2. Macbeth writes to his wife telling her of the prediction, which she takes to mean they must kill Duncan, the current King.

Transcription

1 Macbeth 1. In the realm of King Duncan of Scotland two royal Thanes Macbeth and Banquo - are returning from war. They meet three Witches who predict that Macbeth will become King and Banquo s heirs will be Kings. 2. Macbeth writes to his wife telling her of the prediction, which she takes to mean they must kill Duncan, the current King. 3. Duncan and his train arrive at Macbeth s Castle as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth wrangle over whether to kill him or not. 4. Macbeth kills Duncan as he sleeps. 5. Duncan s sons are initially blamed for his murder and flee in fear, leaving Macbeth to be crowned King. 6. Macbeth has Banquo killed. He fears he is haunted by Banquo s ghost and returns to the witches. They reassure him with more predictions of his power. 7. His friend Macduff flees to England to ask Duncan s son Malcolm to return and fight Macbeth as Scotland is collapsing under his rule. Macbeth has Macduff s wife and children killed for this disloyalty. 8. Lady Macbeth dies. 9. Macbeth comes under attack as the witches predictions come true one by one. 10. Macbeth is slain by Macduff and Malcolm is crowned King.

2 Macbeth Character List DUNCAN The good king of Scotland murdered by Macbeth. Duncan is the model of a virtuous, benevolent and farsighted ruler. MALCOLM Duncan's eldest son, who flees in fear with his brother Donalbain after their father's murder. Malcolm becomes a serious challenge to Macbeth with Macduff s aid (and the support of England). We can presume he would rule fairly like his father and end Macbeth's tyranny. DONALBAIN Duncan s son and Malcolm s younger brother. Macbeth is a brave and powerful general, and the thane of Glamis, whose ambition for the crown drives him to commit murder. Macbeth is more at home on the battlefield than in politics because his response to every problem is violence and murder. However, Macbeth is never comfortable in his role as a criminal. He is unable to bear the psychological consequences of his atrocities, especially after the death of his beloved wife. BANQUO a general The brave and noble general who does not let his ambition lead to treason and violence. According to the witches prophecy Banquo's children will inherit the Scottish throne but he does not act upon it, unlike Macbeth. Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth reminding him of his guilt. MACDUFF A Scottish nobleman who opposes Macbeth's kingship and becomes a leader of the crusade to unseat Macbeth. The crusade s mission is to place the rightful king, Malcolm, on the throne, but Macduff also desires vengeance for Macbeth s murder of his wife and young son whilst he was in England drumming up an army. He never forgives himself for leaving his family and servants unprotected. All were killed. LENNOX ROSS ANGUS Scottish noblemen who join Macduff's crusade against Macbeth. MENTIETH FLEANCE - Banquo's son

3 Banquo s son, who survives Macbeth s attempt to murder him. At the end of the play, Fleance s whereabouts are unknown. He may return to rule Scotland, fulfilling the witches prophecy that Banquo s sons will sit on the Scottish throne. SIWARD Earl of Northumberland, an Englishman who supports the crusade to replace Macbeth with Malcolm as king of Scotland. A PORTER The drunken doorman of Macbeth s castle. SETON Macbeth's manservant THREE MURDERERS A group of ruffians conscripted by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (whom they fail to kill), and Macduff s wife and children. LADY Macbeth s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and more ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan and seize the crown. However, after the bloodshed begins Lady Macbeth's guilt leads to madness. Her conscience affects her to such an extent that she eventually commits suicide. She and Macbeth are deeply in love and their partnership in crime seems to strengthen the attachment that they feel to each other. THREE WITCHES Three mystical beings who plot mischief against Macbeth using charms, spells, and prophecies. Their predictions prompt him to murder Duncan, to order the deaths of Banquo and his son, and to blindly believe in his own immortality. They clearly take a perverse delight in using their knowledge of the future to toy with and destroy human beings. They acknowledge that they themselves have masters who sanction the apparitions. APPARITIONS Three visions conjured by the witches for Macbeth. The first Apparition is an armed head and tells Macbeth that he should fear Macduff. The Second Apparition appears as a bloody child and reassures Macbeth that "none of woman born can harm him. The Third Apparition is a child wearing a crown with a tree in his hand and tells Macbeth he has nothing to fear NOBLEMEN, OFFICERS, SOLDIERS, SERVANTS AND MESSENGERS

