macbeth cover photo


The play begins with a trio of witches appearing and then moves to a military camp where King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two invading armies. The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be made thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Macbeth's companion, Banquo, will beget a line of Scottish kings, although Banquo will never be king himself. The witches vanish, and Macbeth and Banquo treat their prophecies sceptically until some of King Duncan's men come to thank the two generals for their victories. Macbeth is intrigued by the possibility that the remainder of the witches' prophecy—that he will be crowned king—might be true. He visits with King Duncan and plans to dine together at Inverness, where he writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth desires the kingship for him and wants him to murder Duncan to obtain it. When Duncan's death is discovered, Macbeth kills the chamberlain and easily assumes the kingship. Fearful of the witches' prophecy that Banquo's heirs will seize the throne, Macbeth hires a group of murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Macbeth orders the seizure of Macduff's castle and the murder of Lady Macduff and her children. Macbeth is stricken with grief and vows revenge, but is struck numb when he learns that the English army is advancing on Dunsinane, fulfilling half of the witches' prophecies. 

- abd el rahman yousry