Macbeth

Roles

• Macbeth
• Lady
• Macbeth

About this piece

Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to go ahead with his plan to kill the king of Scotland

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. Macbeth goes back to his castle in Inverness and tells his wife what happened. Lady Macbeth encourages him to do anything in his power to become king, even if it means killing King Duncan. Duncan will shortly be visiting their castle. In this scene Macbeth at first ponders on whether he should kill King Duncan or not. He decides not to follow up with his wife's plan and Lady Macbeth becomes outraged. She calls him a coward. Macbeth explains that is afraid the plan might fail but Lady Macbeth tells him her plan. They will get the king's chamberlains drunk, then Macbeth will kill Duncan while he sleeps. After that they will smear the king's blood on the chamberlains and accuse them of the deed. Lady Macbeth tells him if they go ahead with the plan with resoluteness they will not fail. Macbeth accepts to go ahead with the plan.

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