MACBETH

By William Shakespeare
To be performed by 8- (New Horizons Bilingual School)
Cast
Narrator: Adam
Scene Director: Mara, Liz, and Alexander
Gathering actors for next scene while one is playing: Mara, Liz, and Alexander
Background, props and costumes: Evelyn
Stagehands: Destiny, Liani (have to design playbill and Save the date). Example:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFdejxRuP4/fipKy2ywd4KqJubzYGMhEQ/edit and
https://www.canva.com/design/DAF-v5VEaaE/U8GMmRjk5iR1bJq4NjaWqQ/edit?utm_content=DAF-
v5VEaaE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
Music/slides: Rafael and Alejandra
Macbeth = Xavier
Lady Macbeth =Isabella
King Duncan = Sebastian
Malcolm =Roberto
Donalbain =
Banquo = Jeriel
Fleance = Erick
Macduff =Jose
Lady Macduff: Liani
Children of Lady Macduff: Evelyn and Meredith
Lennox = Rafael
Ross= Pablo
A Doctor = Liani
A Servant to Lady Macbeth= Liani
Soldiers = and anyone else who is not acting at the moment.
Hecate (Goddess of the witches = Evelyn
The three witches= Alejandra, Leah and Claudia
Assassin 1 = Destiny
Assassin 2 = Sofia
SCENE I Outdoors, dark, foggy and eerie.

NARRATOR This is the story of Macbeth, a story of ambition, power and murder. It is the
story of a man who is power-hungry and would stop at nothing to become king. It is a dark
and bloody story ... that starts on a wild Scottish heathland where three witches plot and spin
their spells…

Curtains close and open again

PLAY TRACK 1 loud

[ENTER WITCHES]

FIRST WITCH: When shall we three meet again? In

thunder, lightning, or rain?

SECOND WITCH: When the war is done, When

the battle's lost and won.

THIRD WITCH: That will be before the set of sun.

FIRST WITCH: Where is the place?

SECOND WITCH: Upon the heath.

THIRD WITCH: There to meet with Macbeth.

ALL WITCHES: Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Hover through the fog and filthy air.

[EXIT WITCHES making some witch noises]

Curtains close
SCENE II Curtains open

Duncan's Castle

Narrator: The news of Macbeth’s victory over the rebels soon reaches the king who, as a
sign of appreciation for Macbeth’s bravery, sends a messenger to appoint Macbeth “thane
of Cawdor,” a higher rank that belonged to one of the rebels. Macbeth’s current title is
“thane of Glamis”

ENTER DUNCAN, MACDUFF, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, and LENNOX, who is bleeding and
weak.

DUNCAN: What bloody man is that?

MALCOLM:
This is the sergeant
Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought
Against my captivity. Hail, brave friend!

LENOX:
All were too weak for brave Macbeth - well, he deserves that name.
He and Banquo faced the villain, the traitor and his army.
never did he stop at anything until he had fully defeated the villain army in your honor, my lord.

DUNCAN:
Oh valiant cousin, worthy gentlemen!
So well your words as your wounds,
They smack of honor both. Go, get him a doctor.

EXIT ALL

Curtains close
SCENE III On the heath Curtains open

[ENTER MACBETH and BANQUO, looking happy that they have won the battle.]

Narrator: Macbeth and Banquo are super happy that they have won the battle. However,
they can feel that something in the air is not right, like something evil, which they will soon
find out.

MACBETH:
Such a strange day I have not seen.
It feels good because we won the battle,
but the day feels so weird as if something evil was in the air.

[ENTER WITCHES making some witch noises]

PLAY TRACK 1 loud

BANQUO:
Speaking of evil, Macbeth. Look!
[Looking frightened and attempting to draw his sword]

What are these weird and evil-looking creatures?

That look not like humans of the earth and yet they are on it?

FIRST WITCH:
All hail Macbeth, Thane of Glamis!

SECOND WITCH:
All hail Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor!

THIRD WITCH: All hail Macbeth, who will one day be king!

BANQUO [to Macbeth]

Why fear what sounds so good?

[to the witches]

If you can look into the future.

And say what will happen and what will not, Then
speak to me and tell me what my future will be.

ALL WITCHES: Hail!

FIRST WITCH: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

SECOND WITCH: Not so happy, yet much happier.

THIRD WITCH: You will be the father of kings, though you will be none.
 ALL WITCHES: So hail Macbeth and Banquo!

[WITCHES Vanish out of the scene]

Narrator: Macbeth and Banquo are now joking about the witches’ prophecies but they will
soon find out that there was some truth in them as a messenger comes to tell Macbeth of his
promotion.

MACBETH:
Your children shall be kings!

BANQUO:
YOU shall be king!

MACBETH:
And then of Cawdor too, did it not so?

[ENTER ROSS and LENNOX]

ROSS: Hail, Thane of Cawdor! Congratulations on your new promotion. The king is very proud and
happy because of your victory in his name.

