A Scottish warrior came riding down a rocky track at dusk. He was smiling, and there was blood on his hands from the day’s battle. Darkness slowly covered the land behind him, and it seemed he was drawing the night around his shoulders like a great, black cloak. Another man followed, riding hard to keep up, a smile on his face, too.
Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, and his right-hand man, Banquo. Two men who had fought on the same side, and who were friends. For now…
‘I’ve never known a day so foul and fair, Banquo,’ Macbeth called out. ‘The sun was shining for our victory — but look at those black clouds!’
‘You’re right, it is strange…’ Banquo replied.
Suddenly lightning flashed. It revealed three women — the Weird Sisters — waiting at a place where the track crossed the road to Macbeth’s castle. They were very old and dressed in rags, and their eyes glowed a fiery red. Thunder rumbled in the distance and echoed off the mountains.
Macbeth and Banquo stopped their horses. Both men were startled and were silent for a while.
‘Who… who are you?’ Banquo said at last. ‘Are you truly human? People that live and breathe and speak?’
‘Yes, speak to us, if you can…’ Macbeth said quietly, his hand on his sword. He felt that he had fallen under a spell. It was almost as if he had been waiting his whole life to hear what they had to say.
‘All hail, Macbeth, Thane of Glamis,’ wailed the first Sister.
‘All hail, Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor,’ wailed the second Sister.
‘All hail, Macbeth, who will be king,’ wailed the third Sister.
Macbeth caught his breath, and the blood drained from his cheeks.
‘What’s the matter?’ Banquo asked him. ‘Surely there’s nothing to fear in their words. They’re promising you a golden future, a royal one…’
Macbeth made no reply. He didn’t want to explain his feelings and give himself away.
Banquo turned back to the women. ‘Have you no words for me, then?’ he said. ‘Don’t you know what my future will be?’
‘Hail, lesser than Macbeth, and greater!’ wailed the first Sister.
‘Hail, not so happy, yet much happier,’ wailed the second Sister.
‘Hail, you who will not be a king, but whose children will be,’ wailed the third Sister.
Lightning flickered once more and their shadows danced.
‘Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!’ the Weird Sisters wailed.
Macbeth glanced at his friend, but Banquo couldn’t take his eyes off them.
‘I’m Thane of Glamis right enough,’ said Macbeth after a moment. ‘But how can I be Thane of Cawdor too? As far as I know, the man who holds that title still lives. And as for being king — well, that can’t happen, either. Who told you to stop us and say such a thing?’
But between two lightning flashes the Weird Sisters vanished.
‘Where did they go?’ said Banquo. He jumped from his horse and looked around wildly. ‘Were they really there — or are we dreaming?’
‘Even if we are, I wish they had told us more,’ said Macbeth. He turned to stare at his friend. ‘Your children will be kings, Banquo.’
‘And you will be king,’ replied Banquo, meeting his gaze.
‘Wait, I hear someone coming!’ hissed Macbeth.
A pair of riders was racing towards them. They drew their swords … but Macbeth relaxed. ‘It’s Lennox and Ross,’ he said.
‘Greetings, mighty Macbeth!’ said Ross.
He and Lennox jumped down from their horses. Both men were thanes themselves and servants of Scotland’s King Duncan, like Macbeth. ‘The king knows of your great victory in battle, and of all that you did to beat the rebels and save his kingdom.’
‘They say you fought like a demon — and that you cut the rebel leader in two!’ said Lennox.
‘And to show you just how pleased the king is,’ said Ross with a grin, ‘he told me to call you… Thane of Cawdor. For that title is yours.’
‘What? Can this be true?’ muttered Banquo, astonished.
‘But… the Thane of Cawdor is alive, isn’t he?’ said Macbeth.
‘For the time being,’ said Lennox. ‘We know now that he supported the rebels all along. The king has sentenced him to death and now wants to see you. We’re to take you to him immediately.’
Macbeth and Banquo looked at each other. Then Banquo took the two men aside to find out more. Macbeth was left in the gathering darkness. He slid from his saddle and stood alone, thinking.
The Weird Sisters had promised he would be Thane of Cawdor, and it had happened. So did that mean their other promise would come true? A terrifying idea slipped into his mind, although he hardly dared think about it. There was a way of becoming king. He could kill Duncan and seize the throne. Macbeth felt the hairs on his neck stand up.
‘My lord, we’re waiting,’ said Banquo, breaking into his thoughts.
‘Er… yes, of course…’ stammered Macbeth. ‘But I must send a message to my wife with the news…’
Macbeth and Banquo got back on their horses and rode with Ross and Lennox to the king’s camp. It was full of battle-stained, tired warriors. But they still cheered their hero Macbeth as he galloped by.
The king was outside his tent, talking to his eldest son, Malcolm. The rest of his thanes were standing nearby with Donalbain, Duncan’s other son.
