The Tragedy of Macbeth
As ghastly witches prophesy that Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, will soon become the King of Scotland, ambitious Lady Macbeth prompts her husband to act. So, to speed things up, conflicted Macbeth seizes the opportunity, and as blood stains his hands, the throne is his for the taking. However, murder is an unbearable burden, and before long, rabid paranoia blackens the conscience and imperils the sanity of the cursed couple. Now, only death awaits. Can a mere mortal escape fate?
The film earned $176K at the global box office.
Nominated for 3 Oscars. 20 wins & 115 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) exemplifies strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Joel Coen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 45 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Macbeth as war hero in King Duncan's service, returning victorious from battle. The three witches appear in the fog-shrouded landscape, establishing the supernatural world.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Duncan announces he will stay at Macbeth's castle at Inverness. This opportunity disrupts Macbeth's moral equilibrium, making the prophesied murder suddenly possible.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Macbeth chooses to murder Duncan. The dagger soliloquy and the assassination mark his active choice to cross into evil. He enters the chamber and commits regicide., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The banquet scene where Banquo's ghost appears. Macbeth's public facade cracks, revealing his guilt and madness. False victory (he's king) becomes false defeat (he's losing control). Stakes raise dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 77 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Lady Macbeth's death. The "whiff of death" is literal—Macbeth's partner and co-conspirator dies, likely by suicide. He delivers the "Tomorrow and tomorrow" speech, facing the meaninglessness of his choices., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 82 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Learning Birnam Wood moves toward Dunsinane and that Macduff was "not of woman born," Macbeth realizes the prophecies have betrayed him. Yet he chooses to fight anyway—a corrupted form of his original warrior virtue., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Tragedy of Macbeth's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Tragedy of Macbeth against these established plot points, we can identify how Joel Coen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Tragedy of Macbeth within the drama genre.
Joel Coen's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Joel Coen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Tragedy of Macbeth takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Joel Coen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Joel Coen analyses, see Raising Arizona, Intolerable Cruelty and Miller's Crossing.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Macbeth as war hero in King Duncan's service, returning victorious from battle. The three witches appear in the fog-shrouded landscape, establishing the supernatural world.
Theme
The witches prophesy: "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" The theme of ambition corrupting virtue is stated through supernatural prophecy.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Macbeth's honor and Duncan's kingdom. Macbeth receives honors, Duncan names Malcolm heir, and Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth about the prophecy. The court hierarchy and relationships are defined.
Disruption
Duncan announces he will stay at Macbeth's castle at Inverness. This opportunity disrupts Macbeth's moral equilibrium, making the prophesied murder suddenly possible.
Resistance
Lady Macbeth becomes the dark guide, steeling Macbeth's resolve. He debates with himself and his wife about whether to murder Duncan. His conscience wars with ambition.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Macbeth chooses to murder Duncan. The dagger soliloquy and the assassination mark his active choice to cross into evil. He enters the chamber and commits regicide.
Mirror World
Macbeth's relationship with Banquo becomes the thematic mirror. Banquo represents the path not taken—honor despite prophecy. The contrast between their choices embodies the theme of moral corruption.
Premise
Macbeth becomes king and explores his new world of power. He arranges Banquo's murder, consolidates power, and experiences the paranoia that comes with ill-gotten authority. The "fun" of achieved ambition.
Midpoint
The banquet scene where Banquo's ghost appears. Macbeth's public facade cracks, revealing his guilt and madness. False victory (he's king) becomes false defeat (he's losing control). Stakes raise dramatically.
Opposition
Opposition closes in: Malcolm and Macduff gather forces, Macbeth becomes increasingly tyrannical, Lady Macbeth descends into madness, and the witches deliver new prophecies that give false confidence. Paranoia intensifies.
Collapse
Lady Macbeth's death. The "whiff of death" is literal—Macbeth's partner and co-conspirator dies, likely by suicide. He delivers the "Tomorrow and tomorrow" speech, facing the meaninglessness of his choices.
Crisis
Macbeth processes despair and isolation. He faces the emotional darkness of his absolute loss—wife dead, throne threatened, soul damned. Brief moment of dark reflection before final battle.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Learning Birnam Wood moves toward Dunsinane and that Macduff was "not of woman born," Macbeth realizes the prophecies have betrayed him. Yet he chooses to fight anyway—a corrupted form of his original warrior virtue.
Synthesis
The finale battle. Macbeth fights with nihilistic courage, faces Macduff in single combat, and is killed. Malcolm is proclaimed king, restoring order. The synthesis of justice through violence.
Transformation
Macbeth's severed head displayed; Malcolm crowned. The transformation is complete but tragic—the hero has become the tyrant and been destroyed. Order restored through the protagonist's death, not redemption.