MACBETH

by
william Shakespeare

Abridged for HQMS

Summer 2022
 Cast of Characters

DUNCAN KING OF SCOTLAND [MURDERED BY MACBETH]

MALCOLM / HIS SONS; MALCOLM LATER LEADS A REVOLT AGAINST MACBETH
DONALBAIN
MACBETH A GENERAL IN THE KING’S ARMY, LATER KING
LADY MACBETH THE POWER-HUNGRY WIFE WHO PUSHES MACBETH
BANQUO A NOBLE GENERAL AND FRIEND OF MACBETH
FLEANCE HIS SON

MACDUFF A NOBLEMAN WHO LATER KILLS MACBETH

LENNOX A NOBLEMAN OF SCOTLAND
ROSS A SERGEANT IN THE KING’S ARMY
SETON MACBETH’S SERVANT

WITCH 1
WITCH 2 THEY PRESENT MACBETH WITH PROPHECIES ABOUT HIS FUTURE
WITCH 3

MURDERER 1 HIRED BY MACBETH TO KILL BANQUO AND HIS SON FLEANCE

MURDERER 2

ANGUS SOLDIER

MESSENGER BRINGS MACBETH NEWS THAT HE HAS SEEN BIRNAM FOREST MOVING

DOCTOR THEY OBSERVE HINTS OF LADY MACBETH’S DESCENT INTO MADNESS [VIDEO]

MAIDSERVANT
Summary of MACBETH, by William Shakespeare

Macbeth is a story of greed, betrayal and vengeance set in Scotland around the 11th
century. It begins with two valiant soldiers, Macbeth and Banquo returning from a battle
where Macbeth ends the fight by killing the traitorous enemy, the Thane of Cawdor. A
thane is a nobleman who owns and controls a designated area of land. At this time
Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis, meaning he is the controller of Glamis. Later, when
King Duncan hears of Macbeth’s bravery, he gives Macbeth the defeated man’s title:
Thane of Cawdor. So, Macbeth is then the Thane of Glamis and Cawdor. This means he
has a significant amount of wealth and power. But greed pushes him to want more.

Macbeth and Banquo encounter three mysterious, and strange witches while making
their way home from the battle. The witches present Macbeth and Banquo with a few
predictions. One is that Macbeth will be given the title Thane of Cawdor. Another is that
Macbeth will be king. When Banquo asks about his future, they say that one day his
offspring will be king. Macbeth is confused by the predictions and does not believe them
until news arrives that King Duncan has given him the title Thane of Cawdor. He writes
a letter to his wife, Lady Macbeth, about his good fortune.

Lady Macbeth is pleased to hear news of her husband’s promotions, but she wants
more. She teases Macbeth for being too soft and encourages him to kill King Duncan, so
that they can be king and queen. Macbeth has doubts about killing the good king, but
he and his wife commit the murder, frame Duncan’s guards for the crime, and become
the most powerful people in the Scotland. King Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain,
leave Scotland to raise armies against Macbeth. Macbeth becomes king.

Since the witches predicted that Banquo’s offspring would become king, Macbeth has
his friend Banquo murdered. During the attack, Banquo’s son, Fleance, escapes. At
Macbeth’s celebration dinner, the ghost of Banquo appears causing Macbeth to lose his
cool and appear insane. This event leads to Macduff leaving Scotland to join the others.
When Macbeth hears about this, he has Macduff’s entire family murdered. After hearing
of these murders, everyone wants Macbeth dead.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s greed and betrayal take a toll on their conscience and
mental health. Lady Macbeth commits suicide and, in the final, epic battle, Macduff kills
Macbeth. Malcolm, Duncan’s eldest son, is declared the new king of Scotland. Banquo’s
offspring become kings in foreign lands.
 Macbeth abridged for HQMS
22 Scenes - Summaries
1. Three witches establish when they will meet Macbeth.

