Key plot detail
- While returning from a battle victory, Macbeth, a powerful lord, meets three Witches who predict that he will become King of Scotland.
- Macbeth tells his wife of the Witches' predictions and she encourages him to murder the current king, Duncan, who is staying with them as a guest.
- After Macduff discovers the murder, Duncan's sons flee the country, leaving the way clear for Macbeth to become king.
- Banquo, Macbeth's best friend, becomes suspicious of what his friend has done so Macbeth has him murdered too.
- Macbeth pays a second visit to the Witches and receives more predictions.
- In England, Malcolm (Duncan's elder son) and his chief supporter, Macduff, plan to invade Scotland to win back the throne. An enraged Macbeth has Macduff's wife and children killed; Macduff swears revenge.
- Lady Macbeth suffers from guilt for what she has done and eventually commits suicide.
- Malcolm's invasion is successful and Macduff kills Macbeth. Malcolm becomes the new King of Scotland and the country counts the cost of Macbeth's short but bloody reign.
Macbeth is a play about how ambition and the love of power can destroy someone and those around them.