Scene 1
Duncan is dead and Macbeth is now king. The only person he fear is Banquo who might suspect him for murder. Banquo rides off that night to only return for supper. He takes his son. Macbeth makes sure he is alone before inviting in two murderers who he tells that Banquo is responsible for all of their misgivings. He says that he will give them all that they want if they kill Banquo for him. Nobody is allowed to know of Macbeth’s involvement. He also wants Fleance dead, Banquos son. This is an attempt to contradict the prophecy. It could also result in Macbeth being found out and his involvement at all could be his undoing.
Scene 2
Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth (now the king) to talk. Before he arrives, she tells the audience that she is doubtful that what they have done is not that beneficial, the same fears that Macbeth has been having. Except, when Macbeth gets there she tells him to stop worrying and get himself together. Although they wont admit it, they are finally on the same page. Macbeth tells her that their worries will be over tonight as he has a plan to get rid of Banquo, but he doesn’t tell her what the plan is.
Scene 3
Here we see Macbeth’s plan in motion, all the murderers waiting along a path. There is a third murderer who has been hired by Macbeth. They discuss this for a bit before deciding that it doesn’t matter and that they should get on with it. Banquo and his son make their way down the path, getting off the horses so they can walk. The murderers greet them and they don’t suspect anything, greeting them back. The murderers then advance and kill Banquo but Fleance manages to escape. This is bad as they were supposed to get rid of both. This could also mean that the Witches prediction could still happen. It could mean that Macbeth’s involvement is the whole reason that Fleance could be king. The Witches knew the future and set Macbeth along that path by telling him the future. In choosing to act upon it, Macbeth fixed his own fate.
Scene 4
MACBETH
You know your own ranks; so you know where to sit; Sit down
And I bid you a hearty welcome.
Lords
Thanks, your majesty.
MACBETH
We will mingle with everyone,
And I will play the humble host.
Our hostess will stay seated, but soon
She will welcome you all.
LADY MACBETH
Sir, welcome our friends warmly please
First Murderer appears at the door
MACBETH
See, they encounter them with their hearts’ thanks.
The table is full on both sides, I will sit in the middle
Be happy and soon we will toast around the table
Approaching the door
You have blood on your face.
First Murderer
It’s Banqous.
MACBETH
Better to have his blood on your face than for Banquo to have it in his veins.
Is he dead?
First Murderer
My Lord, I cut his throat.
MACBETH
You are the best at cutting throats yet he’s good
Who cut the throat of Fleance if you didn’t
But if you did you are the best
First Murderer
Most royal sir,
Fleance escaped.
MACBETH
Then Once again I get angry. If Fleance was dead my problems would be over.
I would be happy again with no worries.
Instead I am still full of worry and trapped by my own mind.
But Banquo’s body is safe and hidden?
First Murderer
Ay, my good lord; he is dead in a ditch
With heaps of cuts on his head
Although just one would have easily killed him.
MACBETH
Thanks for that:
While Banquo is dead, his son still lives.
But in time, his son will grow up to be just as dangerous.
Now go away, we will talk tomorrow.
Exit Murderer
LADY MACBETH
My royal lord,
We need to make this a fun dinner party,
Why would you invite people over if they are not entertained.
They might as well eat at home
MACBETH
Sweet remembrancer!
Now, good digestion wait on appetite,
And health on both!
LENNOX
Take a seat, your highness.
The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH’s place
MACBETH
We would have had all our nobility under one roof if Banquo were here
I hope that he is late because of rudeness and not that anything bad has happened to him.
ROSS
He’s absence, sir, lays blame on his promise. Please sit your highness grace us with your royal company
MACBETH
The table’s full.
LENNOX
There is an empty seat right here sir….
MACBETH
Where?
LENNOX
Right here, Macbeth. Why aren’t you sitting??
MACBETH
Which of you have done this?
Lords
Done What, my good lord?