MACBETH:
Why do you dress me in borrowed robes? The Thane of Cawdor lives!

LENNOX:
Not for long, my lord. He has betrayed the king and is condemned
to die. His land and title come from Duncan's hand to you,
In gratitude for your great deeds in battle.

ROSS: Now, my honorable Macbeth and Banquo. Lennox and I have to go. Farewell!

[EXIT ROSS and LENNOX]

BANQUO [warning Macbeth]

Be not too eager. Remember, the powers of darkness
May use a bit of truth to lure a man to doom.

MACBETH:
Come what may.
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
Let us toward the king!

[EXIT ALL]

Narrator: On his way back, Macbeth wrote to his wife, Lady Macbeth, to tell her about the
witches’ prophecies.

Curtains close
SCENE IV Macbeth's Castle Curtains open

[ENTER LADY MACBETH, reading a letter]

Narrator: Meet Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife. She is very driven and incredibly
ambitious. When she reads the letter of Macbeth’s promotion, she is both surprised and
excited. And fearful...that Macbeth will be unwilling to kill the present King Duncan to make the prophecy
come true (because that’s obviously the only way that he can become King).
She comes up with a plan to make her husband kill the king.

LADY MACBETH:
Yet I do fear your nature, my husband.
It is too full of the milk of human kindness
To claim your rightful place as king. I shall convince you to act.

[ENTER MACBETH]

MACBETH:
My dearest love. Duncan comes here tonight.

LADY MACBETH:
Tonight! And when does he leave?

MACBETH:
Tomorrow.

[LADY MACBETH thinks for a moment and looks as if she has a plan.]

LADY MACBETH:
Never shall tomorrow come, my lord.
Your face is like a book where I may read strange matters.
Let no one else see. Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it. Leave all the rest to me.

EXIT MACBETH

LADY MACBETH [to a servant]

Prepare a banquet. We will be receiving the king tomorrow.

[EXIT LADY MACBETH as servants bustle through preparing for the feast.]

Curtains close slowly

SCENE V Macbeth's Castle Curtains open

Narrator: It is now the day of the feast, King Duncan arrives with his sons and other
generals.

ENTER LADY MACBETH followed by DUNCAN, his sons and other generals. Lady Macbeth greets the
king.

DUNCAN:
Fair and noble hostess, we are your guests tonight.
Give me your hand. Conduct me to meet the host; we love him highly
And shall continue our graces toward him.
By your leave, hostess.

EXIT ALL
Curtains close slowly as they are exiting the room

Curtains open

Narrator: During the feast, Macbeth and his wife retire to a separate room to further discuss
killing the king that night.

[ENTER MACBETH from stage left]

[ENTER LADY MACBETH from stage right]

Narrator: Macbeth is not convinced to kill the king, but his wife will stop at nothing until he
does it, and she knows exactly how to get him to do it… by hurting his ego.

MACBETH: We can’t do that, my dear.

The king is here in double trust:
First, I am one of his most loyal generals,
lSecond, I am his host.
I should shut the door against his murderer,
Not bear the knife myself.

-We will proceed no further in this business!

LADY MACBETH:
Would you live cowardly in your own esteem,
Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would”?
Are you not man enough to do what it takes?

MACBETH:
I am brave enough to do anything that a man has to perform.
However, killing the king would not make me more of a man, but a monster.
LADY MACBETH [angrily]:
What made you bring this idea to me then?
When you did, THEN you were a man.

MACBETH:
And if we should fail?

LADY MACBETH:
Fail? Are you afraid to claim your greatness?
Where is your courage now, oh great Macbeth? [making fun of him]

MACBETH [agreeing to do it]:

We are settled upon this terrible deed.
Let us now go back to the feast and act as if nothing is happening.
False face must hide what the false heart knows.

EXIT Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in different directions

Curtains close slowly as they are exiting the room

SCENE VI Outside Macbeth's Castle Curtains open

Narrator: It is now late at night. The king and almost everyone else is already sleeping.

ENTER BANQUO and FLEANCE

BANQUO: How goes the night, my son?

FLEANCE: So far so good. The moon is down; I have not heard the bell.

BANQUO: And the bell rings at twelve.

FLEANCE: I take it, it's late, sir.

[ENTER MACBETH and SERVANT, with a torch]

BANQUO: Who's there?

MACBETH: A friend.

BANQUO: What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's in bed.

I dreamed last night of the three weird sisters. To you they have shown some truth.

EXIT BANQUO, SERVANT, and FLEANCE

Narrator: Now that he is alone, Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger that is pointing towards
the room where Duncan is sleeping. He interprets it as a sign that he is doing the right thing.

MACBETH:
Is this a dagger I see before me, the handle toward my hand?
Come, let me take you.
I have you not, and yet I see you still.

