Chapter Plot Summary of Macbeth - Study Guide by William Shakespeare

Fire burn and cauldron bubble."

They add a variety of hideous ingredients to their boiling pot and various apparitions warn Macbeth of three things: to beware of Macduff; that he will not be harmed by any man who is born of woman; and that Macbeth will never be vanquished "until Great Birnan Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him". Macbeth is relieved, since the thought of a wood moving to a hill is patently ridiculous. The final apparition is a line of eight kings followed by the ghost of Banquo. Here Macbeth realizes that Banquo’s children will all be kings, just as the witches prophesied. Banquo is shown as a saintly figure, holding a glass to remind us that he was on his way to feast with Macbeth when he was murdered.

Lennox appears, apparently oblivious to the witches. He tells Macbeth that Macduff has fled to England. In revenge, Macbeth sends a murderer to kill Macduff’s wife and son.

Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty in the war against Macbeth through a series of probing questions. Satisfied in his devotion, they resort to stop at nothing in order to overthrow Macbeth. Ross enters and, in one of the most touching passages in any of Shakespeare’s plays, tells Macduff of the death of his family:

"They were well at peace when I did leave them…

I have words

That would be howled out in the desert air,

Where hearing should not latch them."

Macduff resolves to kill Macbeth himself:

"Within my sword’s length set him; if he scape,

Heaven forgive him too."

Act V

Lady Macbeth is going mad. She has begun to sleepwalk, washing her hands furiously of the blood that she feels is upon them. Although the image has become a cliché now, it is still a powerful scene. In classic Freudian style, Lady Macbeth is vocalizing her guilt through her subconscious because her conscious mind will not let her speak it. Macbeth is concerned about her, but has to prepare to defend himself against the approaching forces led by Malcolm and Macduff. Malcolm disguises his army as they advance with bushes cut from Birnum Wood. In this way they fulfill the prophecy, since as they approach it seems as if the forest itself moves. Macbeth hears of the death of Lady Macbeth and we see the remnants of his valor in the stoical way in which he accepts the news. When Macbeth meets with Macduff, the latter confides in him:

"Despair thy charm,

And let the angel whom thou still hast served

Tell thee Macduff was from his mother’s womb

Untimely ripped."

Now Macbeth knows that Macduff was not "of woman born" but was delivered by Caesarian section. Macduff beheads Macbeth and brings it to Malcolm, who is crowned king of Scotland as the play ends.