Act 1:
- The play opens with three witches predicting that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland.
- Macbeth, a brave and loyal general, is rewarded by King Duncan for his victory in a battle.
- Macbeth is tempted by the witches' prophecies and, driven by his ambition and the influence of his wife Lady Macbeth, decides to murder King Duncan.
Act 2:
- Macbeth kills King Duncan and becomes King of Scotland. However, he is plagued by guilt and paranoia.
- Macbeth sees a vision of Banquo's ghost, a former ally whom Macbeth had ordered killed. This intensifies his mental turmoil.
Act 3:
- Macbeth consults the witches again, who show him a series of apparitions that warn him of his downfall.
Act 4:
- Macbeth orders more murders to secure his power, but his reign becomes increasingly tyrannical and oppressive.
- Macduff, a Scottish nobleman, joins forces with Malcolm, Duncan's son, and an English army to overthrow Macbeth.
Act 5:
- Macbeth faces Macduff in a final confrontation, and ultimately meets his demise.
- Malcolm is crowned as the new king of Scotland, restoring order and justice to the kingdom.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare explores themes of ambition, power, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions, making "Macbeth" one of the most powerful and thought-provoking tragedies in Western literature.