Act 1, scene 3 The three witches greet Macbeth as “Thane of Glamis” (as he is), “Thane of Cawdor,” and “king hereafter.” They then promise Banquo that he will father kings, and they disappear.Duncan orders the execution of the rebel thane of Cawdor and sends messengers to announce to Macbeth that he has been given Cawdor’s title. Act 1, scene 2 Duncan, king of Scotland, hears an account of the success in battle of his noblemen Macbeth and Banquo.Act 1, scene 1 Three witches plan to meet Macbeth.Macduff kills Macbeth and Malcolm becomes Scotland’s king. He learns that the promises are tricks, but continues to fight. Malcolm and Macduff lead an army against Macbeth, as Lady Macbeth goes mad and commits suicide.Macbeth confronts Malcolm’s army, trusting in the Weïrd Sisters’ comforting promises. Macbeth has Macduff’s wife and children murdered. They comfort him with ambiguous promises.Another nobleman, Macduff, rides to England to join Duncan’s older son, Malcolm. Macbeth determines to consult the Weïrd Sisters again. At a royal banquet that evening, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost appear covered in blood.

Fearing that Banquo’s descendants will, according to the Weïrd Sisters’ predictions, take over the kingdom, Macbeth has Banquo killed. When Macbeth arrives at his castle, he and Lady Macbeth plot to assassinate King Duncan, soon to be their guest, so that Macbeth can become king.After Macbeth murders Duncan, the king’s two sons flee, and Macbeth is crowned. Three “Weïrd Sisters” appear to Macbeth and his comrade Banquo after a battle and prophesy that Macbeth will be king and that the descendants of Banquo will also reign.

Entire Play Macbeth, set primarily in Scotland, mixes witchcraft, prophecy, and murder.

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