The plot in six lines
Three witches tell Macbeth that he will become king, and his new title of Thane of Cawdor makes their prophecy seem trustworthy.
When King Duncan visits their castle, Lady Macbeth urges her husband to murder him, and Macbeth agrees despite his doubts.
Macbeth kills Duncan, Lady Macbeth puts blood on the guards, and Macbeth takes the crown after Duncan's sons flee.
Fearing Banquo's promised royal descendants, Macbeth hires murderers, sees a disturbing sight at his banquet, and returns to the witches for reassurance.
As Scotland's nobles rebel, Malcolm and Macduff lead an English army to Dunsinane, and Lady Macbeth dies, leaving Macbeth in despair.
The witches' promises prove to have a second meaning, Macduff kills Macbeth in single combat, and Malcolm is hailed as Scotland's new king.
Themes
Ambition: Macbeth recognises that ambition drives him to kill Duncan, then uses further violence to protect the power he gains.
Guilt: Macbeth feels guilt immediately after Duncan's murder, while Lady Macbeth's early confidence gives way as her guilt grows.
Appearance and reality: Trustworthy faces hide dangerous intentions, while the witches tell truths that encourage Macbeth to misunderstand what lies ahead.
Fate and choice: The witches predict Macbeth's future but never command his actions, leaving him responsible for the choices he makes.
Characters
- MacbethA brave Scottish general who is told he will be king and must decide how far he will go to make it so.
- Lady MacbethHis wife, quick and forceful, who urges him to act on his ambition and takes charge of the plan.
- BanquoMacbeth's fellow general and friend, who hears his own prophecy and distrusts the witches' motives.
- King DuncanThe gentle and trusting king of Scotland, who rewards Macbeth and names his son as heir.
- MacduffA Scottish nobleman, loyal to Duncan, who grows suspicious of Macbeth's rule.
- MalcolmDuncan's elder son and heir, who must decide whom to trust after his father's fate.
For the GCSE English Literature exams, summer 2027
- The summer 2027 GCSE exams run from 10 May to 18 June 2027.
- AQA: Paper 1, Section A (Shakespeare), Wednesday 12 May 2027, morning, 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Pearson Edexcel: Paper 1, Section A (Shakespeare), Wednesday 12 May 2027, morning, 1 hour 45 minutes.
- OCR: Paper 2 (J352/02), Section B (Shakespeare), Wednesday 19 May 2027, morning, 2 hours.
- WJEC Eduqas: Component 1, Section A (Shakespeare), Wednesday 12 May 2027, morning, 2 hours.
A two-week plan
- Day oneRead the 15-minute summary of Macbeth from start to finish, then tell the story back to yourself in five sentences.
- Days two to threeThree witches promise a general a crown: Notice how the first fulfilled prophecy makes the promise of kingship seem more believable.
- Day fourLady Macbeth pushes her husband toward murder: Follow Macbeth's reasons against murder and watch how Lady Macbeth challenges his courage.
- Day fiveThe night of the dagger and the knocking: Notice how blood, disturbed sleep and knocking turn the murder into an experience of fear.
- Day sixA king who cannot feel safe: Watch how Macbeth acts without his wife's guidance but still depends on the witches' promises.
- Day sevenWhat the play says about ambition and guilt: Compare the couple's responses to guilt and consider how each new crime feeds Macbeth's fears.
- Day eightHow Shakespeare builds the darkness: Notice how speeches made alone reveal Macbeth's thoughts, while repeated images connect darkness, blood and sleep.
- Day nineThe cast: Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, King Duncan and Macduff. Write one line on what each of them wants.
- Day tenThemes: Ambition; Guilt; Appearance and reality; Fate and choice. Pick one moment in the story for each.
- Day elevenForm: study how the play is built: its scenes, its speeches and its turning points.
- Day twelvePractice: plan an essay on one theme, write it in full, then check it against your notes.
- Day thirteenPractice: answer a question about a character or an extract in the same way.
- Day fourteenRecap: reread your notes and the summary, say the plot out loud once, then rest.
From the boards' published specifications and final summer 2027 timetables, read on 23 October 2026. Ask your school which board and papers you sit.
Questions
What is Macbeth about?
Macbeth is about a Scottish general whose desire for the crown leads him to murder and further violence. The play follows how ambition, guilt and fear change him and his marriage.
Who are the main characters in Macbeth?
The main characters are Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, King Duncan, Macduff, Malcolm and the Three Witches. Their relationships bring together ambition, loyalty, suspicion and competing claims to power.
What are the main themes of Macbeth?
The main themes are ambition, guilt, appearance and reality, and fate and choice. Macbeth's decisions show how the pursuit of power can destroy peace of mind rather than create safety.
Is Macbeth a set text for GCSE English Literature?
Yes. AQA lists it in Paper 1, Section A (Shakespeare). Pearson Edexcel lists it in Paper 1, Section A (Shakespeare). OCR lists it in Paper 2 (J352/02), Section B (Shakespeare). WJEC Eduqas lists it in Component 1, Section A (Shakespeare).
When are the GCSE English Literature exams in 2027?
The summer 2027 GCSE exams run from 10 May to 18 June 2027. AQA: Paper 1, Wednesday 12 May 2027, morning. Pearson Edexcel: Paper 1, Wednesday 12 May 2027, morning. OCR: Paper 2 (J352/02), Wednesday 19 May 2027, morning. WJEC Eduqas: Component 1, Wednesday 12 May 2027, morning.