2. King Duncan and others learn of Macbeth’s victory. The king is pleased and gives him a new title: “Thane of Cawdor”

3. Three witches meet Macbeth and Banquo as they return from battle. Tell their prophecies.
Macbeth will be “Thane of Cawdor & future king.” “Banquo’s offspring will be kings.” Banquo warns of evil trickery.

4. Men honor Macbeth’s victory in battle. We see a glimpse of greed as the Prince of Cumberland title stirs Macbeth.

5. At Macbeth’s castle (Dunsidane). Lady Macbeth hears of Macbeth’s promotion but wants more.
She submits to evil with hope of gaining wealth and power, plots for Macbeth to kill Duncan and become king.

6. King Duncan and his men arrive at Macbeth’s castle.

7. Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth to kill Duncan; Macbeth feels guilt. She pushes harder.

8. Macbeth hallucinates that he sees a dagger, or maybe he sees a shadow in shape of dagger.
Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Macbeth is heartened to kill King Duncan.

9. Macbeth kills King Duncan. Lady Macbeth helps him frame the guards for the crime.

10. Long scene. King Duncan is found dead, Lady Macbeth faints, the King’s royal sons disperse to raise armies.

11. The Macbeths are crowned King and Queen. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo.

12. Murderers kill Banquo. His son Fleance escapes.

13. Dinner celebration. Murderers tell Macbeth news about Banquo and son. Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost.

14. Macduff suspects Macbeth and leaves to raise an army against him. Ross and Lennox support him.

15. Macbeth visits the three witches in a cave for advice on what to do next. They present him with three prophecies.
“Beware Macduff”, “No man born of woman…” “Burnam Forest…” Macbeth has Macduff’s servants and family killed.

16. Macduff learns about his murdered family. Men rally against Macbeth. Bring though this fiend of Scotland…

17. Lady Macbeth’s final scene. She goes mad and kills herself. Out, damned spot! … To bed, to bed, to bed.

18. Lennox, Ross, Angus and army soon to join Macduff and Malcolm’s troops to attack.

19. Macbeth is beyond reason. He prepares for battle and taunts fate. Till Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane.

20. The army against Macbeth is outside his castle. They camouflage themselves with tree branches.

21. Macbeth learns that Lady Macbeth is dead. It hurts him and drives him over the edge. Out, out, brief candle!
He receives a report that it appears the forest is moving towards the castle.

22. Full on battle. “Turn, hell hound.” Macduff was from his mother’s womb /Untimely ripped. Macduff kills Macbeth.
Malcolm is declared King of Scotland. They celebrate victory.
 SCENE 1

A deserted place. Thunder and lightning

Three WITCHES

WITCH 1: When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning or rain?

WITCH 2: When the hurly-burly’s done, when the battle’s lost or won.
WITCH 3: That will be the ere the set of sun.
WITCH 1: Where the place?
WITCH 2: Upon the heath.
WITCH 3: There to meet Macbeth.
ALL: Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.

They vanish
END SCENE
SCENE 2

A camp near the Royal Palace at Forres

KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN AND LENNOX
A trumpet sounds announcing the visitor

Enter ROSS fresh from fighting

ROSS: God save King Duncan
KING DUNCAN: What bloody man is that?
MALCOLM: Sergeant, can you tell the King where the battle stands?
ROSS: Kneels before the king Sir, our forces captained by the brave
Macbeth, met the rebel forces and defeated them.
KING DUNCAN: Gestures for ROSS to stand. Does the rebel Cawdor still fight in the South?
ROSS: He is captured sir.
KING DUNCAN: Great happiness! Put the man to death and give his former title to
Macbeth.
ROSS: I’ll see it Done ROSS bows and exits
KIND DUNCAN: What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.
END SCENE
1
 SCENE 3
A heath. Wind and thunder
Three WITCHES
Drum within

WITCH 3: A drum, a drum!

WITCH 2: Macbeth
WITCH 1: Doth come

Enter MACBETH and BANQUO fresh from battle

MACBETH: So fair and foul a day I have not seen.

