Macbeth Timeline - Ian Harris

The Witches Converge

1 CE

Three witches in Scotland swear to meet with Macbeth 'when the battle is lost and won.'

Act 1

Period: 1 CE to 6

The Warrior Macbeth

2

The 'merciless Macdonald' is at war with King Duncan, and Macbeth has been fighting valiantly. Duncan executes the Thane of Cawdor for treason and proclaims Macbeth to be the new Thane of Cawdor.

Prophecies of the Witches

3

Macbeth and his friend Banquo meet the three witches on the heath on their way back from battle. The witches make three prophecies: Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor; Macbeth will become king; and Banquo's children will be kings. Ross then appears almost immediately to inform Macbeth that he is now the Thane of Cawdor.

Lady Macbeth is Informed of the Situation

4

Macbeth writes Lady Macbeth a letter about the witches' prophecies and his new title. She thinks she'll have to do it herself because he's too weak and 'full o'th' milk of human kindness' to get the crown quickly. She invokes the spirits and 'murdering ministers' for assistance.

The Macbeth's Murder Plot

5

Lady Macbeth, Macbeth's 'dearest love,' welcomes him home. She advises him to assassinate King Duncan that night in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled and for him to succeed to the throne.

Macbeth is Unsure

6

King Duncan arrives at the castle.Macbeth is undecided about carrying out the 'horrid deed,' but Lady Macbeth persuades him to 'screw' his courage 'to the sticking place' and kill Duncan.

Macbeth Has a Vision

7

Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger with the handle pointing towards him while on his way to kill Duncan. He dismisses it as a figment of his imagination brought on by the 'bloody business' he is about to undertake, and goes on to assassinate King Duncan in his bed.

Act 2

Period: 7 to 10

The Weapons' Planting

8

Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth with his hands covered in blood and the daggers still in his hands after the murder. He was supposed to leave them with the guards, but he refuses to return. Lady Macbeth takes the daggers from him, saying, 'Give me the daggers,' and then plants them among Duncan's sleeping guards to make it appear as if they were the ones who murdered the King.

Macduff Inquires

9

Duncan is waiting for Macduff and Lennox at the castle. They find the king murdered, and Macbeth explains that he killed Duncan's guards in a fit of rage. Lady Macbeth pretends to faint in order to divert Macduff's attention from his actions.

The Suspects Run Away

10

Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, decide to flee Scotland for their own safety, and they are accused of murdering the king because they were 'stol'n away and fled.' The announcement follows that Macbeth will be the new king.

Banquo Has His Doubts

11

Banquo considers how the second prophecy has come true, and believes Macbeth 'played'st most foully,' killing Duncan to gain the throne.

Act 3

Period: 11 to 13

Banquo Passes Away

12

Macbeth is concerned that the witches' other prophecy, that Banquo's future children will be kings, will also come true. He dispatches two assassins to assassinate Banquo and his son, Fleance. While the murderers are killing Banquo, he calls out to his son, 'fly, good Fleance, fly,' and the boy manages to flee safely.

The Ghost of Banquo Appears

13

All the thanes are invited to a banquet hosted by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is terrified as he is haunted by visions of Banquo's ghost. Lady Macbeth informs the thanes that Macbeth is sick and that they should leave because his condition 'grows worse and worse.' Macbeth is still afraid that 'blood will have blood,' and he is beginning to doubt Macduff's loyalty. He eventually decides to pay another visit to the witches.

The Witches are Visited by Macbeth

14

Macbeth pays a second visit to the witches, who make three more prophecies: Macbeth should be afraid of Macduff; no one born of a woman can harm him; and Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane. This reassures Macbeth, who believes he is unbeatable and declares, 'then live Macduff, what need I fear of thee?' However, in order to be completely safe, he decides to heed the first warning and assassinate Macduff and his family.

Act 4

Period: 14 to 16

The Murder of Macduff's Family

15

Murderers arrive at Macduff's castle in Fife to discover that he has vanished. After that, they murder Macduff's wife and children.

Malcolm and Macduff Raise an Army

16

Macduff has traveled to England in order to persuade Duncan's son ,Malcolm, to fight against Macbeth in Scotland. News reaches Macduff that Macbeth has 'savagely slaughtere'd' his wife and children. Macduff then swears to avenge them.

Sleepwalking Lady Macbeth

17

In her sleep, Lady Macbeth has been walking and talking. Her servant and the Doctor listen as she complains about not being able to wash the blood off her hands, exclaiming, 'out, out, damned spot!' and 'who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him!' They realize she is the murderer, but they 'dare not speak'.

Act 5

Period: 17 to 21

The Army Makes Progress

18

The army of Malcolm and Macduff grows, but Macbeth remains fixated on the witches' prophecies, believing that he will not be defeated until 'Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane.' Malcolm's army begins marching towards the castle after cutting down branches from Birnam Wood for camouflage.

Lady Macbeth Passes Away

19

When Macbeth learns that Lady Macbeth has died, he says that life is only 'a brief candle.' He is then informed that Birnam Wood is making its way towards the castle.

The Death of Macbeth

20

Macbeth is confronted by Macduff. Macbeth holds on to the witches' prophecy that he cannot be killed by a man born of a woman. Macduff then reveals that he was not born naturally and was 'untimely ripped' from his mother. Macbeth realizes that all of the prophecies have come true and that he will die, but he chooses to die fighting, saying, 'Yet I will try the last. Before my body / I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,' and Macduff kills him.

Malcolm is Crowned King

21

Macduff shows Malcolm Macbeth's severed head as proof that the tyrant has been killed. He then congratulates Malcolm on becoming the new King of Scotland.