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Macbeth and Banquo , two Scottish generals living under the reign of King Duncan , were returning home across the bleak heath. They had just bravely defeated an army of rebels much to the delight of the king, who was Macbeth’s cousin.
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Macbeth and Banquo, two Scottish generals living under the reign of King Duncan, were returning home across the bleak heath. They had just bravely defeated an army of rebels much to the delight of the king, who was Macbeth’s cousin.
Suddenly as they walked over the moor three witches appeared and greeted Macbeth as Thane (Lord) of Glamis, which he was. The second witch called him Thane of Cawdor, which he was not. The third called him King of Scotland. A title held by Duncan
Just before the witches disappear they turn to Banquo and tell him that he will never be King but he would father Kings. The two generals were stunned but when they reached the palace they heard the news that Macbeth had been made Thane of Cawdor. (Like the prophecy)
Macbeth told his wife, Lady Macbeth of the prophecy and she liked the idea of Macbeth being King. She was worried because King Duncan had said his son would be King so she set about persuading Macbeth to kill the King.
Eventually she persuaded him to do the deed. Although he wasn’t sure about it. To help him Lady Macbeth drugged King Duncan’s guards,
Macbeth set of to kill the King but his conscience played tricks with him and a phantom dagger appeared before him. Eventually his wife persuaded him so he took the drugged guards daggers and killed Duncan.
When the guards daggers were found they got the blame for the murder, however many people suspected the Macbeths. The kings two sons , Malcolm (remember him he’s important later) and Donalbain were worried that they would be next for the chop so ran away to England.
Macbeth, as the next in line to the throne became King. He then remembered that the witches had not only said he would be King but that Banquo’s children would become King not his own. This worried him, so he plotted to kill Banquo and his son. He hired killers and threw a party for all the local lords. When Banquo was on his way to the party the hired killers did their job, so Banquo was slain but his son Fleance escaped.
The killers told Macbeth That they had killed Banquo but his son had escaped. Macbeth became worried and started to have nightmares. One night the ghost of Banquo visited Macbeth. This terrified him.
Soon after Macbeth became worried about losing the throne. He was driven by worry to seek out the witches on the heath. He found them in a cave chanting round a cauldron. From the smoke of the cauldron three visions appeared.
The first, dressed as a soldier, warned him to beware of Macduff (The Thane of Fife)
The second, a child covered in blood, told him no man born of a woman could harm him. The third was another child holding a crown and tree branch. He said that Macbeth would remain King until Birnam wood came to his castle.
Macbeth asked the witches if Banquo’s sons would become King. The cauldron then sank into the ground and Banquo appeared followed by generations of his family, all were Kings.
Macbeth was now very worried and frightened. When he heard that the Lord Macduff had joined forces with one of his enemies, Prince Malcolm, he ordered that Macduffs wife and children were killed. This didn’t make Macbeth popular. To make things worse his wife who was still guilty about the murder of King Duncan had killed herself. Macbeth was now totally alone.
Macbeth’s problems had only just begun. Prince Malcolm had gathered his men in Birnam wood. He cunningly disguised them in tree branches and began to attack Macbeth’s castle. From the walls it appeared as if the whole of Birnam would was coming to the castle. Just as the witches has said.
Macbeth still thought himself unbeatable and so went to battle. In the middle of the battle field he met Macduff. During their fight Macbeth said he couldn't be killed by any man born of a woman. Macduff laughed saying he’d not be born in the ordinary way but by caesarean. Macbeth knew his time was up.
Macduff killed Macbeth, and Prince Malcolm was returned to his father’s throne as the rightful heir, Macbeth ‘s evil rule over Scotland came to an end.
