Macbeth

The Witches Prophecy

Feb 9, 1136

The Three Witches meet Macbeth and Banquo just after one of their battles and tell Macbeth that he will become a King and tell Banquo that he will father kings.
First Witch: 'All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!'
Second Witch: 'All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!'
Third Witch: 'All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!'

Macbeth becomes the Thane of Cawdor

Feb 9, 1136

On his return, Macbeth is greeted with the title of the Thane of Cawdor by Ross and Angus.
ROSS: And, for an earnest of a greater honour, He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor: In which addition, hail, most worthy thane! For it is thine.

King Duncan Visits Macbeth

Mar 11, 1136

King Duncan is pleased with Macbeth defeating the Norwegians and rebel Scottish, so he proposes to visit him in his castle.

Lady Macbeth Plots

Mar 11, 1136

Lady Macbeth hears of Macbeth's good news, and decides to convince him to kill the king so that he may be king and she may be queen.
Lady Macbeth: Stop up the access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between The effect and it!

The Murder is Discovered

Mar 12, 1136

Macduff arrives and discovers Duncan's murder. Donalbain and Malcom flee, fearing being accused of the murder of their Father.

Macbeth Murders King Duncan

Mar 12, 1136

Macbeth kills King Duncan, and begins to have hallucinations, he returns to his wife to the realisation he still holds the bloody knife. Lady Macbeth plants the knife by the guards, drugged.
MACBETH: If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly: if the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch With his surcease success; that but this blow Make be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come.

Macbeth Becomes King

Apr 1, 1136

Macbeth is made king, and Lady Macbeth is made queen in the wake of Duncan's murder.

Macbeth Has Banquo Assassinated

May 26, 1136

Macbeth fears for his position, as the witches prophecised that Banquo would father kings. He has Banquo assassinated, but Fleance (Banquo's son) escapes. Macbeth is then haunted by Banquo's ghost (real or hallucination... oooh...).
MACBETH: Our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares; And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety.

The Second Prophecy

Jun 3, 1136

Macbeth meets the witches in the woods again, to fear Macduff, and is told that he can not be harmed by any man of woman born, and he will not be vanquished until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinan.
Third Apparition: Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care
Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are:
Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be untilGreat Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hillShall come against him.

Macbeth Has Macduff Assassinated

Jun 13, 1136

In order to protect his throne and to scare off Macduff (because of the witches prophecy, Macbeth has Macduff's family assassinated.
Macduff is enraged when told of the murders, and this incites him, with Malcom, to strike out against Macbeth.
ROSS: Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes
Savagely slaughter'd: to relate the manner,Were, on the quarry of these murder'd deer,
To add the death of you.

Macbeth is defeated.

Jul 18, 1136

Macduff and Malcolm command their men to cover themselves with branches and to approach Macbeth's castle. This gives the impression of Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane. Macbeth is fought by Macduff. We find out that Macduff was born by ceasarian section, and so is not of woman born. He slays Macbeth, and Malcolm becomes king.
MACDUFF: Despair thy charm;And let the angel whom thou still hast servedTell thee, Macduff was from his mother's wombUntimely ripp'd.