SYNOPSIS
MACBETH IS SET DURING A WAR between Scotland and Norway. At the start of the play the cries of the battle can be heard, but it is not soldiers that we are met with first, rather the ominous figures of three witches over a cauldron. The witches are awaiting the arrival of Scottish solider, Macbeth.
They are hurried off stage by the arrival of Scottish King Duncan accompanied by his son and advisors. The group is soon brought news that the brave Macbeth has fought with honor and just won a battle in the King’s name. Another messenger soon arrives and tells King Duncan that the Thane of Cawdor has just committed treason and sided with Norway in the war. Having just heard of Macbeth’s valor and infuriated with the present Thane of Cawdor, King Duncan strips the current thane of his title and sends a messenger to appoint Macbeth as the new Thane of Cawdor.
The witches reappear and continue their preparation for Macbeth who enters the scene with Banquo. They have just won their battle and are unaware of anything that has happened with the King. The witches greet the soldiers and give them this prophecy: Macbeth shall become Thane of Cawdor, then be crowned King of Scotland. The women also tell Banquo that his children shall become kings, though he will not. The witches vanish and the soldiers continue on their journey, putting no stock in what they have just been told. They are soon met by a messenger who tells them that Macbeth has just been appointed Thane of Cawdor and must come and greet the King to receive his thanks. Macbeth and Banquo are slightly stunned by the news, now questioning the validity of the strange creatures they encountered earlier. As they begin their journey to King Duncan, Banquo warns Macbeth that sometimes evil tempts with a bit of truth.
King Duncan greets Macbeth and Banquo with an abundance of thanks and gratitude. To show his appreciation, Macbeth invites the King to dine at Macbeth’s castle the following evening. The King agrees and all make their journey to Macbeth’s home. Macbeth writes ahead to his wife, explaining his new appointment, the King’s arrival, and the prophecy. Lady Macbeth, overjoyed at the idea of being queen, plans that Macbeth will murder Duncan at their home the night he comes to dine. Despite ominous visions and his own conscience, Macbeth gives in to his wife’s persistence as well as his own greed and murders King Duncan. When the body is discovered, Macbeth kills two other men blaming them for the King’s death. Afraid for their lives, Duncan’s two sons flee the country, leaving Scotland without a successor.
Macbeth is crowned king, against the wishes of Macduff, a nobleman loyal to the sons of Duncan. Macbeth now holds the honor of King, but fears Banquo’s son. Macbeth hires murderers to have both Banquo and his son killed. The murderers succeed in killing Banquo, but his son escapes. That evening, Macbeth holds a feast to celebrate his new title. During the feast he is visited by Banquo’s ghost and raves fearfully. Lady Macbeth tries to calm his nerves and preserve their image, not wanting the new King to appear mad to his subjects. Her words do little to comfort him and soon Macbeth revisits the witches. Macbeth is overcome by ghosts and spirits, and soon given another prophesy. The witches warn him to fear Macduff. Still fearful he begs them for more guidance. The prophesy continues that Macbeth cannot be killed by man born of woman and that he will not die until Great Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Finally Macbeth is relieved, he reasons all men are born of women and that no one can move an entire forest.
When Macbeth returns home he orders that Macduff’s home be seized, hoping to kill MacDuff. MacDuff, however, has left his home in order to assist Prince Malcolm in England. Lady MacDuff, is left at home unaware of her husband’s whereabouts. She explains to her son that she fears his father might be a traitor. Suddenly their home is laid siege and Lady MacDuff and her child are slain. Infuriated by his family’s murder, MacDuff leads the British army to overthrow Macbeth and reclaim the throne for Prince Malcolm.
As Macbeth prepares for the battle, Lady Macbeth roams the halls of the castle, driven mad by the guilt of the horrible deeds she and her husband of committed. The guilt becomes too much to bear and she kills herself. Word of the army’s approach comes to Macbeth. Not only are the English coming, but they march with boughs from Great Birnam Wood -- the woods are moving onto Dunsinane Hill. The castle is overcome leading to a final battle between Macbeth and Macduff. While he fights Macbeth, Macduff explains that he was not born of woman, but untimely ripped from his mother’s womb. Macbeth is then slaughtered and Prince Malcolm reclaims the thrown.
IN THE CLASSROOM
• Macbeth 1969 is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s original Macbeth and set in a different time and circumstance. This time you be the director and think of your own concept for Macbeth.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Macbeth is a prominent attorney at a law firm and is appointed to the Board of the firm. Duncan is the Executive Director of the Board. The “witches” are members of a mob that offer Macbeth money to kill Duncan and take over the firm.
• Can you think of other stories with the same plot as the play Macbeth?
FOR EXAMPLE: The Lion King