When Macbeth meets three witches who predict he will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, madness born of ambition sets in, and he and his wife seize power by all possible means, leading to murderous consequences.

Synopsis

The Prophecy

Macbeth and Banquo, generals in the service of Queen Duncan of Scotland, are returning victorious from battle when they are hailed by three witches who predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, whereas Banquo's descendants will one day be kings.

Becoming King

The first part of the prophecy is soon fulfilled when Duncan rewards Macbeth's loyal service. Encouraged by this, and playing on her husband's ambition, Lady Macbeth persuades him to murder Duncan while she is a guest at their castle. Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan's children, flee to England for safety. Macbeth, now king, has Banquo murdered in an attempt to secure his own position, but Banquo's ghost appears to him at a banquet.

A Second Visit

Macbeth visits the witches again. They warn him to beware of Macduff, a noble who has also fled to England, but assure him that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman. Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's wife and children.

Test of Loyalty

In England, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty and they then raise an army to march against Macbeth. However Macbeth, armed with the witches' prophecy, believes that he is invincible.

Stop reading now if you don't want to know how it ends...

As his enemies draw nearer, Macbeth learns that his wife has killed herself. He faces Macduff in combat but when he discovers Macduff was born by Caesarian section (i.e. not 'born of woman'), Macbeth realises his own vulnerability.

Macduff slays Macbeth, Malcolm is crowned Queen of Scotland.