Awkward Shakespeare

Macbeth Act 5 Scene 9 Absolutely everything is resolved. Macbeth is dead, Macduff is avenged, Malcolm is king. It's PURE coincidence that this is just how things were at the start of the play. No suggestion at all that history might repeat itself. History NEVER does that. (Where IS Fleance though?) Content warning: brief references to suicide.

Macbeth Act 5 Scene 8 In which we find out, in possibly the most controversial loophole in literary history, that being born by Caesarean means you were not "of woman born". Macduff takes his revenge, Macbeth is killed, the tyrant is no more. 

Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6 and Act 5 Scene 7 Surprise! It's not a moving wood, it's Malcolm's army. The two sides finally clash, the castle is somewhat easily surrendered, and there's one big scene for the actor given the role of Young Siward.

Macbeth Act 5 Scenes 4 and 5 In which the witches' prophecy about Great Birnam Wood unexpectedly comes true, Lady Macbeth dies, and Macbeth realises trusting supernatural entities was a really bad idea. Plus he gives a truly great speech about existence, theatre and the human condition.

Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3. Macbeth is back and he's definitely not afraid. As he says (repeatedly) what's he got to be afraid of? Still, best to get that terrified looking servant to go away, just in case it's catching. 

Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 A group of thanes are on their way to Birnam Wood, where they hope to meet Malcolm, Macduff and their army. Meanwhile "the tyrant", they tell us, is struggling to maintain his grip on power. Bonus: two unexpected references to the US political scene. #topical.

Macbeth Act 5 Scene 1 In which we see Lady Macbeth begin to disintegrate mentally as she finally begins to process the impact of her crimes. Turns out a little water does not in fact cleanse you of your deeds.

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 3  A scene even critics and academics describe as dull. Malcolm is greedy, lustful and entirely unfit to rule. Or is he? Secrets, lies, and masculinity takes, and poor Macduff finds out what's happened to his family. 

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 2 The one where Macduff's son is all cute and witty until (like a lot of other characters in this play) he's brutally murdered on Macbeth's orders. A useful reminder - as if you needed it - that tyranny is bad.

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1 (part 2) More detail on Macbeth and his second visit to the witches, in which I say FAR too much about this scene. But in my defence, there's a lot to say. 

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1 May contain as many as six witches. Spells are brewed and apparitions appear; Macbeth hears good and bad news.  (Continued in episode 20)

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 6 Lennox chats to a lord and reveals his concerns about Macbeth's reign. We're not really sure whose side he's on. Maybe he isn't either.

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 5 Did Shakespeare write this? Probably not. But I can talk about it anyway. An episode in which Hecate tells off the witches and (certainly at some points in performance history) delivers a musical number. Even malevolent spirits like a bit of a sing-song.

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 4 In which Macbeth sees a ghost and ruins his own dinner party.

Macbeth Themes A brief break from the story, and a look at the themes we have encountered so far in the play. 

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 3 The two murderers, with extra bonus third murderer, do some murdering. Bye bye Banquo; fly fly Fleance. I also forget that Macbeth murdered the two guards as well. Whoops. 

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 2 The Macbeth's are king and queen but neither is feeling particularly secure about it, and cracks are starting to show in their partnership.   

Macbeth Act 3 Scene 1 In which Macbeth insists Banquo make an effort to attend a meal which he knows full well he won't be able to make, due to his imminent demise. Note to self: don't ever go to stay with the Macbeths, for whom there is apparently no difference between "honoured guest", and "potential murder victim". 

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 4 A really old guy has never seen a night so bad. The heavens are rebelling at Macbeth's act. An owl killed a falcon, Duncan's horses ate each other... Could there be any better omens as Macbeth goes to Scone to be crowned? Macduff wants nothing to do with it, and heads to Fife.

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3 Knock knock. Who's there? A hungover porter who wants to make jokes about alcohol-induced impotence. Oh, and everyone finds out Duncan is dead. Grab yourself a biscuit before you start this one - it is LONG.

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2 Macbeth goes to pieces on realising that committing murder makes you a murderer. Owls shriek, there's a lot of knocking, and Lady Macbeth rolls her eyes and her sleeves up and gets on with things. 

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 1 It was a dark dark night, and in a dark dark castle, a dark dark thane was carrying out dark dark deeds... 

Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7 Macbeth has a change of heart, before changing it back when his wife tells him he's not a man and he clearly doesn't love her. She says she'd happily bash out a baby's brains if he asked her to. Faced with that terrifying statement, Macbeth recommits himself to the murder and they agree tonight will be Duncan's last. End scene, end act.

Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle and, unaware that he's commenting on the scene of his own impending demise, compliments the location like an eager estate agent. Lady Macbeth welcomes him in... 

Macbeth Act 1 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband about the witches and not only starts plotting regicide immediately, but calls on whatever local evil spirits are around to assist her. Impressive? Yes. Kind of scary? Also yes. Bye bye feelings, hello murderous intent.