MACBETH
You can’t say I did it: don’t shake your bloody head at me
ROSS
Gentlemen, stand his highness is not well
LADY MACBETH
Sit worthy friends, my lord is often like this, he has been since he was young, please stay seated. It will pass in a moment, he will be well again. He will be offended if you pay too much attention and it will last longer. Don’t acknowledge it and continue with your meal. Be strong
MACBETH
Yes, and a brave one, who dares look at something
That would horrify the devil.
LADY MACBETH
Oh it is not real, you make things up when you’re afraid, like you did with the dagger in the air. Your fear doesn’t even look real, it seems as you are being told a scary story at a winter fire. It is shameful to make such faces when the vision is done, you’ll see it is just a seat.
MACBETH
There, you see it!
Do you?
Ah, what do I care! If the bodies we bury can just come back, then our graves will just be the mouths of the birds that eat them.
GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes
LADY MACBETH
Has your foolishness stopped you from thinking all together?
MACBETH
I saw him, as solidly as I stand here.
LADY MACBETH
shameful
MACBETH
Blood has been shed here now, in the olden time,
Yes, and since murders have been committed
To terrible to hear the times have been,
It used to be that when the brains were bashed out
They would die and that would be it.
But now they rise again, with twenty fatal head wounds
And try again to kill us.
That, when the brains were out, the man would die,
And would stay dead, but now they just rise up again.
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,
And push us from our stools: this is even more strange
Than murder.
LADY MACBETH
My worthy lord,
Your noble friends are missing you.
MACBETH
I forgot about them.
Don’t be alarmed by me, my most worthy friends,
I have a strange disorder, which no longer
Shocks those that know me well.
Come let’s drink a toast: love and health to all;
Now I’ll sit down. Give me some wine; fill my cup.
I drink to the general joy of the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, who we miss;
I wish he was here! To all, and him, we drink,
Now everybody drink.
Lords
We know are duties, and we pledge allegiance
Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO
MACBETH
Go away!. You are not alive, stop staring at me from your dead eyes.
LADY MACBETH
Think of this as just a bad habit, there is nothing else to it.
It is only a shame it is spoiling our dinner party
MACBETH
My nerves would never tremble from any mortal danger,
Bears, wolves, weapons, tigers, -anything!
But even with my sword, I am like a frightened baby girl before this strange thing!
GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes
Phew, it’s gone!
I am a man again. Everythings ok now…..
LADY MACBETH
You have ruined a good dinner, with the most disorder
MACBETH
Was it real?
Can they make the bravest scared?
You are very strange…
How can you see that thing,
And not tremble in fear!
I am filled with it…
ROSS
What “things”?
LADY MACBETH
I pray to you, don’t ask, he only gets worse, being asked will not have a positive effect. Do not worry about leaving in order of status, instead leave all at once.
.
LENNOX
Good night; I hope King Macbeth gets better….
LADY MACBETH
And good night to you all!
Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH
MACBETH
I will be found out,
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;
And people, by many ways,
have found out the most secret parts of others….
What is the time?
LADY MACBETH
It is almost morning, but you can’t tell which is which
MACBETH
Have you realised- we did invite him- but Macduff has not come to this party….
LADY MACBETH
Did you ask him again?
MACBETH
I did notice he did not come, and I will ask him again…..
He’s being very rude!
I’ll get him tomorrow.
I will also meet again with the witches,
They will prophesy more, I need to know more!
No matter what, they will speak! I’ll do anything for my Kingship.
Now I’ve gone too far, that even if I returned to honour and owned up,
I would never be free again. I may as well continue on this dark path now,
It will be easier to continue than to own up.
My strange thoughts, they are becoming reality, it will turn me evil!;
I must act quickly before I’m accused.
LADY MACBETH
You will be fine tomorrow, once you get some sleep.
MACBETH
Yeah, lets go to bed…..My weird mood….
It’s caused by my fear, it’s making me evil and nervous!!!
There is worse to come, I’m scared!!