Indledning
The play begins with the brief appearance of a trio of witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals

Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonwald, and one from Norway.

Optimer dit sprog - Læs vores guide og scor topkarakter

Uddrag
Lady Macbeth receives news from her husband of the prophecy and his new title and she vows to help him become king by any means she can.

Macbeth’s return is followed almost at once by Duncan’s arrival. The Macbeths plot together and later that night

while all are sleeping and after his wife has given the guards drugged wine, Macbeth kills the King and his guards.

Lady Macbeth leaves the bloody daggers beside the dead king. Macduff arrives and when the murder is discovered Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain flee, fearing for their lives, but they are nevertheless blamed for the murder.

Macbeth is elected King of Scotland, but is plagued by feelings of guilt and insecurity. He arranges for Banquo and his son, Fleance to be killed, but the boy escapes the murderers.

At a celebratory banquet Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and disconcerts the courtiers with his strange manner. Lady Macbeth tries to calm him but is rejected.