4 Macbeth by William Shakespeare Abridged for the Shakespeare Schools Festival by Martin Lamb & Penelope Middelboe 30 MINUTE VERSION Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) We are such stuff as dreams are made on. Since 2000 SSF has used the genius of Shakespeare to empower 75,000 young people. As a charity we raise 500 towards each school s participation. Donations from individuals and local businesses are invaluable. To help more young people achieve their dreams visit LIST OF ROLES

5 Duncan Malcolm Donalbain Macbeth Banquo KING OF SCOTLAND /HIS SONS A GENERAL IN THE KING S ARMY, LATER KING A GENERAL Macduff Lennox Ross /NOBLEMEN OF SCOTLAND Angus Mentieth Fleance Siward BANQUO S SON EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, AN ENGLISHMAN A Porter Seton S MANSERVANT Three Murderers Lady Macbeth Three Witches Apparitions Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Attendants and Messengers Scene 1 2

6 A deserted place 1. Thunder and lightning. Three WITCHES 1 ST WITCH When shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? 2 ND WITCH When the hurlyburly s done, When the battle s lost and won. 3 RD WITCH That will be ere the set of sun. 1 ST WITCH Where the place? 2 ND WITCH Upon the heath. 3 RD WITCH There to meet with Macbeth ALL Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. They vanish Scene 3 A heath. Thunder. Three WITCHES Drum within 3 RD WITCH A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come. Enter and BANQUO BANQUO So foul and fair a day I have not seen. What are these, So withered, and so wild in their attire, That look not like th inhabitants o the earth, And yet are on t? Live you? Or are you aught 1 In Scotland 3

7 That man may question? Speak, if you can: what are you? 1 ST WITCH All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! 2 2 ND WITCH All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! 3 RD WITCH All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter. stands apart to consider his good fortune. BANQUO (aside to the WITCHES) If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear Your favours nor your hate. 1 ST WITCH Hail! 2 ND WITCH Hail! 3 RD WITCH Hail! As the WITCHES speak, returns to listen. 1 ST WITCH Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. 2 ND WITCH Not so happy yet much happier. 3 RD WITCH Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: So all hail Macbeth and Banquo! I know I am thane of Glamis; But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives; And to be king Stands not within the prospect belief, No more than Cawdor. Speak I charge you The WITCHES vanish. BANQUO Whither are they vanished? Your children shall be kings. 2 This is Macbeth s current title. 4

8 BANQUO You shall be king. And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so? Enter ROSS and ANGUS ROSS BANQUO ANGUS The king hath happily received, Macbeth, The news of thy success 3. He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor. (Aside) What, can the devil speak true? The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me In borrowed robes? Treasons capital, confessed, and proved; Have overthrown him. (Aside) Glamis, and thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind. BANQUO (To ) Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray s In deepest consequence. 4 Exeunt Scene 7 Same. Enter If it were done when tis done, then twere well It were done quickly. 5 (Pausing to doubt) He s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed: then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, 3 King Duncan has heard of Macbeth s victory against the King of Norway amongst other fighting successes. 4 Banquo warns Macbeth that the devil lulls people into a false sense of security. This is what happens to Macbeth who ultimately believes he is invincible but discovers he s been tricked (in Act 5) 5 It ll be better to get Duncan s murder over and done with. 5

9 Not bear the knife myself. Enter LADY How now! what news? LADY LADY LADY LADY He has almost supped: why have you left the chamber? We will proceed no further in this business. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire? I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. I have given suck, and know How tender tis to love the babe that milks me- I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this. If we should fail? We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place, And we ll not fail. What cannot you and I perform upon Th unguarded Duncan? what not put upon His spongy 6 officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell? Bring forth men-children only! For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know Exeunt Scene 8 Same, a few hours later. 6 They plan to frame his drunken guards for the murder 6

10 Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? (becoming excited) Thou marshall st me the way that I was going, And such an instrument I was to use! (he closes his eyes and opens them again) I see thee still; It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. A bell rings I go, and it is done: the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell. EXIT 7