Script Macbeth

SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS

1595: Romeo and Juliet

1595: A midsummer night’s dream

1597: The Merchant of Venice

1605: Macbeth.

MACBETH

INTRODUCTION

Characters

King James I: David

Anna of Denmark: Macarena

William Shakespeare: Juan Gabriel

Servants: Tamara y Pilar

SCRIPT

(Two servants enter)

PILAR: I heard that Shakespeare is performing one of his plays tomorrow for his majesty the King James I and Queen Anna.

TAMARA: And what is it called?

PILAR: It’s named after one of the past Kings of Scotland, his name was Macbeth.

TAMARA: What is it about?

PILAR: It is about ambition, crime and death. It also includes the themes of madness, witchcraft and evil.

TAMARA: Oh my God, witchcraft?

PILAR: Oops, here they come.  (They leave)

(The King, the Queen and William Shakespeare enter talking about the play)

KING JAMES: Can you tell us more about the plot, Shakespeare?

SHAKESPEARE: It tells the story of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches.

KING JAMES: How interesting, what kind of prophecy?

SHAKESPEARE: The prophecy predicts that he will be the thane of Cawdor and one day he will become the King of Scotland.

QUEEN ANNA: And does he fulfil these prophecies?

SHAKESPEARE: Macbeth defends Scotland bravely at the battle against Norway and Ireland, and as a reward, King Duncan knights him as the Thane of Cawdor. When this first part of the prophecy is fulfilled, Macbeth becomes more and more ambitious of becoming king, and he plans to murder King Duncan as a way to take the throne for himself.  

QUEEN ANNA: What a horrible thing to do to your king!

SHAKESPEARE: Macbeth is wracked with guilt and paranoia during the lead up to killing the king. He starts to doubt his plan, but it is his wife, Lady Macbeth, who begins to challenge his manhood, and she persuades him to take action that very night, as the King is spending it at their palace.

QUEEN ANNA: What a cruel woman! Why would she do such a thing to her own husband?

KING JAMES: Well, does he succeed?

SHAKESPEARE: Of course he does!

KING JAMES: But... did no one suspect anything of him?

SHAKESPEARE: Lady Macbeth had everything under control; she’d given Duncan’s servants alcohol and because they were so very drunk, they fell asleep. While they are asleep, she marks their faces and hands with blood, she then places the bloody daggers between them to make it look like they were responsible for the King’s death.

QUEEN ANNA: Wow, she is very evil, but she is as brave as an army of soldiers.

KING JAMES: So, I guess everyone find the guards guilty of the murder?

SHAKESPEARE: Yes, that’s it.

QUEEN ANNA: So Macbeth then gets to become the new King, doesn’t he?

KING JAMES: How could Macbeth take the throne? What about the Kings’ sons? Doesn’t he have any heirs?

SHAKESPEARE: His sons, Malcom and Donalbain, were also spending the night in Macbeth’s castle that night. After they find out what happened to their father, they don’t feel safe there and they run away to England and Ireland. Because of the heirs running away and the guilty look they create for themselves; Macbeth, being the only relative left, takes the throne as the King of Scotland.

KING JAMES: Then, this means the second prophecy will also be fulfilled.  

SHAKESPEARE: Yes, and the killing and madness does not end there. Macbeth will be forced to commit more murders to protect him; including his best friend Banquo and Banquo’s son Fleance.

KING JAMES: His best friend and his son? How terribly evil of him!

SHAKESPEARE: Banquo was told by the three witches that although he wouldn’t be a King himself, he would be the father of a line of heirs to the throne. Macbeth then realises that he will have to get rid of Banquo in order to keep his place as the King of Scotland. His plan is to pay three men to kill Banquo and his son, but his son manages to escape.  

KING JAMES: Macbeth must live in fear, knowing that an heir to the throne has escaped!

SHAKESPEARE: Yes, he does, my lord.

QUEEN ANNA: What happens next? Please continue…

SHAKESPEARE: Macbeth invites his lords to a dinner, but of course Banquo isn’t there.

QUEEN ANNA: Obviously not, he has been murdered.

SHAKESPEARE: During the dinner at Macbeth’s palace, there is a ghost.

QUEEN ANNA: A ghost? Oh, my Gosh!

