Plot Diagram Macbeth Project

The Plot Succession of Macbeth

By Musa Lughmani, Garrett Peters, and Al Yin

Climax, Act III Scene III

Plot summary: A third murderer joins the two hired to kill Banquo and Fleance. Together, they manage to kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes.

Significance: This scene illustrates Macbeth’s mental decline, showing his paranoia by hiring a third murderer to guarantee that the murderers kill Banquo and Fleance.

Quote: “He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers/ Our offices and what we have to do/ To the direction just” (3-5).

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Macbeth Act III Scene IV

Act III Scene II

Plot summary: The banquet prepared by Macbeth begins. One of the murderers appears to inform Macbeth that Banquo is dead and Fleance escaped. At the table, Macbeth then sees visions of Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth’s outcries at the ghost force Lady Macbeth to send the guests home and end the feast.

Significance: This scene helps to represent Macbeth’s mental deterioration. He feels so guilt-ridden over murdering Banquo that he begins to hallucinate. The hallucinations even get to the point where Lady Macbeth has to end the feast.

Quote: “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake/ Thy gory locks at me” (61-62).

Plot summary: In this scene, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss their unhappiness. Macbeth particularly speaks of his fear of Banquo, but he does not reveal his plan to Lady Macbeth.

Significance: This scene shows the deterioration of Macbeth’s mind. Not only is he becoming paranoid about Banquo and Fleance, he no longer trusts Lady Macbeth enough to tell her about his plan to kill Banquo.

Quote: “unsafe the while that we/ Must lave our honors in these flattering streams,/ And make our faces vizards to our hearts,/ Disguising what they are” (36-39).

Macbeth Act III Scene V

Plot summary: The witches meet Hecate, who scolds them for not consulting her first. She then decides to supervise the mischief, and instructs the witches to show Macbeth apparitions that give Macbeth a false sense of security.

Significance: This scene shows Macbeth is truly doomed since the witches are going to create mischief and confuse him, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Quote: “And I, the mistress of your charms,/ The close contriver of all harms,/ Was never called to bear my part,/ Or show the glory of our art?” (6-9).

Act III Scene I

Plot summary: The scene opens with Banquo expressing his suspicions about Macbeth. Macbeth then arrives and invites Banquo to a feast. Banquo has to leave,but he promises to return later. Macbeth takes advantage of his departure to arrange his murder, hiring two men to kill him.

Significance: This scene shows Macbeth’s paranoia and inability to stop killing as he tries to keep his murders a secret. He wishes to kill Banquo since he suspects Macbeth, and he also wishes to kill Fleance since Fleance is supposed to become king someday.

Quote: “To be thus is nothing,/ But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/ Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature” (52-54).

Macbeth Act III Scene VI

Plot summary: Lennox and another lord discuss politics. Lennox comments on Macbeth’s official versions of the recent violent deaths. The other lord them mentions Macduff went to England in order to overthrow Macbeth.

Significance: This scene shows Macbeth’s approaching downfall politically. Not only have the lords become suspicious of Macbeth, Macduff himself has personally gone to England for the purpose of overthrowing him.

Quote: “Thither Macduff/ Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid/ To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward,” (33-35).

Act II Scene IV

Macbeth Act IV Scene I

Plot summary: Ross and an old man discuss the strange and happenings of the past few days: it is daytime, but dark outside; last Tuesday, an owl killed a falcon; and Duncan’s horses ate one another. Macbeth has been made king by the other lords. Malcolm and Donalbain are suspected for the murder because they fled soon after the event.

Significance: The description of the strange occurrences shows how the chain of being has been disrupted, caused unnatural things to happen

Quote: “And Duncan’s horses—a thing most strange and certain— / Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, / Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, / Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would / Make war with mankind” (1.4. 17-22)

Plot summary: Macbeth approaches the witches in order to learn how to secure his throne. They then summon three apparitions: an armed head, a bloody child, and a child with a crown carrying a tree in his hand. These images warn Macbeth to be cautious of Macduff, but reassures him that he cannot be hurt by a man born of a woman and he shall not be overthrown until Birnam Woods moves to Dunsinane. Afterwards, Macbeth finds out Macduff went to England and resolves to kill his family.

Significance: This scene serves to further Macbeth’s destruction since he is lead into a false sense of confidence that eventually causes his downfall.

Quote: “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/ Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/ Shall come against him” (105-107).