BANQUO: What are these, so withered and so wild in their attire,
That look not like inhabitants o’ the earth,
And yet are on it. Live you? Are you ought that man may question?
MACBETH: Speak, if you can: what are you?
WITCH 1: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!
WITCH 2: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!
WITCH 3: All hail, Macbeth! Who shall be king hereafter!
BANQUO: to MACBETH They say you will be king!
MACBETH stands apart to consider his good fortune.
(aside to the WITCHES)
If you can look into the seeds of time, tell me my future!
WITCH 1: Hail!
WITCH 2: Hail!
WITCH 3: Hail!
WITCH 1: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
WITCH 2: Not so happy, yet much happier.
WITCH 3: Your sons will be kings though you will not.
BANQUO moves to MACBETH [WITCHES silently exit]
MACBETH: 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 of belief. Shouts
How do they know such things! Turns to witches Speak I charge you!
The WITCHES have vanished leaving dark cloak behind
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BANQUO: Whither are they vanished? (Grabs cloak from ground)
MACBETH: Your children shall be kings!
BANQUO: You shall be king!
MACBETH: And Thane of Cawdor too…went it not so?

Enter ROSS

ROSS: The King is pleased with your victory, Macbeth,

And has announced that you are the new, Thane of Cawdor.
BANQUO: (aside) What, the Witches speak true? (Looks at black robe)
MACBETH: The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed robes?
ROSS: The rebel Cawdor is dead. You will now have his title and his lands.
MACBETH: Can this be true?
ROSS: Here is the King’s letter.
MACBETH: (Moves away from BANQUO, reading). Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor..?
The crown is one death away.
BANQUO: To MACBETH Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of
darkness tell us such truths, which betray us, with deepest consequence.
END SCENE

SCENE 4

The KING’s Palace

KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX

KING DUNCAN: Is the rebel executed?

LENNOX: They say he died well.
KING DUNCAN: Fool that I am that trusted him.

Enter MACBETH, BANQUO and ROSS

O worthiest cousin! Noble Banquo!

Ah, Macbeth, my worthy Cawdor, I owe you more than I can pay.
Malcom, as of today, you are the Prince of Cumberland.
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MACBETH: I’ll make joyful the hearing of your great news to my wife;
I humbly take my leave.
KING DUNCAN: You may go. We shall meet again soon.
MACBETH: So, Malcolm is now Duncan’s heir. This in my way stands.
Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires.
END SCENE

SCENE 5

Macbeth’s castle, Dunsidane

Enter LADY MACBETH, reading a letter

LADY MACBETH: This I have thought to deliver thee, my dearest partner. I am now Thane
of Glamis AND of Cawdor! You often speak that I am too tender to reach
your ambitions. After the battle witches appeared telling I would be King.
Greatness is promised. Rejoice! Farewell until we meet. (She folds up the
letter.) Much is achieved, husband, but I do fear your nature. You want
greatness, you have ambition, but that which must be done you fear to do.
(SETON enters)
What do you want? You may speak
SETON: The King comes here tonight. (LM flashes evil smile &waves SETON to leave)
LADY MACBETH: Oh, the fatal entrance of Duncan
Now is my chance to take the world
He will never leave here alive -
Come, thick night,
And take him to the dunnest smoke of hell,
So my knife see not the wounds it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To stop me.
Enter Macbeth
Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdor! She takes off his cape. He kneels.
Greater than both, rise my dear soldier!
MACBETH: My dearest love, Duncan comes here tonight, but leaves tomorrow.
LADY MACBETH: O’ never shall the sun see that tomorrow. When Duncan arrives, look like
the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it. Leave the rest to me.
END SCENE

4
 SCENE 6

Enter KING DUNCAN, MALCOLM,

BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF and ROSS

KING DUNCAN: What a lovely castle; such pleasant air (breaths deeply)
Enter LADY MACBETH who curtseys
Ah, our honored hostess. Take me to Macbeth; we love him highly,
and shall continue our graces upon him.
LADY MACBETH: Our King and Lord Banquo, your visit honors this house.
(KING DUNCAN offers LADY MACBETH his arm and exits. Her evil
plan shows on her face as she leads the King to MACBETH.
Later she convinces MACBETH that he must kill KING DUNCAN
and take the throne.)
END SCENE

SCENE 7

Enter MACBETH with dagger

MACBETH: (Thrusting dagger) If I am going to do it, then I must do it quickly.