[The bell sounds indicating it is midnight] PLAY TRACK 2 loud bell sound (3 times)
MACBETH:
I go and it is done. The bell invites me.
Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a melody that
summons you to heaven, or to hell.

[EXIT MACBETH walking towards Duncan’s bed]

Curtains close
SCENE VII Killing of Duncan Curtains open

Narrator: Macbeth enters the room where Duncan sleeps but first kills the drunk guards so
they can’t do anything. He proceeds to kill Duncan. After he kills Duncan, Macbeth hides in
a corner as Donalbain approaches, sleepwalking. However, the darkness prevents him from
seeing Duncan and the guards lying on the ground, blood sticking to his shoes.

All lights go out to increase suspense

Curtains half opened [in another room of the house]
ENTER MACBETH to LADY MACBETH. Macbeth carries the bloody daggers.

LADY MACBETH: Tell me that you killed the king and his guards.

MACBETH: I am afraid I did it. Oh, what a monster I have become! Oh, I am so ashamed of myself.

LADY MACBETH [Noticing the bloody daggers]:

Wait, why did you bring these with you, Brains? You had to leave them by the guards so they could be
blamed! That’s how it works.

MACBETH: I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think about what I have done.

LADY MACBETH: Oh, you weak man! Give me the daggers! I will go do it myself. Get some water and
wash those guilty hands.

MACBETH: Worry not, my dear wife; I saw Donalbain sleepwalking and watched as he foolishly stepped
onto the crime scene and got his shoes marked with blood. We will blame him for the death of his father.
Once proven guilty, death will be imminent for him and we will get to be king and queen.

LADY MACBETH: I see—finally stepping up to be a man. It was about time.

Curtains half opened [in another room of the house]

Narrator: Lady Macbeth takes the daggers. If the servants don’t have their daggers, they can’t be blamed
for the king’s death. She plants the daggers back at the crime scene, smearing the drugged guards with the
king's blood. Now that Macbeth has killed the king, he and his wife can go to sleep. Sweet dreams.

Curtains close
SCENE VIII Macbeth’s castle Curtains open

Narrator: It is early in the morning when Macbeth hears some knocking at the door and goes
to answer it.

[Knocking Knocking]

ENTER MACDUFF and LENNOX

MACDUFF:
Good morning, sir. The king did command me to call on him timely. I have almost slipped an hour.

MACBETH: I will bring you to him. This is the door.

EXIT MACDUFF in the direction of the king’s bed.

LENNOX: The night has been weird. Chimneys were blown down
And strange screams of death seemed to fill the air. [says it almost like whispering and conspiring]
Almost… surreal

MACBETH: Yeah, that was a rough night.

NARRATOR: And when he goes to wake the king, he finds his dead body.

RE-ENTER MACDUFF

MACDUFF: Oh horror, horror, horror! Confusion now has made its masterpiece!
Ring the alarm bell! Wake everyone! Murder and treason!

NARRATOR: This wakes up everyone in the castle and they rush to the crime scene.

[ENTER MALCOLM and DONALBAIN, LADY MACBETH, and BANQUO]

DONALBAIN: What happened?

MACDUFF: Your royal father is murdered.

MALCOLM: By whom?

MACDUFF: It seems the very men who were in charge of protecting him.

LADY MACDUFF: Those in his chamber, it seems, have done it.

Their hands and faces were all badged with blood.
 MACBETH: Oh, I do repent of my fury That I did kill them.
Who could be loyal to the king and neutral, in a moment?

LADY MACBETH: (thinking that they will get discovered, she pretends to faint to get the attention) Oh,
help me, dear!

MACDUFF: Look at the lady.

[Macbeth holds her and takes her out of the scene but reenters right away]

MACBETH: Whoever did this must have a markage of blood on their shoes; check EVERYONE here! No
one is to leave this place until the murderer of my great king is found and arrested.

(Everybody looks confused, checking around each other. Donalbain’s shoes are stained with blood. He looks
confused.)

MACBETH: OH YOU! YOU FILTHY ANIMAL, I KNEW IT SINCE THE MOMENT WE WERE IN
THE BATTLEFIELD, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS OFF ABOUT YOU. You seemed like the person who
would do anything for power.

(Everybody points at Donalbain.)

DONALBAIN: I didn't do it! I swear. I didn't do it! I swear!

MACBETH: In the most tense moments, only MURDERERS swear. Take him away!

(MALCOLM and LENNOX carry him away to a jail cell by his arms, dragging him.)

DONALBAIN: I DIDN'T DO IT!

EXIT Everyone, except Malcolm.

MALCOLM: (soliloquy) To think my own brother betrayed my father like this. It makes no sense! I must
interview him in his last days to live. I am going to find out the truth about this. Macbeth seemed very
suspicious and too quick to accuse my brother.

SCENE ENDS

SCENE VIX In jail Curtains open

(MALCOLM approaches Donalbain, who is sitting on the floor in ripped clothes.)

