The Shakespeare Book

268

T

hree witches assemble on

a heath for an encounter

with Macbeth. Returning

from victory on the battlefield

Macbeth and Banquo meet these

“weird sisters,” who prophesy that

Macbeth will become king and that

Banquo’s heirs will reign thereafter.

Soon after, Macbeth receives word

that he has been made Thane (clan

chief) of Cawdor, which leads him

to give credence to the witches’

foresight. He shares his news with

his wife, and she begins to plot

to murder King Duncan so that

Macbeth can become king.

MACBETH

News arrives that Duncan will visit

the Macbeths’ castle, and Lady

Macbeth persuades her husband to

kill him that night. She lays plans

to drug the king’s guards, so that

Macbeth may slip into the king’s

chamber. As he makes his way

there Macbeth sees a vision of a

floating dagger signaling the way.

Having murdered the king, Macbeth

returns to his wife with the bloody

daggers still in his hands. Terrified

that the murder has woken other

sleepers, Macbeth begins to panic

until his wife calms him. As the

couple leaves to wash themselves

DRAMATIS

PERSONAE

Duncan King of Scotland.

He is invited to Macbeth’s

castle and is murdered in

his sleep.

Malcolm Duncan’s son. He

flees to England for fear of his

life when his father is slain, but

returns to defeat Macbeth, and

to be crowned.

Macbeth A noble warrior and

Thane of Glamis. He murders

the king and begins a reign of

terror. He is killed by Macduff

as the witches prophesied.

Lady Macbeth Macbeth’s

wife. She encourages her

husband to kill the king, but

is later tormented by the part

she played in his murder.

Banquo A close ally of

Macbeth. He is murdered

at Macbeth’s command,

but returns to haunt him.

Fleance Banquo’s son, he

flees from the hired murderers.

Macduff The Thane of Fife,

and faithful supporter of King

Duncan. He discovers the

king’s dead body, and incites

rebellion against Macbeth.

Lady Macduff Macduff’s

wife. She is murdered, with her

children, at Macbeth’s order.

Witches Bearded hags who

predict that Macbeth will

become king. They also tell

him the circumstances under

which he will lose the crown

and his life.

A Porter Keeper of the castle

gate. A drunken, witty, cynic.

Act 1 Act 2

1.6

2.2

1.2–3

1.5

2.3

King Duncan

arrives at

Macbeth’s castle.

King Duncan learns that

Macbeth’s heroism

has won the battle.

Three witches give

Macbeth a prophecy.

Lady Macbeth

resolves to murder

Duncan after being

told of the prophecy

in a letter from

Macbeth.

Duncan’s sons,

Malcolm and Donalbain,

flee to England.

Macbeth murders

the king in his sleep.