Macbeth, Act 4

Macbeth returns to the Witches. Macduff's family is killed while Macduff and Malcom plot invasion from England.

Macbeth orders the murder of Banquo. Banquo’s ghost appears at the feast and drives Macbeth mad. Macbeth plans to go see the witches to learn more of his fate.

Macbeth kills Duncan. Duncan’s sons flee to England and Macbeth is crowned King.

Macbeth and Scottish forces defeat the Norwegian invasion. The witches prophesy Macbeth shall be King. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to murder Duncan.

The British forces overcome the French. Goneril and Regan die. Edgar kills Edmund, and Edmund repents his orders to kill Cordelia but too late. “The wonder is he has endured so long.”

Lear recovers his senses and reconciles with Cordelia. Edgar puts Gloucester through a mock suicide to revive him.

Lear descends into madness in a hovel and conducts a mock trial for his daughters in a hovel. Gloucester is condemned for treason by Cornwall and has his eyes plucked out.

Edmund perfects his betrayal of Edgar, and Lear is driven mad and onto the heath by his daughters.

Lear demands his daughters flatter him to earn their share of the kingdom. Cordelia refuses and is banished. Lear resigns the crown, Goneril begins a campaign of passive aggression and gaslighting to drive him mad.

The second play in the tragedy of the House of Atreus. Pelops, resurrected by Hermes, journeys to Elis to find a new home and brings the curse upon his family.