MALCOLM: Donalbain, explain yourself. Was it you who did this?

DONALBAIN: I swear, brother. I swear I didn't do it! Why would I do THAT to our own father? Oh maybe
I was simply sleepwalking by the crime scene when the blood of the killing reached my foot. I swear it was
Macbeth.It is all so convenient for him… kill our father, send his heirs to prison or kill them, and take the
throne himself. Open your eyes, brother. We are not safe here.
MALCOLM: You’re right. We cannot trust that monster! We must leave this place immediately. If we stay,
he will come for us next. Let me free you (he frees his brother)

DONALBAIN: I agree. We have to flee this place to ensure our safety.

MALCOLM: Let’s gather what we can and leave under the cover of darkness.

NARRATOR: After their conversation, the brothers prepare to flee, knowing that Macbeth’s ambition poses
a deadly threat to their lives and their claim to the throne.

MALCOLM:
We are not safe here. What will you do? I'll go to England.

DONALBAIN: To Ireland, I; our separate ways shall keep us both safer:

where we are, there's daggers in men's smiles: the
nearer we are, the more dangerous it is for us.

MALCOLM: And let us not tell anyone that we are leaving.

EXIT MALCOLM and DONALBAIN

SCENE ENDS

SCENE X Macbeth’s castle Curtains open

Narrator: Now that king Duncan is dead and his sons have fled, Macbeth becomes king.
However, Macbeth is not so happy now. Instead, he is very paranoid and he thinks everyone,
especially Banquo, is plotting to take his crown.

[ENTER BANQUO]

BANQUO: (soliloquy) You have it now, Macbeth: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, just as the witches
promised, but, I fear, you had something to do in all this. [ENTER MACBETH]

MACBETH: My trusted friend Banquo. Tonight we hold a solemn feast for my coronation, sir. And I'll
request your presence there.

BANQUO: As you command me, your highness. I will be there.

MACBETH: Fail not our feast. I want to see my close friend here.

BANQUO: My lord, I will not.

[EXIT BANQUO]

Narrator: Macbeth is now paranoid and thinks Banquo may kill him so that his children can
become king as the witches promised. He is afraid anyone around him, especially Banquo,
could take his power from him.

MACBETH: (soliloquy) To be King is nothing;

My fears in Banquo are very real.
He is brave and a natural King.
I have no son of mine to succeed me.
Then, I have done all this for Banquo?
For Banquo's gain have I filed my mind?
For him the gracious Duncan have I murdered? I can’t let that happen.

[Macbeth signals to a murderer to come] [ENTER 2 MURDERERS]

BOTH: My lord!

MACBETH: You know that Banquo was your enemy.

ASSASSIN 1: No, we don’t have anything against him, my lord.

MACBETH: (threatening) Repeat that.

ASSASSIN 1: True, my lord. Banquo is our enemy.

MACBETH: So is he mine. Tell no one about this.

Murder him and his son Fleance.

ASSASSIN 2: We will, my lord, perform what you command. Your enemies are our enemies as well.

[EXIT ALL] SCENE ENDS

SCENE XI At night in the forest

Narrator: Banquo and his son Fleance have been hunting and are on their way back to
their house.

FLEANCE: Are we nearly home, Father?

BANQUO: Not far now. I can see the lights of the castle.

FLEANCE: Well, I am really tired. I can use some rest. The fatigue is killing me.

BANQUO: I know, my son. Hunting can be exhausting. But it's good to tire ourselves in the
fresh air. It keeps us sharp.

FLEANCE: (yawning) I suppose so. Still, I’d rather be at home with a warm meal than
wandering through these woods.
BANQUO: (chuckling) Soon enough, Fleance. A hearty meal awaits us. Perhaps even some
of that roasted goose you like so much.

FLEANCE: That sounds wonderful! But, Father, I’ve been thinking…

BANQUO: About what?

FLEANCE: About Macbeth. His rise to power seems… unnatural. Don't you think it’s odd
how quickly he became king after the witches’ prophecies?

BANQUO: You’re right to question it, Fleance. The way he acts since Duncan’s death feels
suspicious. There’s a darkness about him.

FLEANCE: (nervously) Do you think he could have… something to do with it?

BANQUO: It’s a possibility I cannot dismiss. We must be cautious. The throne has a way of
changing men, and Macbeth seems eager to eliminate anyone who stands in his way.

FLEANCE: What if he comes for us next? With Malcolm and Donalbain gone. We are the
only threat left!

BANQUO: (firmly) We must stay vigilant. Macbeth may think he’s safe, but truth will
always find a way to surface.

(Enter the Assassins carrying lamps)

ASSASSIN 1: My lord Banquo, is it not?

BANQUO: It is. Do you come from the palace? I seem to recognize you from somewhere.

