Macbeth: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Macbeth, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- MacbethThe three witches name him as the person they will meet after the battle.First seen in scene 1
- three witchesThey appear amid thunder and lightning and arrange to meet Macbeth after the battle.First seen in scene 1
- BanquoA fighter who joins Macbeth in fiercely resisting a fresh Norwegian attack.First seen in scene 2
- MalcolmHe identifies the wounded soldier who protected him from capture.First seen in scene 2
- DuncanThe king hears battle reports and orders Macbeth rewarded with Cawdor’s title.First seen in scene 2
- Lady MacbethMacbeth’s wife, whom he leaves to prepare for Duncan’s visit.First seen in scene 4
- FleanceHe receives Banquo’s sword as Banquo speaks of troubling dreams.First seen in scene 8
- MacduffHe discovers Duncan’s murder and raises the alarm among the household.First seen in scene 10
- LennoxHe arrives with Macduff and describes a violent night filled with disturbing signs.First seen in scene 10
- DonalbainHe distrusts the household’s grief and decides to leave for Ireland.First seen in scene 10
- HecateShe scolds the witches for excluding her and plans deceptive spirits for Macbeth.First seen in scene 16
- SiwardHe prepares military support for Malcolm against Macbeth.First seen in scene 20
- Scene 1
Three witches agree to meet Macbeth on an open moor after the battle.
- Scene 2
Duncan hears of Macbeth’s victories and orders Ross to give him Cawdor’s title.
- Scene 3
The witches predict Macbeth’s kingship and Banquo’s royal descendants; Ross confirms Macbeth’s new title.
- Scene 4
Duncan names Malcolm his heir, and Macbeth privately sees Malcolm as an obstacle.
- Scene 5
Lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter and resolves to overcome his reluctance to seize royal power.
- Scene 7
Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth’s courage and proposes blaming Duncan’s attendants, persuading him to commit murder.
- Scene 8
Macbeth sees an imagined dagger and leaves to carry out the murder when a bell rings.
- Scene 9
Macbeth returns after killing Duncan, and Lady Macbeth takes charge of hiding the evidence.
- Scene 10
Macduff discovers Duncan’s murder; Macbeth admits killing the attendants, while Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee.
- Scene 11
Macbeth is named king and goes to Scone for his coronation, while Macduff chooses Fife instead.
- Scene 12
Fearing Banquo’s royal descendants, Macbeth secretly orders murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance.
- Scene 14
The murderers kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes their attack.
- Scene 15
Macbeth disrupts the banquet by reacting to Banquo’s ghost and later resolves to seek the witches.
- Scene 16
Hecate orders preparations for Macbeth’s visit and plans illusions that will encourage dangerous overconfidence.
- Scene 18
Macbeth receives warnings and assurances from spirits, then orders an attack on Macduff’s family.
- Scene 19
Murderers kill Lady Macduff’s son and chase her as she runs away.
- Scene 20
Malcolm accepts Macduff’s loyalty, and Ross reports the murder of Macduff’s family and servants.
- Scene 21
A doctor and gentlewoman watch Lady Macbeth sleepwalk, rub her hands, and speak about blood and deaths.
- Scene 22
Scottish forces march toward Birnam to join the English army led by Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff.
- Scene 24
Malcolm orders each soldier to carry a branch from Birnam forest to conceal the army’s size.
- Scene 25
Macbeth hears that the Queen is dead and that Birnam forest appears to move toward Dunsinane.
- Scene 26
Malcolm orders the soldiers to discard their branches and assigns Siward and his son the first division.
- Scene 27
Macbeth kills Young Siward while Macduff searches for him and the castle surrenders.
- Scene 28
Macduff reveals his unusual birth, defeats Macbeth, and presents his head to Malcolm, who is welcomed as king.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- open moorThe place where the witches agree to meet Macbeth after the battle.First seen in scene 1
- InvernessThe destination Duncan proposes visiting while Macbeth prepares his wife for the visit.First seen in scene 4
- EnglandOne of the destinations chosen by Malcolm and Donalbain as they leave for safety.First seen in scene 10
- DunsinaneThe hill against which advancing Birnam wood would end Macbeth’s promised safety.First seen in scene 18
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