, William Shakespeare's tragedy about a Scottish thane who murders his way to the throne. Learn about the characters, themes, quotes, and literary devices in this classic play.
Sep 5, 2023 · A comprehensive overview of Shakespeare's Macbeth, a tragedy about a Scottish lord who murders the king to become king himself. Learn about the plot, the characters, the themes, and the witches' prophecies in this play.