ASSASSIN 1: We do! I'm glad your memory hasn’t failed.

BANQUO: Looks like rain tonight.

ASSASSIN 2: Worse than rain, for you!

(The Assassins jump at Banquo, knocking him to the ground.)

BANQUO: Run, Fleance! It’s a trap!

(Fleance runs, exits screaming. The Assassins use their swords to kill Banquo.)

BANQUO: Argh…

ASSASSIN 1: He’s finished. Quick. Get the boy.

(Assassin 2 tries to get Fleance but comes back as Fleance is too fast)
ASSASSIN 2: No use. He’s too fast. Gone. We’ll never catch him.

ASSASSIN 1: Hmm. That’s not good. There’s a feast for the King tonight. We’ll have to tell
him there. I fear Macbeth will be very angry since we only managed to kill one of the two.

ASSASSIN 2: Oh yeah, that will spoil his party.

ASSASSIN 1: Well, I hope it doesn’t spoil ours too. Come on...let’s go.

[The Assassins head to the feast to tell] SCENE ENDS

SCENE XI Macbeth’s castle: The great hall

Narrator: A banquet has been prepared and it is going well. Seated are Ross, Lennox and
various noblemen and ladies. Groups of other guests stand chatting. Various servants,
soldiers are also present. Tonight, they are having a feast to celebrate Macbeth’s coronation...

SERVANT: All rise for the King and Queen!

[Enter Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The guests all stand and clap them in rhythmically]

ALL: All hail, king Macbeth!

[Macbeth leads Lady Macbeth to a seat, then motions the

clapping to stop. He leans against an empty seat between Lady Macbeth and Lennox]

MACBETH: My noble lords and ladies, welcome! Tonight we will forget the past and think
only of the future. So eat, drink and enjoy!

[As the lords and ladies take their seats at the table a servant comes to Macbeth and
whispers in his ear]

SERVANT: My lord…

MACBETH: Yes, what is it?

SERVANT: The ... gentlemen ... they have returned.

MACBETH: What?

SERVANT: They wish to speak with you. Over there, by the door.

MACBETH: (To the servant) Ah, yes. (To all) Some urgent business I
must deal with. I shall return quickly. Please excuse me.
Narrator: Macbeth walks over to the far side of the hall where the murderers wait in the
shadows. The murderers tell him that they managed to kill Banquo, but Fleance escaped.
Macbeth is enraged but returns to the feast as if nothing happened not to raise suspicions.

[Re-enter Macbeth]

Narrator: Lennox gestures to him in his seat (now occupied by Banquo’s ghost).
Banquo turns, his face smeared with blood and Macbeth staggers back.
He is so filled with guilt that he sees Banquos’ ghost sitting on his chair. Only Macbeth can
see the ghost.

MACBETH: Which one of you has done this?

LENNOX: What, my good lord?

MACBETH: Again, which one of you has done this?

LENNOX: My lord, what’s the matter?

[Banquo steps forward]

MACBETH: Get away from me! I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me!

ROSS: Gentlemen, rise - the King is not well.

[Lady Macbeth rises and goes to Macbeth’s side.]

LADY MACBETH: Please, everyone, stay. This is just ... an illness. The
King has suffered from it since he was a boy. Don’t
worry, it will go away. (Whispering to Macbeth) What’s
wrong with you? Are you a man or what?

MACBETH: Can’t you see it? The devil himself would be scared.

LADY MACBETH: Oh, yes! Like the dagger in the air you told me about.
Look, it’s just a stool! You’re seeing things.

[The ghost disappears.]

MACBETH: What? It’s gone!

LADY MACBETH: It was never there!

MACBETH: No? Right. (To all) Please, everybody, forgive me. I am
not myself this evening. We shall have a toast! [All rise]

ALL: A toast! A toast!

MACBETH: To absent friends.

LENNOX: To Banquo!
MACBETH: Yes, why not? To Banquo!

ALL: To Banquo!
[They drain their glasses and return to their seats (revealing Banquo again). He turns to
Macbeth and raises his glass.]

MACBETH: Argh! It’s here again! Get back to your grave, you fiend!

[EXIT BANQUO'S GHOST]

Narrator: Macbeth keeps on seeing the ghost again and

again. Lady Macbeth tries to talk sense into Macbeth, but
he no longer listens to her. He is filled with guilt and fear. Lady Macbeth decides to clear the
room.

LADY MACBETH: My lords, ladies. I’m sorry, the King is not well. Please,
leave us now. Good night.

[The guests exit, confused and concerned.]

ALL: Goodnight.

LADY MACBETH: [to Macbeth] You need sleep, my Lord.

MACBETH: Macduff wasn’t here tonight. Did you notice?

LADY MACBETH: Macduff? What are you talking about?

MACBETH: He’s plotting I’m sure. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Weird Sisters again, find out what else is in
store. This isn’t over. I’ve stepped in so much blood it’s easier now to spill
more than to go back.

