Macbeth

Synopsis

This Macbeth Complete Play contains the full text of all five acts, with helpful annotations explaining all the tricky bits in plain English. It includes scene overviews and a context section, so that students can keep track of the plot, characters and historical details. Plus, there is lots of practice, with questions and activities at the end of every scene. We've also added Knowledge Organiser pages, which lay all the essentials out in one handy place, and online audio extracts, which let students hear key scenes performed, just as Shakespeare intended. The CGP range for Shakespeare also includes a matching Text Guide (9781841461168), which contains all the notes and practice you need to really master Macbeth!

Summary

Chapter 1

* Scene 1: Three witches meet after a battle and decide to torment Macbeth, a brave Scottish general.
* Example: "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" (Witches)

Chapter 2

* Scene 1: King Duncan praises Macbeth for his victory and invites him to his castle.
* Scene 2: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth learn of the prophecy that Macbeth will be King.
* Example: "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (Witches)
* Scene 3: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to murder Duncan to fulfill the prophecy.

Chapter 3

* Scene 1: Macbeth becomes King, but is haunted by guilt and fear.
* Scene 2: Banquo, Macbeth's ally, suspects Macbeth's motives and threatens to expose him.
* Example: "Banquo, Banquo, thou art to be king, yet thou shalt never wear the crown!" (Ghost of Banquo)

Chapter 4

* Scene 1: Macbeth arranges for Banquo and his son to be murdered.
* Scene 2: Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional.
* Example: "Is this a dagger which I see before me?" (Macbeth)

Chapter 5

* Scene 1: Lady Macbeth has lost her mind and dies in her sleep.
* Scene 2: Macduff, a Scottish nobleman, realizes Macbeth's tyranny and leads a rebellion against him.
* Example: "O, Nature, thou hast forgot thy power to hold!" (Macduff)

Chapter 6

* Scene 1: Macbeth is defeated and killed by Macduff in a battle.
* Scene 2: Malcolm, Duncan's son, is crowned King of Scotland.
* Example: "Thy kingdom's come, thus far have gone." (Macbeth)