The extract is set in Scotland in the eleventh century during a battle of rebels where Macbeth had won. Macbeth is a brave general, loyal to King Duncan. Until, that is, he meets three evil witches after the battle. They tell him that one day he will be the King of Scotland. They also announce that the children of Banquo (his friend) would be kings. Macbeth writes immediately a letter to his wife to tell her everything. At Inverness Castle, Lady Macbeth decides that she will persuade his husband to fulfil his destiny through foul play. She learns that King Duncan is coming to their castle to stay the night, thinking up thus Duncan's murder. However, Lady Macbeth encourages her husband to do it because he is a coward. Macbeth kills the current king with the help of his wife and they accuse the guards to have murdered Duncan. The following day, Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, run away to England and Ireland, fearing for their own lives. Consequently, Macbeth is declared king, even if Macduff (Scottish Thane) is uncertain about Duncan's death.

After that Macbeth, being afraid of Banquo, decides to murder Banquo and his son, Fleance and orders to his men to kill them. The murderers successfully murder Banquo, but Fleance escapes. In England, Macduff hears that his son and his wife are dead at the hand of Macbeth, so agree to fight with Malcolm against Macbeth. In the same time, in the castle Macbeth learns that his wife has died by her own hand. In the end Macduff and Macbeth fight and Macduff kills Macbeth. Macduff then crowns Malcolm the new King of Scotland.