‘Has the former Thane of Cawdor been hanged yet?’ asked Duncan.
‘Yes, father,’ said Malcolm. ‘He wanted you to know he was sorry for what he’d done, and begged to be forgiven. He died bravely, too.’
‘How strange,’ said Duncan. ‘You can never tell what a man is like deep down. I really trusted him… Ah, and here is a man I owe a lot to — more than I can ever pay. Welcome, cousin Macbeth, and thanks!’
‘I only did my duty, Your Majesty,’ said Macbeth, and bowed.
‘You will be well rewarded for being so loyal,’ said King Duncan. ‘This is a day of great joy,’ he went on, turning to everybody, ‘and the perfect time for me to make my intentions clear. I declare that my eldest son Malcolm will be King of Scotland after I die, and my other son Donalbain after him…’
Everybody cheered, and Malcolm and Donalbain grinned. But Macbeth realised he had another problem. Even if he killed Duncan, the king’s sons stood between him and the crown. But Macbeth made sure his thoughts didn’t show on his face and cheered with the others.
‘Come, Macbeth, I’ll stay with you tonight,’ said the king at last. ‘That will make our friendship stronger. Your castle is near, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ said Macbeth. ‘If you’ll allow me, I’ll go on ahead to warn my wife you’re coming.’
The king gave his permission, and soon Macbeth was riding hard into the night. The castle was quiet when he arrived. Nobody was around except the old gatekeeper, a few guards and Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth. She was waiting for him in their room. A single candle burned. Its light was flickering and unsteady.
‘Welcome, great Glamis,’ said Lady Macbeth, hugging him. ‘But now I must call you Cawdor, too. And you were promised something even greater. Your message made me wonder what the future holds for us.’
‘My dearest love,’ said Macbeth. ‘Duncan is coming here tonight.’
‘Is he?’ said Lady Macbeth, startled. Then she looked at Macbeth with narrowed eyes. ‘Well, I pray he won’t see the sun rise tomorrow,’ she said.
Macbeth pushed her from him and turned away.
‘I know what you’re thinking,’ whispered Lady Macbeth. ‘I can read your face like a book. Well, I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing.’
‘Have you?’ said Macbeth. He was shocked to hear her talk about something that had only been a dark thought in his mind. ‘But to kill a king is such a terrible crime… I don’t know if I can do it.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said Lady Macbeth. ‘I’ll take care of the planning…’
‘Let’s not talk about it now,’ said Macbeth. ‘I need to be alone.’
Later, Macbeth watched from the shadows as Duncan and his men arrived, and Lady Macbeth went out to greet them. Macbeth’s mind was full of worry. The Weird Sisters had promised he would be king, and he was certainly ambitious. But there were lots of good reasons not to kill Duncan.
For a start, they were related — the king was Macbeth’s cousin. Duncan was a sweet man, and a good king, too. Then there was the murder itself. If only it could be as simple as killing an enemy in battle — one blow that settled everything. But Macbeth knew it would be just the beginning. So many problems might follow…
‘Where have you been?’ said Lady Macbeth, holding up a candle. ‘The king has been asking for you.’
‘I’m not going to do it,’ Macbeth said suddenly. ‘This has to stop, right here and right now. The king has been very good to me, and lots of other people think highly of me, and we’re doing well enough without… without…’
‘What’s wrong with you?’ snapped Lady Macbeth. ‘Are you a man or not? If you want big things in life, you have to be bold and take big risks.’
‘Be quiet, woman,’ Macbeth snapped back. ‘I’m no coward. I’ll do anything a man will try.’
‘So why did you talk about killing him in the first place?’ she said. ‘I might be a woman, but I would do it if I had to. I knew you would change your mind. Deep down you’re too soft for murder.’
‘I’m not, I can do it!’ said Macbeth. ‘But… but what if we fail?’
‘We fail, that’s what!’ hissed Lady Macbeth. ‘But we won’t, not if you’re as brave as you say. Listen, Duncan hasn’t brought bodyguards with him, just two grooms. They’ll be sleeping outside his door. I’ll make sure they get drunk after the king goes to bed. Then you can do the deed… and we can put the blame on them!’
‘Yes, I think it could work…’ whispered Macbeth. His eyes glowed, reflecting the candlelight. ‘I’ll use their daggers. Then I’ll cover their clothes and hands with the king’s blood…’
‘What a wonderful idea!’ said Lady Macbeth, smiling. ‘If they’re found like that, everyone will think they’re guilty!’
‘So it’s settled,’ said Macbeth. He clenched his jaw and tried to stay calm. ‘Now we’ll go to see the king,’ he said, ‘and keep him happy till he goes to bed. We can put on a good show… but what’s in our hearts he’ll never know.’
And with that, they walked down the passage into deeper darkness.