Act II Scene III

Macbeth Act IV Scene II

Plot summary: Macduff and Lennox try to enter Inverness, but the drunk porter jokes around and delays there enterance. Once they enter, Macduff and Lennox ask if the King still sleeps and Macbeth leads them to his room, where they soon discover that the king has been murdered.

Significance: This is important because now others begin to learn of the King’s murder, and it the start of when Macbeth must hide his feelings and pretend to be ignorant.

Quote: “The night has been unruly. Where we lay, / Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, / Lamentings heard i' th' air, strange screams of death” (2.3. 61-64)

Plot summary: Ross visits Lady Macduff to try to justify Macduff’s journey to England. After Ross leaves, a messenger warns Lady Macduff to flee; however, Macbeth’s men arrive to kill her before she can.

Significance: Shows Macbeth's inability to stop murdering people due to paranoia. This helps to represent his ongoing mental deterioration.

Quote: “He has killed/ me, mother./ Run away, I pray you!” (96-98).

Act II Scene II

Macbeth Act IV Scene III

Plot summary: Macbeth kills King Duncan but forgets to place the daggers by the guards, so she does so herself.

Significance: This is the point of greatest tension for the protagonist, and it was a decision that solidified his fate: death.

Quote: “But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”? / I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” / Stuck in my throat” (2.2. 42-44).

Plot summary: Macduff finds Malcolm and urges him to try to overthrow Macbeth. Malcolm suspects Macduff at first, but after verifying his sincerity, informs him that Edward has provided troops to assist in the invasion of Scotland. Ross then arrives and informs Macduff that his family was killed, causing Macduff to swear revenge on Macbeth.

Significance: Act 4 scene 3 serves to advance Macbeth’s approaching destruction on the political front. Not only are Malcolm and Macduff trying to take the throne back from Macbeth, they have also received a large army from England in order to assist them.

Quote: “Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men,/ Already at a point, was setting forth./ Now we’ll together, and the chance of goodness/ Be like our warranted quarrel!” (153-156).

Act II Scene I

Act V Scene I

Plot summary: Macbeth envisions a dagger floating in the air and pointing him towards Duncan. After this vision, a bell tolls and he is summoned by Lady Macbeth to kill Duncan in reality.

Significance: This scene uncovers his unease in committing the deed before even doing so, and it foreshadows the effects the murder will have on him after the deed has been done.

Quote: The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee” (2.1. 44-46).

Plot summary: Lady Macbeth's waiting gentlewoman tells a doctor of physics about Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking. She talks in her sleep, revealing guilty secrets, like her involvement in the recent murders.

Significance: This scene serves to show Lady Macbeth’s growing guilt over her misdeeds and her inability to rid herself of it. As a result, the theme of mental deterioration is shown in someone who had previously been known for her calm attitude.

Quote: "Out, damned spot! out, I say!" (5.1.25).

Act I Scene VII

Plot Summary: While Macbeth nearly convinces himself out of committing murder, Lady Macbeth manipulates him back into doing so.

Significance: This introduces Lady Macbeth’s role in Macbeth’s downfall as her manipulation was a key component of their deaths.

Quote: “Was the hope drunk / Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? / And wakes it now, to look so green and pale / At what it did so freely? From this time / Such I account thy love” (1.7. 36-39).

Act V Scene II

Act I Scene VI

Act V Scene III

Act V Scene V

Plot summary: The Scottish army has gathered and is preparing to enter into combat with Macbeth. The leaders discuss Macbeth’s current mental state and how he is holed up in a castle with disloyal men.

Significance: This marks the beginning of the end for Macbeth. His enemies have gathered to depose him, and his own forces are ineffectual in comparison.

Quote: "Those he commands move only in command, / Nothing in love, Now does he feel his title / Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe / Upon a dwarfish thief" (5.2.19-22).

Act I Scene V

Plot Summary: King Duncan arrives at Inverness and is greeted by Lady Macbeth. Duncan complements Macbeth’s castle and Lady Macbeth.

Significance: This scene portrays Duncan as a pleasant and kind man. A truly good person, making the audience sad, and perhaps frustrated about what Macbeth plans to do.

Quote: “Give me your hand / Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly / And shall continue our graces towards him. / By your leave, hostess” (1.6. 28-31).

Act V Scene IV

Act V Scene VI

Plot summary: Macbeth learns of multiple misfortunes including his thanes abandoning him, his wife’s mental sickness, and the approach of the English army. Though he is unsure, he attempts to remain confident and tries to convince himself he has nothing to fear.

