English Literature books summary

the guards' chamber.

While she is gone, Macbeth hears a knocking and imagines that he sees hands

plucking at his eyes. He mourns the fact that not even an entire ocean

could wash the blood from his hand. Lady Macbeth enters here and, hearing

this, states that her hands are just as stained as his, but she is not a

coward like him. She claims that "a little water clears us of this deed" ­

that washing the blood from their hands will wash the guilt from them as

well. She, too, hears knocking, and tells Macbeth to retire with her to

their chamber and put on their nightgowns; they cannot be out in the hall

and in their clothes when the others enter.

Act 2, scene 3

In a "comic relief" scene, the Porter (doorman) hears knocking at the gate

and imagines that he is the porter at the door to Hell. He imagines

admitting a farmer who has committed suicide after a bad harvest, an

"equivocator" who has committed a sin by swearing to half-truths, and an

English tailor who stole cloth to make fashionable clothes and visited

brothels. Since it is "too cold for hell" at the gate, he stops there

instead of continuing with a longer catalogue of sinners and opens the

door. Outside are Macduff and Lennox, who scold him for taking so long to

answer the door. The Porter claims that he was tired after drinking until

late, and delivers a small sermon on the ills of drink.

Macbeth enters, and Macduff asks him if the king is awake yet. On hearing

that the king is still asleep, Macduff leaves to wake him. While he is

gone, Lennox tells Macbeth that the night was full of strange events in the

weather ­ chimneys were blown down, birds screeched all night, the earth

shook, and ghostly voices were heard prophesying bad fortune. A stunned

Macduff returns with the news that the king is dead. He tells them to go

see for themselves and calls to the servants to ring the alarm bell and

wake the other guests.

Lady Macbeth and Banquo enter and Macduff informs them of the king's death.

Macbeth and Lennox return and Macbeth laments the king's death, claiming

that he witches he was dead instead of the king. Malcolm and Donalbain

appear and ask who murdered their father. Lennox tells them that the

bodyguards must have done it because they still had the king's blood on

their faces and hands and the daggers on their pillows. Macbeth tells them

that he has already killed the bodyguards in a grief-stricken rage. When

Malcolm and Donalbain question this act, Lady Macbeth pretends to faint in

order to distract them. Aside, Malcolm and Donalbain confer and decide that

their lives are threatened and they should flee. As Lady Macbeth is being

helped to leave, Banquo counsels the others to get together to analyze what

just happened and figure out what to do next. Leaving Malcolm and Donalbain

alone, they leave to meet in the hall. Malcolm decides that he will flee to

England, and Donalbain says that he will go to Ireland.

Act 2, scene 4

Ross and an old man discuss the unnatural events that have taken place

recently: days are as dark as nights, owls hunt falcons, and Duncan's

horses have gone mad and eaten each other. Macduff enters, and Ross asks

him who killed the king. Macduff tells him that the bodyguards did it, but

that Malcolm and Donalbain's hasty flight from Inverness has cast suspicion

on them as well. Ross comments that Macbeth will surely be named the next

king, and Macduff says that he has already been named and has gone to Scone

to be crowned. Ross leaves for Scone to see the coronation, and Macduff

heads home to Fife.

Act 3 Summary Act 3, scene 1

At Macbeth's court, Banquo voices his suspicions that Macbeth has killed

Duncan in order to fulfill the witches' prophesies. He muses that perhaps

this means that the witches' vision for his future will come true as well,

then pushes this thought from his mind. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter to

the sound trumpets, along with Lennox and Ross. Macbeth announces that he

will hold a banquet that evening, and that Banquo will be the chief guest.

Banquo states that he must ride this afternoon, but he will be back in time

for supper. Macbeth tells him that Malcolm and Donalbain will not confess

to killing their father, and asks if Fleance will accompany Banquo on his

trip (he will), then wishes Banquo a safe ride.