LADY MACBETH: Come. Let’s get some sleep.

EXIT ALL SCENE ENDS

SCENE XII Macduff’s castle:

Narrator: Before Macduff left to go to England, he went to inform Lady Macduff about his trip.

(Lady Macduff and her children are having supper.)

SERVANT: My Lady Macduff, your husband is here.

LADY MACDUFF: (relief and excitement on her face) Ah, yes! My husband! Where is he?

SERVANT: In the room next door. I will watch over the kids.

(Lady Macduff rushes to the room, greeting Macduff once she gets there.)

MACDUFF: My dear, it has been a while since we last saw each other.

LADY MACDUFF: I agree, but you’re here now! Come join us for dinner.

MACDUFF: (sighs) I’m afraid I can’t. I have to go to England for a business trip.

LADY MACDUFF: England? When will you return?

MACDUFF: I’m not sure, but I must leave as soon as possible.

LADY MACDUFF: And what business is this trip for?

MACDUFF: (avoiding eye contact) Don’t worry about it, my dear. I won’t be gone for long. Please take
very good care of our children.

LADY MACDUFF: (concerned) Very well, my lord husband. I will. I hope to see you soon. Good luck.

(One last goodbye is exchanged as Macduff leaves the room. Lady Macduff returns to supper with her
children.) SCENE ENDS

SCENE XIII the heath at night.

Narrator: Macbeth is now so paranoid that he decides to go back to the witches for some
comfort.

MACBETH:
I am coming to the witches. I will command them to tell me my future
again so that I can have some peace of mind.
Lenox, when I enter the witches’ lair, wait outside as I talk to them.

LENOX: Sure, my lord king. [they keep on walking toward the witches]

Narrator: In the heath, the goddess of the witches is enraged because the witches have told
Macbeth his future without her consent and without her presence there.

[Thunder sounds. The three WITCHES enter, meeting HECATE.]

FIRST WITCH: How now, Hecate? You look angry. [witches seem scared of Hecate]

HECATE [looking very angry]:

Have I no reasons to be angry, you weird-looking creatures?
How did you dare to trade and traffic with Macbeth’s fate
In riddles and affairs of death;
And I, the mistress of your charms, The goddess among you,
Was never called to do my part or to see the glory of your art?

ALL WITCHES: We are very sorry, Hecate.

HECATE: Ok for now. Keep preparing the potion. Get to work before I turn you all into frogs!
[All three witches move around the cauldron where they are preparing the potion. They throw stuff into it]

FIRST WITCH: Thrice the brinded cat has mewed.

SECOND WITCH: Thrice, and once the hedge-pig whined.

THIRD WITCH: Harpier cries - It’s time, it’s time!

ALL WITCHES but Hecate:

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool
of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.

HECATE: Oh well done! I commend your work; And everyone shall share the gains;
And now about the cauldron sing, Live elves and fairies in a ring, Enchanting all that you put in.

(They circle the cauldron.)

SECOND WITCH:
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks! [ENTER MACBETH]

MACBETH: How now, you secret midnight creatures! What is it you do?

ALL WITCHES: A deed without a name!

FIRST WITCH: Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware of Macduff;

MACBETH: I knew it. Macduff is dangerous...

SECOND WITCH: Be bloody, bold and resolute!

 No man ever been born to a woman can harm you!

MACBETH: Which means I’m safe! No human can ever harm me!

THIRD WITCH: Macbeth shall never be killed until the woods come against him.

MACBETH: How can a wood get up and move somewhere else?Never! I’m safe!
One more question...Banquo’s children. Shall they be kings?

LENNOX: (Offstage) Your Highness!

[Macbeth turns towards the noise but when he looks again, the witches are gone.]

[ENTER LENNOX]

MACBETH: Did you see the weird sisters?

LENNOX: No, my lord! Are you not well, your highness?

MACBETH: More than well, Lennox! Now, what is the news?

LENNOX: Messengers, my lord.. They say Macduff is trying to raise an army

in England, your Highness.

MACBETH: Traitor! He’ll pay for this. I’ll take his castle, kill his wife,
his children, his family. Come! He exits with Lennox. SCENE ENDS

SCENE XIV Macduff’s Castle. Outside a storm rages.

NARRATOR: Macduff’s castle. Lady Macduff and her two children are sitting at a table,
awaiting news of Macduff from England.

[Enter Ross, wet from the storm.]

LADY MACDUFF: Ross! You are welcome! Dry out. Spend some time with us.

ROSS: My Lady Macduff. I wish I could stay…

LADY MACDUFF: Do you bring news of my husband?

ROSS: I will travel to England to join him. Can I give him a message?

LADY MACDUFF: Tell him not to take long!

ROSS: He is doing what he must, my lady. Goodbye, now.

LADY MACDUFF: Goodbye!

