Act One: 
As King Duncan of Scotland's forces fight against the traitorous Macdonwald and his ally, the Thane of Cawdor, the general Macbeth kills Macdonwald. Later, Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches who tell Macbeth he will be the Thane of Cawdor and the King one day—as will Banquo's children. The King awards Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor for his bravery in battle, confirming the witches' words. The King plans to stay at Macbeth's castle that evening. Macbeth sends a letter to his wife about his new title and meeting with the witches, which prompts Lady Macbeth to devise a plan to kill the King. Despite Macbeth's attempts to back down, his wife does not let him, and they plan to get the King's chamberlains drunk and blame them for the King's murder. 

Act Two: 
Macbeth struggles between two warring ideas within him: should he do what’s right by his country or follow his wife’s wishes and kill Duncan. This internal battle is so much for Macbeth that he imagines a dagger in front of him, supporting the idea of murder as it is covered in blood. The dagger points toward the King’s chambers, and Macbeth’s desire for the throne and determination to commit the crime drives him to kill the King. Horrified by what he’s done, he takes the bloody daggers away from the crime scene, altering the couple’s plan to frame the chamberlains for the crime. Lady Macbeth rushes to return the daggers to the King’s chambers to mark the chamberlains as suspects before anyone notices Duncan is dead. Macduff and Lennox enter the castle, and when Macduff checks on the King, he discovers his body. Macbeth then kills the King’s chamberlains, who he tells the court must have killed the King. Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country, afraid that whoever killed their father might kill them next. With the successors absent, Macbeth is to be named the new King. 

Act Three: 
The newly crowned Macbeth plans to host a feast. Due to Banquo's knowledge of and role in the witches' prophecies, Macbeth commissions the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. The murderers successfully kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes. That night at the feast, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost, which makes him frantic, frightening the court. Macduff has gone to England to meet with Siward and Malcolm; England and Scotland begin to plan for war. 

Act Four: 
Macbeth seeks out the witches again to learn what the future holds. The witches, through apparitions, reveal various messages to Macbeth. The first apparition is a floating head that warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Macbeth has already figured this out since Macduff is suspicious of the King’s death and Macbeth’s motives for killing the chamberlains. The second apparition, a bloody child, tells Macbeth not to fear anyone born of a woman. Macbeth wonders why he should be afraid of Macduff if he, like all men, is born of women. The third apparition, a crowned child holding a branch, reveals that Macbeth will not face danger until Birnam Wood, a forest, comes to Dunsinane. Macbeth is happy with these words but is not satisfied; he wants to know more. Then, the witches summon the apparitions of eight Kings and Banquo for Macbeth. Angered by the sight of Banquo and the lack of explanation behind the witches’ messages, Macbeth has Macduff’s family killed. In England, Macduff convinces Malcolm to take his rightful place on the throne, and they plan to take revenge against Macbeth for usurping the throne and slaughtering Macduff’s family. 

Act Five: 
Lady Macbeth is seen sleepwalking by people in the castle, showing her descent into madness after so many cruel deeds. Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward lead English forces to Dunsinane, declaring that every soldier must hold a bough from the wood of Birnam in front of them to disguise their numbers. Macbeth prepares for battle when he learns that Lady Macbeth has killed herself. Then, as the English drop their branches, the battle begins. In the fight, Macbeth kills Siward's son and then encounters Macduff. Macduff reveals that he was born by Caesarean birth, meaning he is not born of woman and can kill Macbeth. He kills Macbeth, allowing Malcolm to claim his rightful place on the throne of Scotland. 

–By Ella Rupe, assistant dramaturg