(Pausing to reflect) But he is a good man:
I am his friend and subject,
AND, he is here as my guest,
I should protect him from harm,
Not bear the knife myself.

Enter LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH: How now! What news?

He has almost finished supper: why are you not waiting for him?
MACBETH: We’ll go no further with this business.
LADY MACBETH: Could you live knowing your own cowardice?
Are you afraid to act on your desires?
MACBETH: I am not a coward!

5
LADY MACBETH: When you do it, then you are a man!
MACBETH: (Changing his tone) If we should fail?
What shall we do with Duncan’s guards?
LADY MACBETH: We, fail?
When Duncan is asleep, I’ll make his servants drunk until they fall
in swinish sleep. We’ll kill him then say those drunken men have done it.
Have you no courage?
MACBETH: Such genius! What a great woman I have married!
False faces must hide what false hearts know.

END SCENE

SCENE 8

BANQUO and FLEANCE

BANQUO: What is the time, boy?

FLEANCE: I have not heard the clock strike.

Enter MACBETH with goblet of wine

MACBETH: What sir, not sleeping, the King’s in bed.

BANQUO: We seek our rest.
MACBETH: Sleep well, sir.

They Exit

MACBETH: This is the son that will be king?

(Laughs. Sips his wine; notices something in the distance)
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, (rubs eyes)
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
(becoming excited)
Though marshall’st me the way that I must go.
And such an instrument I am to use!

6
 (he closes eyes, reaches grasps forward 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 knell
That summons thee to heaven, or to hell.

END SCENE

SCENE 9

LADY MACBETH
A few hours later
Enter LADY MACBETH with goblet

MACBETH: (O.S.) Who’s there?

LADY MACBETH: I am afraid that they have waked and it is not done. I laid their daggers
ready as we planned.
MACBETH enters holding bloody dagger.
MACBETH: I have done the deed. (Looking at his bloody hands)
This is a sorry sight.
LADY MACBETH: (Noticing the dagger)
Why did you bring this?
Take it back and smear the drunken guards with blood.
MACBETH: I’ll go no more. I dare not see it.
LADY MACBETH: Fool! Give it to me. I will put it in their place.
She exits. MACBETH looks at his bloody hands
MACBETH: What have I done? Will oceans clean this blood off of my hands?
No, they will turn the blue sea red.

LADY MACBETH returns

LADY MACBETH: My hands are of your color.

7
 Knocking
A little water clears us of this deed.
Knocking
Go now! (MACBETH staggers away a few steps and waits)
Wake Duncan with thy knocking! But, ye sleeps forever!
(They exit)

END SCENE

SCENE 10

Knocking within. Enter SETON

He opens door
Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX

MACDUFF: Is the King still stirring?

SETON: Not yet.
MACDUFF: He did command me to arrive early.
He should be waiting for my arrival.
SETON: I’ll bring you to him.

SETON shows MACDUFF into the KING’S chamber.

MACDUFF backs out horrified.

MACDUFF: O horror! horror! horror!

LENNOX: What has happened?
MACDUFF: See for yourself!

LENNOX enters the chamber

Awake! Awake!
LENNOX: Ring the alarm bell! Murder and treason!
Banquo and Fleance! Malcolm! Awake!

Bell rings
8
 Enter LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH: What’s the business? Speak, speak!

MACDUFF: O’ gentle lady. Tis not for you to hear what I can speak.