Left alone, Macbeth summons the two murderers he has hired. While he waits

for them, he gives voice to his greatest worry of the moment ­ that the

witches' prophesy for Banquo will come true, and that Banquo's children

will inherit the throne instead of his own. He will put an end to that

thought by killing Banquo and Fleance. The murderers enter. These men are

not "murderers" by trade but poor men who are willing to do anything to

make some money. Macbeth has evidently sent them letters stating that

although they think Macbeth is the cause of their present poverty, the real

cause is Banquo, and that he will reward them richly if they would kill

Banquo for him. The Murderers respond that they are so "weary with

disasters [and] tugged with fortune" that they are "reckless what / [they]

do to spite the world." Macbeth tells them that Banquo is his own enemy as

well as theirs, but that loyal friends of Banquo's prevent him from killing

him himself. Macbeth tells them the particulars of the murder: they must

attack him as he is coming back from his ride, at a distance from the

palace in order to avert suspicion. They must also kill Fleance, and

perform these murders at exactly the right time.

Act 3, scene 2

Alone, Lady Macbeth expresses her unhappiness: there seems to be no end to

her desire for power, and she feels unsafe and doubtful. Macbeth enters,

looking upset, and she again counsels him not to spend his time alone

worrying about what they have done. Macbeth states that their job is not

done, and that he spends every waking moment in fear and each night

embroiled in nightmares. He says that he envies Duncan, who sleeps

peacefully in his grave. Lady Macbeth warns him to act cheerful in front of

their dinner guests, and Macbeth says that he will, and asks her to pay

special attention to Banquo tonight, both in speech and looks. Lady Macbeth

tries to comfort him by reminding him that although Banquo and Fleance

live, they are not immortal, and he should not fear them. Macbeth responds

elusively, telling her that "a deed of dreadful note" will be done tonight;

he will not tell her more.

Act 3, scene 3

The two murderers are joined by a third, who says that he has also been

hired by Macbeth. Horses are heard approaching, and Banquo and Fleance

enter. The murderers attack Banquo, but Fleance flees. The murderers leave

to report back to Macbeth.

Act 3, scene 4

At the banquet, Macbeth is just welcoming his guests when one of the

murderers comes to the door. He informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but

Fleance has escaped. Shaken, Macbeth thanks him for what he has done and

arranges another meeting the next day. The murderer leaves and Macbeth

returns to the feast. Standing next to the table, he announces that the

banquet would be perfect if only Banquo were there. At this point, unseen

by any, Banquo's ghost appears and sits in Macbeth's seat. The guests urge

Macbeth to sit and eat with them, but Macbeth says that the table is full.

When Lennox points to Macbeth's empty seat, Macbeth is shocked to see

Banquo sitting there. He addresses the ghost, saying, "Thou canst not say I

did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me." The guests, confused by his

behavior, think that he is ill, but Lady Macbeth reassures them, saying

that he has had "fits" like this since youth, and that he will soon be

well. She draws Macbeth aside and tries to talk some sense into him,

telling him that this is just a hallucination brought on by his guilt, like

the dagger he saw before he killed Duncan. Ignoring her, Macbeth charges

the ghost to speak, and it disappears. Disgusted, Lady Macbeth scolds him

for being "unmanned in folly." Turning back to his guests, Macbeth tells

them that he has "a strange infirmity" that they should ignore.

Just as the party begins again and Macbeth is offering a toast to Banquo,

the ghost reappears, and Macbeth again yells at it. Lady Macbeth again

tries to smooth things over with the guests. The ghost exits again and Lady

Macbeth scolds Macbeth him. This time Macbeth responds in kind, telling her

that he is shocked that she can look on sights such as this and not be

afraid. Ross asks what sights Macbeth means, and Lady Macbeth tells the

guests that they should leave, because Macbeth's "illness" is getting

worse.

The guests leave, and Macbeth, frightened, says that he takes this

appearance as an omen. He decides that he will go back to the Weird Sisters

the next day and ask to hear more.

Act 3, scene 5

On the heath, the witches meet Hecate, queen of witches, who chastises them

for meddling in Macbeth's affairs without involving her or showing him any

fancy magic spectacles. She tells them that Macbeth will visit them

tomorrow, and that they must put on a more dramatic show for him.

Act 3, scene 6

Lennox and another lord discuss politics. Lennox comments sarcastically on

the recent deaths of Duncan and Banquo, saying that it seems almost

impossible for Malcolm and Donalbain to be inhuman enough to kill their

father, and that Macbeth's slaying of the bodyguards was pretty convenient,

since they would probably have denied killing Duncan. Lennox proposes that

if Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance were in Macbeth's prison, they would

probably be dead now too. He also reveals that since Macduff did not attend

Macbeth's feast, he has been denounced. The lord with whom Lennox speaks

comments that Macduff has joined Malcolm at the English court, and that the

two of them have asked Siward to lead an army against Macbeth. Lennox and

the lord send their prayers to Macduff and Malcolm.

