Macbeth tells his wife of the Witches' predictions and she encourages him to murder the current king, Duncan, who is staying with them as a guest. After Macduff discovers the murder, Duncan's sons flee the country, leaving the way clear for Macbeth to become king.
Macduff confronts Macbeth. Macbeth holds on to the witches’ prophecy that he cannot be killed by a man born of a woman. Macduff reveals that he was ‘untimely ripped’ from his mother and not born naturally. Macbeth realises that all the prophecies have come true and he is going to die but decides to die fighting, saying ‘Yet I will try the last.
In Act 12 of Macbeth, Macbeth feels safe in his remote castle at Dunsinane until he is told that Birnam Wood is moving towards him1. Malcolm's army is carrying branches from the forest as camouflage for their assault on Macbeth's stronghold1. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth walks in her sleep and tells her secrets to her doctor1. After Macbeth murders Duncan, the king’s two sons flee, and Macbeth is crowned2. Macbeth has Banquo killed because he fears that Banquo’s descendants will take over the kingdom2.