Enter Banquo

O Banquo! Banquo!
Our royal master’s murdered!
LADY MACBETH: What, in our house?!

Enter MACBETH, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, & FLEANCE

DONALBAIN: What is the matter?

MACDUFF: Your royal father’s been murdered.
MALCOLM: O, by whom?
LENNOX: His chamber servants. Their faces bloody. The daggers on their pillows.
MACBETH: Yes, I avenged the King and killed them both!
MACDUFF: (Suspiciously) You killed them?
MACBETH: Who can be furious and wise in a single moment?
They, uh, yes, I felt I –
LADY MACBETH: (Fainting to avoid further questioning of MACBETH)
Help me, hence, ho!
MACDUFF: Look to the lady (LENNOX and SETON help her off stage)

All exit but MALCOLM and DONALBAIN

MALCOLM: Our father dead, they will think his sons killed for the throne.
I’ll go to England. We shall raise an army.
DONALBAIN: To Ireland, I, something is much awry.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles:
the near in blood the nearer bloody.
They exit
END SCENE
9
 15-Minute Intermission

Set up for coronation scene

10
 SCENE 11

Coronation scene (Hail, Macbeth!)

The royal palace at Forres
MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS
BANQUO, LENNOX, MACDUFF, SETON

BANQUO He has it now, Glamis, Cawdor, King, all.

As the weird women promised. And I fear he played most foully for it.
MACBETH Banquo our chief guest. Tonight, we hold a solemn supper, sir,
And I’ll request your presence.
BANQUO Let your highness command upon me.
MACBETH I hear you ride out for pleasure with your son. Do not forget us.
BANQUO I will not.
MACBETH Is it far you ride?
BANQUO I will be gone until our feast tonight.
MACBETH Will your son Fleance go with you?
BANQUO Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH I wish your horses swift and sure of foot. Farewell.

BANQUO exits

MACBETH (to guests) Let every man be master of his time

Till we feast tonight; good fortune be with you!

All depart but MACBETH

SETON enters

Have those I asked for come?

SETON nods

Bring them to me.

SETON exits

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 To be King is nothing until the King is safe. The weird sisters prophesied
Banquo’s son will rule; no son of mine to succeed? Have I murdered
Duncan for Banquo’s sons? It shall not be.

SETON returns with TWO MEN and exits

MACBETH hands the man a bag of money

MURDERER 1 We shall, my lord,

Perform as you command us. [gestures slitting throat with line]

MURDERERS exit

MACBETH It is concluded: Banquo, thy soul’s flight,

Whether or not it flies to heaven, you will find out tonight.

END SCENE

SCENE 12

In a forest some way away from the palace

Three MURDERERS

MURDERER 2 I hear walking. It must be this Banquo.

MURDERER 1 Stand ready.

BANQUO and FLEANCE enter

BANQUO It will rain today.

MURDERER 1 Let it come down.

They set upon BANQUO

BANQUO O, treachery! Run, good Fleance, Run, Run, Run!

12
 BANQUO dies; FLEANCE escapes

MURDERER 1 Is the boy down as well?

MURDERER 2 The son has fled.
MURDERER 1 Macbeth said he must be killed!
MURDERER 2 I see a light, we must flee. Away!

END SCENE

ADD chairs for Banquet Scene

SCENE 13

The palace at Forres. A banquet prepared.

MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS,
LENNOX, MACDUFF, SETON

MACBETH We dine tonight gentlemen, but first we drink.

ALL Many thanks, your majesty.
LADY MACBETH Our Banquo is delayed.

MURDERER 1 enters. MACBETH sees him

MACBETH There’s blood upon thy face

MURDERER 1 ‘Tis Banquo’s then. His throat is cut.
MACBETH Did you do the same for his son?
MURDERER 1 The boy escaped.

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MACBETH Idiot! (turns back to table: raises his glass) Drink my friends.
Go, we’ll speak of this tomorrow.

MURDERER 1 exits

LADY MACBETH My royal lord, we await your toast.