Significance: This gives us a glimpse into Macbeth’s clambering thoughts at the onset of his downfall, further showing his mental deterioration. His speech is garbled and incoherent, akin to that of a madman, and he begins to lose faith in himself.

Quote: "The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! / Where gott'st thou that goose look?" (5.3.13-14).

Act I Scene IV

Act V Scene VII

Plot Summary: Lady Macbeth is informed via letter of Macbeth’s promotion and prepares herself to do anything to make Macbeth the King.

Significance: This shows how committed Lady Macbeth is to committing the deed and it foreshadows her influence on uncertain Macbeth.

Quote: “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty” (1.5. 30-33).

Plot summary: Macbeth expresses his defiance of the odds against him and later hears a woman cry out. He receives news of his wife’s death and the reports of Birnam Wood moving towards Dunsinane. As a result, Macbeth goes out to meet his fate.

Significance: As the third apparition’s prophecy comes to fruition, Macbeth realizes that everything he worked for is for naught. His wife is dead, and his defeat is imminent. Despite the despair of the situation he accepts his fate.

Quote: "I have supp’d full with horrors. / Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts / Cannot once start me" (5.5.13-15).

Plot summary: The forces that are opposing Macbeth enter Birnam Wood, and Malcolm tells each soldier to cut down a branch to conceal themselves. The march to Dunsinane begins.

Significance: This alludes to the prophecy leading to Macbeth’s downfall. Since Birnam Wood is indeed moving, the prophecy is coming true and Macbeth’s defeat in combat is set in stone.

Quote: "But certain issue strokes must arbitrate. / Towards which, advance the war" (5.4.20-21).

Act V Scene VIII

Act II Scene II

Inciting Incident

Act I Scene III

Act 1 Scene 1

Plot summary: The Scottish and English forces, led by Malcolm, descend on Dunsinane and attack.

Significance: This scene begins the bloody conflict that many of Shakespeare’s tragedies end with. It is probable that many people will die, Macbeth most of all.

Quote: "Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath. / Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death" (5.6.10-11).

Plot Summary: Duncan is told that the former Thane of Cawdor has been executed, and he also declares his son, Malcolm, as the next king.

Significance: Macbeth’s side thought that Malcolm stands in his way shows Macbeth’s mindset and shed light on his tragic flaw.

Quote: “The prince of Cumberland! That is a step / On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap” (1.4. 55-56).

Plot summary: Macbeth fights an angry Young Siward and kills him. A vengeful Macduff seeks out Macbeth, while Malcolm and Siward take control of Macbeth’s castle.

Significance: The siege of Macbeth’s abode shows the hateful feelings that his former subjects have against him. Young Siward connects him to the devil, while Macbeth’s own soldiers have surrendered and are even fighting against him.

Quote: "The devil himself could not pronounce a title / More hateful to mine ear" (5.7.10-11).

Plot summary: King Duncan of Scotland is informed of Macbeth and Banquo’s glorious acts in the war between the Scottish and Irish, and claims that Macbeth will replace the traitorous Thane of Cawdor.

Significance: This scene describes Macbeth and constructs a first impression of Macbeth. The Audience also becomes more suspenseful of when Macbeth arrives.

Quote: “But all’s too weak, / For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— / Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution” (1.2. 15-18).

Plot Summary: The witches claim Macbeth to be the Thane of Cawdor and future King, and they claim Banquo’s children to be the future kings as well. This is followed by Macbeth formally being declared the Thane of Cawdor.

Significance: This scene introduces a spark that causes the protagonist’s decline in the tragedy.

Quote: “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (1.3. 39)

Plot summary: Macduff and Macbeth do battle and Macbeth boasts of his invulnerability against anyone born of a woman. To Macbeth’s shock, Macduff reveals that he was born of a c-section. Macbeth expresses his unwillingness to surrender, but also does not want to kill Macduff. Macduff beheads him and the other leaders enter to receive the news of the tyrant’s death. Malcolm is hailed king of Scotland.

Significance: As readers we are able to understand the full effect of Macbeth's tragic flaw. We are led to Macbeth’s purification, in the form of his death. Justice is served and most loose ends are tied as Malcolm is crowned king.

Quote: "I bear a charmed life which must not yield, / To one of woman born" (5.8.12-13).

Plot summary: The three witches chant their gloomy and dark sayings, waiting to confront Macbeth after the battle, but they soon disappear.

Significance: It sets the stage for what is to come and builds suspense in the audience, who is eager to meet Macbeth.

Quote: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair / Hover through the fog and filthy air” (1.1. 12-13).

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