 [Exit Ross. The Assassin enters from the other side. As he does, he draws his sword. Lady Macduff and the
children back up against the wall as the killer advances.]

MURDERER: Where’s your husband?

LADY MACDUFF: Nowhere you’ll find him.

MURDERER: He’s a traitor and so are you.

And you know what happens to traitors… [The murderer raises his swords - lights out.] SCENE ENDS

SCENE XV England

NARRATOR: In England, Macduff receives the devastating news about his wife and
children. ENTER MACDUFF and MALCOLM followed by ROSS

MACDUFF: My children too? My wife was killed too?

ROSS: I am telling you…Macbeth is a monster.

MACDUFF: Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny!

Not in the legions of horrid hell can a devil be more evil than Macbeth.

MALCOLM: Let that be this the strength of your sword:

let grief Convert to anger; blunt not the heart. enrage it.
Come, let’s go to the king; our power is ready to go free Scotland from the tyrant Macbeth.

SCENE ENDS

SCENE XVI Macbeth's castle

NARRATOR: In Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth has been acting very strangely lately. Her
servants are worried about her mental health and have summoned a doctor to the queen’s
room… [ENTER SERVANT and DOCTOR.]

SERVANT: This is where she walks, Doctor.

DOCTOR: Every night?

SERVANT: Without fail.

DOCTOR: And you think she’s asleep each time?

SERVANT: I‘m sure of it. She says things ... but look, here she comes!

[Enter Lady Macbeth, sleepwalking. Lady Macbeth mimes washing her hands.]
SERVANT: Watch her ... and stay out of sight.

DOCTOR: Her eyes are open!

SERVANT: But they do not see.

DOCTOR: What’s she doing now?

LADY MACBETH:
Out, damned spot! out, I say!
Who would have thought the old man to
have had so much blood in him.

SERVANT: Washing her hands. But there’s no water. Oh Listen!

LADY MACBETH: Out damned spot! Out I say! Who would have
thought an old man could have so much blood in him?

DOCTOR: We’re hearing things we shouldn’t.

LADY MACBETH: Will these hands never be clean?

SERVANT: Heaven knows what she really knows.

LADY MACBETH: The smell of blood is still there.

DOCTOR: This isn’t an illness I can cure.

LADY MACBETH: I tell you: Banquo’s dead and buried. He can’t come out
of his grave.

DOCTOR: So that’s it? Banquo?

LADY MACBETH: To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:

come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's done
cannot be undone.--To bed, to bed, to bed!

SERVANT: We’ve heard too much already. [ Lady Macbeth exits sleepwalking]

DOCTOR: There’s nothing I can do for her. She needs a priest, not a doctor. Look after her.

SERVANT: God forgive us all.

DOCTOR: Goodnight. And you’d better forget what we just heard -or we’re all dead. [They exit.]

SCENE ENDS
SCENE XVII Curtains open

NARRATOR: On the walls of Dunsinane Castle, the two noblemen Ross and Lennox have found a quiet
place where they cannot be overheard…

ROSS: These are strange times, Lennox, strange times.

LENNOX: Oh God. First Duncan is killed. And his sons ran away.

ROSS: Because they were the murderers - so says Macbeth.

LENNOX: Then Banquo is killed. And his son Fleance runs away

ROSS:Because Fleance killed him - so says Macbeth.

LENNOX: So says Macbeth. [A distant door is heard slamming.]

ROSS: Shh! Is that someone coming?

[Ross and Lennox carefully check out the stage to make
sure no one’s eavesdropping. Then they come together
again, whispering]

LENNOX: Even up here we’re not safe.

ROSS: And now Macduff has disappeared.

LENNOX: Not disappeared, gone to England.

ROSS: Why?

LENNOX: He’s gone to join Malcolm. They’re going to raise an

army to come up here and save us from Macbeth.

ROSS: Does Macbeth know?

LENNOX: Yes. And he’s planning his revenge on Macduff.

ROSS: God help Macduff.

LENNOX: God help us all. [They exit.] SCENE ENDS

SCENE XVIII Macbeth’s castle

[Enter Macbeth, Doctor and Servant. Macbeth tears up a paper and throw it away.]
MACBETH: No more reports! I don’t need them. Birnam Wood can’t come to Dunsinane. Malcolm was
born of a woman. Nothing can touch me.
[Enter a Servant]
SERVANT: Sir, the English army comes near!

MACBETH: All right then! Put on my armor!

DOCTOR: My lord, your wife…

MACBETH: Who are you?

DOCTOR: The doctor, my lord. Your wife, sir, is sick…

MACBETH: What’s the matter with her?

DOCTOR: She is ... troubled. Her mind is not well.