Act 4 Summary Act 4, scene 1

The witches circle their cauldron, throwing into it the elements of their

magic spell while chanting "double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn,

and cauldron bubble." Hecate appears, and they all sing together, then

Hecate leaves again. Macbeth enters, demanding answers. The witches

complete their magic spell and summon forth a series of apparitions. The

first is an Armed Head (a head wearing a helmet), that warns Macbeth to

beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff). The second apparition is a bloody

child, who tells him that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth."

Hearing this, Macbeth is bolstered, and states that he no longer needs to

fear Macduff then. The third apparition is a child wearing a crown, with a

tree in its hand, who says that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until /

Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill [Macbeth's castle] / Shall come

against him." This cheers Macbeth even more, since he knows that nothing

can move a forest. Macbeth now asks his last question: will Banquo's

children ever rule Scotland?

The cauldron sinks, and a strange sound is heard. The witches now show

Macbeth the "show of kings": a procession of eight kings, the eighth of

whom holds a mirror in his hand, followed by Banquo. As Banquo points at

this line of kings, Macbeth realizes that they are indeed his family line,

and that the witches' words were true. The witches dance and disappear, and

Lennox enters, with the news that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth

resolves that from now on he will act immediately on his ambitions, and the

first step he will take will be to seize Fife and kill Macduff's wife and

children.

Act 4, scene 2

At Fife, Ross visits Lady Macduff, who is frightened for her own safety now

that her husband has fled. He reassures her by telling her that her husband

did what he had to do, and takes his leave, telling her that he will return

soon. After he leaves, Lady Macduff engages her son in a conversation about

his missing father. The little boy shows wisdom beyond his years in his

side of the discussion. A messenger interrupts them with a warning to flee

the house immediately. But before Lady Macduff can go anywhere, Macbeth's

hired murderers attack the house and kill everyone in it.

Act 4, scene 3

Macduff has arrived at the English court and meets with Malcolm. Malcolm,

remembering his father's mistaken trust in Macbeth, tests Macduff by

confessing that he is a greedy, lustful and sinful man, who makes Macbeth

look like an angel in comparison. Macduff despairs and says that he will

leave Scotland forever if this is the case, since there seems to be no man

fit to rule it. Hearing this, Malcolm is convinced of Macduff's goodness

and reveals that he was merely testing him; he has none of these faults to

which he has just confessed. In fact, he claims, the first lie he has ever

told was this false confession to Macduff. He then announces that Siward

has assembled an army of ten thousand men and is prepared to march on

Scotland.

A messenger appears and tells the men that the king of England is

approaching, attended by a crowd of sick and despairing people who wish the

king to cure them. The king, according to Malcolm, has a gift for healing

people with the laying on of hands.

Ross enters, just come from Scotland, and reports that the country is in a

shambles. When Macduff asks how his wife is, Ross replies "Ay, well,"

meaning that they are now beyond Macbeth's grasp. Pressed further, he

relates the story of her death. Macduff is stunned speechless, and Malcolm

urges him to cure his grief by acting, and getting revenge on Macbeth.

Macduff replies "he has no children," meaning perhaps that Malcolm does not

know what it feels like to lose a child, or that Macbeth could never have

killed another man's children if he had children of his own. He is overcome

with guilt that he was gone from his house when it happened. Again Malcolm

urges him to put his grief to good use and seek revenge, and all three men

leave to prepare for battle.

Act 5 Summary Act 5, scene 1

Back at Dunsinane, the Scottish royal home, a gentlewoman who waits on Lady

Macbeth has summoned a doctor because Lady Macbeth has been walking in her

sleep. The doctor reports that he has watched her for two nights already

and has not seen anything strange. The gentlewoman describes how she has

seen Lady Macbeth rise, dress, leave her room, write something on a piece

of paper, read it and seal it, and return to bed, all without waking up.