MACBETH goes to the table and raises his glass

The GHOST OF BANQUO enters
MACBETH sees him

LENNOX My royal lord, you do not appear cheerful.

MACBETH Pointing at the ghost. Which of you have done this?
MACDUFF What my good lord?
MACBETH Thou cannot say I did it. Do not blame me. Away dark spirit.
LADY MACBETH Are you ill, husband?
ROSS Gentlemen, rise, his highness is not well.
LADY MACBETH Sit friends, this is a momentary illness. Eat.
He will be well again. (Aside) Are you mad?
This is like an old woman story at a winter’s fire. Shame on you.
MACBETH I see him. The grave sends us back those we bury;
the world runs mad.

THE GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

LADY MACBETH You amaze me.

MACBETH He was there. This is stranger than murder.
LADY MACBETH You frighten our friends, my lord.
MACBETH Our friends? Of course. Do not worry, sirs. It has passed. I’m well.
(Summoning courage) More wine, fill full.
(Raises his glass) I drink to our friend Banquo who we so miss.

They drink. THE GHOST OF BANQUO walks on stage

14
MACBETH Out horrible shadow, false mockery out! Out!

The GHOST exits

LENNOX (Rises) My king…

MACBETH (to LADY MACBETH) Did you not see it?
How can you bear such a sight?
LADY MACBETH (to MACDUFF) Do not speak to him, sir. Questions enrage him.
I must with you all good night.

All rise to leave

LENNOX Of course.
ROSS Good night, and better health. Attend his majesty!
LADY MACBETH A kind good night to all!

They exit. The MACBETHS are alone

MACBETH What we have started demands blood.

LADY MACBETH (Taking his arm) You must sleep my love.
MACBETH I am so steeped in blood that to kill is no more dangerous than to stop.
Tomorrow. I must visit the Weird Sisters:
More shall they speak, to help me learn what must be done.
LADY MACBETH (Guiding him off stage) Hush now. Hush. You must sleep.

END SCENE

15
 SCENE 14
The palace at Forres
ROSS

ROSS Duncan dead, Banquo dead, Malcolm and Donalbain fled.

Why did Macbeth kill Duncan’s sleeping servants? I like it not.
LENNOX (enters) Macduff is in England to raise an army to defeat Macbeth.
ROSS Send him a pledge of our support.
LENNOX It will be done.

END SCENE

SCENE 15

A cavern. In middle a fiery cauldron

Thunder
THREE WITCHES

Round about the cauldron go: In the poisoned entrails throw.

ALL Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
WITCH 2 By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.

MACBETH enters, they scatter

ALL Hail!
WITCH 1 Speak.
WITCH 2 Demand.
WITCH 3 We’ll answer.
MACBETH Tell me, what next must be done?
WITCH 1 Say if thou’dst rather hear it from our mouths, or from our masters.
MACBETH Call them, let me see ‘em!

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 Thunder, FIRST APPARITION: an armed head

1st APPARITION Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff,

Beware the thane of Fife. He comes for you.
Descends

Thunder, SECOND APPARITION: a bloody child

2nd APPARITION Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!

Be bloody, bold and resolute: for no man born of woman
shall harm Macbeth.
Descends

Thunder, THIRD APPARITION: a child crowned

with tree in his hand

3rd APPARITION Macbeth will never be vanquished until great Birnam Forest
climbs the castle hill to come against him.
Descends

MACBETH (laughs) That will never be. A forest cannot rise against me.

The WITCHES laugh and exit. He stands a moment then speaks.

Backdrop changes. MACBETH is back in his castle.
Enter LENNOX

MACBETH What news is there of Macduff.

LENNOX Sir, Macduff has fled to England.
MACBETH Fled to England!
LENNOX Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH From this moment my sword will follow my heart. I will surprise
Macduff’s castle in his absence. Kill his wife, his babes and all who
follow him, before my purpose cools.

