Macbeth

Roles

• Lady Macbeth - Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50), Female

About this piece

Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband

Summary

Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo defeat two opposing armies in battle, an Irish and a Norwegian army. Learning about Macbeth's valor in the battle, the king of Scotland, King Duncan, decides to reward him by giving him the title of the Thane of Cawdor, a title that he takes away from the previous thane who betrayed the Scots by fighting for the Norwegians. On their way back to their base, Macbeth and Banquo run into three witches that prophecise that Macbeth one day will be king and Banquo's descendants will be kings. They also call Macbeth "Thane of Cawdor" which surprises him since he still doesn't know about the king's decision. He is even more surprised when, arriving at the base camp, learns that the king has just given him the title of the Thane of Cawdor, thus wondering if he will really become king one day. In this scene, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband where he tells her about the witches and the prophecy. She wants him to become king but she is afraid that her husband is "too full o' the milk of human kindness" and sets to guide and inspire him to seize the throne.

Tone

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