When the doctor asks if the Lady said anything while sleepwalking, the

gentlewoman says that what the Lady said she does not dare to repeat. They

are interrupted by the sleepwalking Lady Macbeth, who enters carrying a

candle. The gentlewoman reports that Lady Macbeth asks to have light by her

all through the night. The doctor and the gentlewoman watch as Lady Macbeth

rubs her hands as if washing them and says " yet here's a spot . . . . Out,

damned spot, out I say!" As she continues to "wash" her hands, her words

betray her guilt to the watchers. She seems to be reliving the events of

the nights of Duncan and Banquo's deaths. She cannot get the stain or smell

of blood off her hand: "will these hands ne'er be clean? . . . . All the

perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." The doctor is

shocked and understands that Lady Macbeth's words have heavy implications.

The sleepwalking lady imagines she hears knocking at the gate and returns

to her chamber. The doctor concludes that Lady Macbeth needs a priest's

help, not a physician's, and takes his leave, warning that he and the

gentlewoman had better not reveal what they have seen and heard.

Act 5, scene 2

Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox march with a company of soldiers

toward Birnam Wood, where they will meet up with Malcolm and the English

army. They claim that they will "purge" the country of Macbeth's sickening

influence.

Act 5, scene 3

At Dunsinane, Macbeth tires of hearing reports of nobles who have fled from

him to join the English forces. He recalls the witches' prophesy that he

has nothing to fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane or until he meets

up with a man not born of woman, and since these events seem impossible, he

feels unstoppable. A servant enters with the news that then thousand men

have gathered to fight against them, and Macbeth sends him away, scolding

him for cowardice. He calls for his servant Seyton to help him put on his

armor, and asks the doctor who has been treating Lady Macbeth how she is.

The doctor replies that she is not sick but troubled with visions, and that

she must cure herself of these visions (presumably by confessing the crimes

she has committed). Macbeth is not pleased with this answer. As his

attendants begin to arm him, he facetiously asks the doctor if it he could

test the country's urine to find out what disease ails it, and give it a

purgative medicine to cure it. Fully armed, Macbeth begins to leave the

room. As he goes, he professes that he will not be afraid of anything until

Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Aside, the doctor confesses that he would

like to be as far away from Dunsinane as possible.

Act 5, scene 4

Malcolm, Siward, Young Siward, Macduff, Mentieth, Caithness, and Angus

march toward Birnam Wood. When they approach the forest, Malcolm instructs

each soldier to cut a branch from the trees and carry it in front of him as

the group marches on Dunsinane, in order to disguise their numbers. Siward

informs Malcolm that Macbeth confidently holds Dunsinane, waiting for their

approach. Malcolm comments that Macbeth must be incredibly optimistic,

since almost all of his men have deserted him. The army marches on toward

Dunsinane.

Act 5, scene 5

Macbeth confidently orders his men to hang his banners on the outer walls

of the castle, claiming that his castle will hold until the men who attack

it starve of famine. If only the other side was not reinforced with men who

have deserted him, he claims, he would not think twice about rushing out to

attack the English army head-on. He is interrupted by the sound of women

screaming within, and Seyton leaves to see what the trouble is. Macbeth

comments that he had almost forgotten what fear felt and tasted like.

Seyton returns and announces that Lady Macbeth is dead. Seemingly unfazed,

Macbeth comments that she should have died later. He stops to muse on the

meaning of life, which he says is "but a walking shadow, a poor player /

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more.

It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying

nothing."

A messenger enters and reports that he has seen something unbelievable: as

he looked out toward Birnam Wood, it looked like the forest began to move

toward the castle. Macbeth is stunned and begins to fear that the witch's

words may come true after all. He instructs his men to ring the alarm.

Act 5, scene 6

Malcolm tells his soldiers that they are near enough to the castle now to

throw down the branches they carry. He announces that Siward and Young

Siward will lead the first battle, and that he and Macduff will follow

behind. He tells his trumpeters to sound a charge.

Act 5, scene 7

Macbeth waits on the battlefield to defend his castle. He feels like a bear

that has been "baited": tied to a stake for dogs to attack. Young Siward

enters and demands his name. Macbeth responds that he will be afraid to

hear it: it is Macbeth. The two fight, and Macbeth kills Young Siward,

commenting, as he does, that Young Siward must have been born "of woman."

He exits. Macduff enters and shouts a challenge to Macbeth, swearing to

avenge his wife and children's deaths. He asks Fortune to let him find

Macbeth, and exits. Malcolm and Siward enter, looking for the enemy, and

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