17
 SCENE 16

England. Before the King’s palace

MALCOLM and MACDUFF

MACDUFF: How do you see the moment, Malcolm?

MALCOLM: Duncan and Banquo dead, ourselves pursued.
MADCUFF: What I can revenge, I will.
MALCOLM: How is it possible that this tyrant, Macbeth, whose name blisters our
tongue, was once thought honest?
MACDUFF: Our poor country.

Enter ROSS

MALCOLM: Who comes here?

ROSS: Ross.
MACDUFF: My ever-gentle cousin, welcome. What news of Scotland?
ROSS: Alas, poor country. Good men’s lives expire before the flowers in their caps.
It cannot be called our mother, but our grave.
MALCOLM: Soon our people will find comfort. England hath lent us an army of ten
thousand men.
ROSS: I wish I could follow your good news with better news. But I have words that
should only be howled out in the empty desert air.
MACDUFF: Speak it then.
ROSS: Your castle has been surprised; your wife and children savagely slaughtered.
MALCOLM: Merciful heaven!
MACDUFF: My children too?
ROSS: Wife, children, servants, all that could be found.
MACDUFF: My wife? My children? All my pretty ones in one fell swoop?
ROSS: Be comforted. We will make medicine of our revenge to cure this deadly grief.
Let thy grief convert to anger.
MACDUFF: Gentle heavens, bring this fiend of Scotland front to front with me.
Set him within my sword’s length. He shall not escape it.
MALCOLM: Our army is ready. Macbeth is ripe for the plucking. The night is long that
never finds the day.
END SCENE
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 SCENE 17

Macbeth’s castle at Dunsidane.

DOCTOR, MAIDSERVANT, LADY MACBETH

DOCTOR: When was it Lady Macbeth walked in her sleep?

MAIDSERVANT: Since the king departed with his army, I have seen her several
times put on her nightgown, take paper from her desk, write, read it
seal it and return to bed. She looks at her hands as if they hold
great mystery. I fear her mind is not well.
LADY MACBETH: Out, damned spot! (rubbing hands, smelling them).
Here’s the smell of the blood still: ----- all the perfumes of Arabia
will not sweeten this little hand. (holding her head)
Hell is darkness. Oh! oh! oh!. (faces other direction)
Wash your hands, // look not so pale: I tell you yet again,
Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out one’s grave.
Give me your hand: (reaches to hand that disappears)
What’s done cannot be undone. Who would have thought the old
man would have so much blood in him? (laugh / cries)
To bed, to bed, to bed.

END SCENE

SCENE 18

Countryside near Macbeth’s castle

at Dunsidane. Distant drumming
LENNOX, ROSS and ANGUS

LENNOX: The English troops, raised by Malcolm and Macduff, are close.
Revenge burns in them.
ROSS: We will join them at the edge of Birnam forest. How does Macbeth prepare?
ANGUS: His castle is strongly fortified. Many say he’s gone mad.
LENNOX: He feels the sting of secret murders.
ROSS: Ready the troops.

END SCENE

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 SCENE 19

Macbeth’s castle. Dunsidane

MACBETH and SETON
News has reached MACBETH of coming army
MACBETH is seated at his throne reading letter

MACBETH: Bring me no more reports; let them fly all: I cannot taint with fear.
What’s the boy Malcolm? Was he not born of woman?

(to SETON)

Come, put mine armor on; give me my sword.

I’m not afraid of death and bane
Till Birnam Wood come to Dunsinane.

END SCENE

SCENE 20

Near Birnam Wood. Drumming.

MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, MACDUFF,
ANGUS, LENNOX, ROSS and SOLDIERS

DONALBAIN: Now our forces are combined.

The day is near where our country will be safe for all.
MALCOLM: Our swords will see it done.
ROSS: What forest is this?
ANGUS: Birnam Forest, sir
MALCOLM: Let every soldier cut down branches and carry them.
It will obscure our numbers.
ANGUS: I’ll see it done, sir.