MACBETH: She’ll be fine. Come on! Give me my sword! And let us go!
DOCTOR: My lord…
MACBETH: I’m not scared of death ... till Birnam comes to Dunsinane. [Macbeth and Servant exit right
with soldiers.]
DOCTOR: I’m off. And no amount of money going to bring me back
to this place. [The Doctor exits left.]
[Macbeth to the Servant]
MACBETH: Tell my lady that I am about to leave for battle.

SERVANT: (Going) Yes, my lord.

MACBETH: Are the flags flying on all the walls?

SERVANT: Yes, my lord.

MACBETH: They can’t beat us. [There’s a cry from the next room.] What’s that noise? Go and see.
[The Servant goes. Macbeth carries on buckling up his armor. Servant returns.]

SERVANT: The Queen, my Lord, is dead.

MACBETH: What? Dead? I will go see her.

[Macbeth goes upstage and re-enters]
MACBETH: She should have lived until the battle ended.
[He drops to the ground.]

MACBETH: [Crying] Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
(Very sad song is played) to be decided
[When the song is over, Macbeth stands up again]

MACBETH: My sword! (Another servant hands Macbeth his sword, which he

sheaths. A soldier enters.)

MESSENGER: My lord…

MACBETH: Come on! Spit it out!

MESSENGER: I don’t know how to tell you…

MACBETH: Just say it!

MESSENGER: As I stood watch, I looked towards Birnam ... and the

the woods were moving.

MACBETH: Liar!

MESSENGER: It is true, sir. See - through the window there.

(Macbeth goes to the window.)

MACBETH: So, Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Just like the

Weird Sisters said. There’s no running away. The prophecy comes true…
[sound of drums is heard as the enemy army approaches]

MACBETH: Ok, let’s go to war. SCENE ENDS

SCENE XIX FINAL BATTLE

ENTER MALCOLM, LENNOX, and ROSS and other SOLDIERS with branches in front of their faces.
They march across the stage.

[ENTER MACBETH and both teams start fighting]

(Macbeth fights a soldier, disarms him with ease, and kills him with a simple thrust. Battle music plays.
Soldiers on both sides fall as Macbeth kills the last soldier.)

MACBETH: I will fight forever! Fool. You were born of a woman. I cannot die.

(Enter Macduff from behind.)

MACDUFF: Turn, you evil tyrant! Fight me if you’re brave enough.

MACBETH: Get back. I don’t want to fight you, Macduff.

MACDUFF: Murderer!

(They fight.)

MACBETH: You’re wasting your time. There is a spell on me. You can’t kill me – you were born of a
woman.

NARRATOR: But Macduff was born by C-section, so technically, he was not "born of a woman."

MACDUFF: No, I wasn’t, Macbeth. I was cut from my mother’s womb before her time…

MACBETH: (in disbelief) Curses on you for telling me that!

MACDUFF: Surrender then, you coward!

MACBETH: Bring it on, Macduff – let’s fight to the death!

(They exit, still fighting. The soundtrack fades.)

(Re-enter Macduff and Macbeth, still fighting. Just as Macduff is about to kill Macbeth, Fleance runs in.)

FLEANCE: (yelling) Stop! Stop this at once!

(Macduff and Macbeth break apart, looking at Fleance in shock.)

MACDUFF: Fleance! What are you doing here? This is dangerous!

FLEANCE: No more deaths, Macduff. Macbeth’s evil has taken enough from us. I testify here and now
that it was Macbeth who ordered the murder of my father. But if we kill him now, the cycle of violence will
just continue.

MACBETH: (scoffs, but looks weary) What nonsense is this? The throne requires strength, not speeches.
FLEANCE: Strength can mean mercy, too, Macbeth. You should face justice for what you’ve done. A true
king brings peace, not more bloodshed. I ask everyone here to sentence him to prison instead of death.

(The crowd murmurs in agreement, nodding.)

MACDUFF: (thoughtful, looking at Fleance) Perhaps you’re right, Fleance. Violence has defined
Macbeth’s rule. It’s time we end it differently.

MALCOLM: (stepping forward) Macbeth, you will be imprisoned for the rest of your life. Justice, not
revenge, will bring peace to Scotland.

(Macbeth, exhausted and defeated, slumps to his knees as soldiers seize him.)

MACDUFF: (raising his voice) Hail, King Malcolm - rightful King of Scotland!

ALL: Hail Malcolm, King of Scotland! God save the king! God save the king!

MALCOLM: Tyranny is finally defeated. My friends and family, from now on, all the suffering you
endured at the hands of Macbeth and his evil queen is over. As your new king, I extend my heartfelt
gratitude to all of you. Together, let’s embrace this new chapter filled with promise and prosperity.

ALL: Hail, King of Scotland!

NARRATOR:
So everything the Witches said came true. But did they make events happen? Or was Macbeth master of
his own fate? And what of Lady Macbeth? Was she as guilty as her husband? Whatever you believe -
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both dead now ... and Scotland ...is free again.

We all get on stage and bow to the audience in gratitude.

THE END