END SCENE

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 SCENE 21

Macbeth’s castle. Dunsidane

MACBETH and SETON
MACBETH is now in battle armor

A woman’s cry is heard

MACBETH: (calmly) What is that noise?

SETON exits

There was a time I would have been terrified

to hear such a shriek of the night. But now horror
is so familiar to my heart, it cannot startle me.

SETON returns

SETON: The queen, my lord, is dead.

SETON exits

MACBETH: She should have died hereater;

There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Enter MESSENGER. He appears anxious

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MACBETH: Speak quickly.
MESSENGER: I come sire, to report what I have seen, but know not how to do it.
MACBETH: Speak fool.
MESSENGER: As I stood my watch upon the hill, I looked toward Birnam Forest,
the wood began to move.
MACBETH: Liar and slave!
MESSENGER: Kill me if it is not so. Three miles away, it is coming; a moving forest.
MACBETH: I begin to weary of the sun and wish the world were done.
Ring the alarms! Blow, wind! Come, ruin!
At least we will die with armor on our back.

END SCENE

SCENE 22

Macbeth’s castle. Dunsidane

MACBETH, finishing off a soldier.

MACBETH: All born of woman. These swords I smile at.

Enter MACDUFF

MADCUFF: Turn hell-hound, turn!

MACBETH: Of all men else, I have avoided thee:
Go back, I have shed enough of your family blood already.
MACDUFF: Though bloodier villain
Than words can ever say!
My voice is my sword.

(They fight and MACBETH appears to be winning)

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MACBETH: You waste your strength. I bear a charmed life
which will not yield to one of woman born.
MACDUFF: Despair thy charm,
Macduff was from his mother’s womb
untimely ripped.
Surrender, coward so we may end this tyranny.
MACBETH: Lay on Macduff, I will never surrender
and damned be him that first cries mercy.

MACDUFF defeats MACBETH

Enter MALCOLM and ROSS

MACDUFF: (to MALCOLM) Hail Malcolm, first born of Duncan.

Hail, king! for so though art.
Behold where stands the usurper’s cursed head.
Hail, king of Scotland!
ALL: Hail, king of Scotland!

MALCOLM: We must call home all of our exiled friends who fled
from the grip of Macbeth’s tyranny, and we must
bring to justice all the evil ministers of this dead butcher
and his demon-like queen, who, rumor has it, committed suicide.
This, and whatever else we are called to do, we will do.
So, I thank you all, and I invite each and every one of you
to come watch me be crowned king of Scotland at Scone.

Trumpets play. They embrace one another.

End of play

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 MACBETH PROPS LIST

Scene 1 Video

Scene 2 Table, Map, Rocks to hold map, Swords for each character (5)

Scene 3 Black fabric or robe for witch, Letter Ross gives to Macbeth, 2 swords

Scene 4 Throne, Swords for each character (7)

Scene 5 Letter for Lady Macbeth, Sword for Macbeth

Scene 6 Swords for King and soldiers (6)

Scene 7 Dagger for Macbeth

Scene 8 Cup for Macbeth

Scene 9 Goblet for Lady Macbeth, bloody dagger for Macbeth, red paint for hands

Scene 10 Swords for soldiers (7)

Scene 11 6 chairs (2 thrones in middle), bag of coins

Scene 12 1 knife, 1 sword

Scene 13 5 wine glasses, 1 wine pourer, swords for all soldiers (4), ghost costume and paint

Scene 14 2 swords

Scene 15 Cauldron for witches, Smoke machine

Scene 16 Swords for soldiers (3)

Scene 17 Letter for Lady Macbeth, his armor, his sword

Scene 18 Swords for soldiers (3)

Scene 19 Throne, Letter for Macbeth

Scene 20 Swords for soldiers (8), Branch with leaves

Scene 21 Throne, Sword, Wine goblet

Scene 22 Swords for all soldiers, 1 axe, 1 battle axe for Macduff, Blood makeup
 Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
- Macbeth

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