SHAKESPEARE: Banquo’s ghost sits in Macbeth’s chair causing Macbeth to feel anger and fear.  He is startled by the ghost and therefore, scares his guests; but Macbeth does not know that the ghost is only visible to him. The result of the ghost creating fear, they find out that Macbeth is the murderer and all the guests panic and flee the house.

KING JAMES: He has gone insane, he cannot continue because of the guilt. It has created madness within him!

SHAKESPEARE: Macbeth has lost all hope and because of the disturbances from the ghost of his dead best friend, he visits the three witches, and orders them to explain the purpose of the prophecies.

KING JAMES: Why? What are the purposes of the prophecies? Do they tell him?

SHAKESPEARE: The first one is for him to be aware of his Lord Macduff, the second is no man born by a woman will ever kill him, and the third is that he will be safe until the forest comes to fight against him.

KING JAMES: He must feel relieved after speaking to these witches? We all know men are born by women and forests cannot move.

QUEEN ANNA: I guess Macbeth has to kill Lord Macduff.

SHAKESPEARE: All his family are murdered when Macduff is in England. When he finds out what has happened to his family, he seeks revenge and he joins an English army in order to battle against Macbeth and kill him.

KING JAMES: That’s ridiculous. According to the prophecies, Macbeth cannot die.

QUEEN ANNA: What happens at the end? Does Macbeth kill Macduff?

SHAKESPEARE: My Lord, my Lady, it is getting very late and I wish for you both to wait until tomorrows performance in order to find out what happens. Thank you for inviting me here today, and I hope you enjoy tomorrow’s production. Good Night!

ACT 3, SCENE 4

Place: The Great Hall at the King’s palace

Characters:

Macbeth: Abraham

Lady Macbeth: Tania

Ross: Abel

Lennox: Jean Carlo

Banquo: Francisco

Murderer 1: Virginia

Murderer 2: Camila

Attendant:  Tamara

Three witches: Carmen, María y Andrés

(Banquo enters)

BANQUO: You now have all the three witches promised, you became the Thane of Gamis and Cawdor. You have now become the King of Scotland, and I am afraid that you have committed the most terrible crime. The witches have also predicted that I, not you, would father many heirs. Hopefully, as their predictions have come true for you, I hope that they will also come true for me.

(Macbeth enters)

MACBETH: Here he is, Banquo our most important guest. Tonight we will be having a very special dinner, and I would like you to be there.

BANQUO: Of course my Lord, whatever you wish.

MACBETH: Will you be riding this afternoon?

BANQUO: Yes, my lord.

MACBETH:  Is your son going with you?

BANQUO: Yes, sir.

MACBETH: Are you going far?

BANQUO: As far as we can get between now and dinner.

MACBETH: Make sure you are not late for dinner, my friend.

BANQUO: My lord, I will be there.

(Banquo leaves)

MACBETH: All the witches’ prophecies have been fulfilled. I have killed King Duncan, and now I am the King of Scotland; but I do not feel safe. What happens with the prophecies concerning Banquo? The three witches predicted that he would father a line of Kings, but they did not say that my sons would be Kings. Have I taken all these risks for Banquo? I am afraid of Banquo’s prophecies coming true. The thought of killing again, is causing my whole body to shake. I must solve this problem, I must order 3 men to commit this terrible crime, and it will take place before tonight; both Banquo and his son must die together.

(lights off. He goes out)

(lights on)

(Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Ross, Lennox enter. The table has been laid for dinner. The attendants show the lords to their seats. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth walks towards the audience).

LADY MACBETH: We have done everything, but we have won nothing. We have got what we wanted, but we are not happy.

MACBETH: We are still in danger. I cannot eat and my nightmares are so bad that I cannot sleep. My mind is full of evil thoughts; you know that Banquo and his son are still alive.

LADY MACBETH: You must stop thinking about these things. Be happy and welcome to your guests.

(They go with their guests)

MACBETH: Welcome, everybody! Please, take your places.

ALL: Thank you

MACBETH: I will be making my best efforts to ensure I be a good host to you tonight, my friends. (walking around the table) Your hostess welcomes you too.

LADY MACBETH: Welcome, dear friends.

(The murderers enter and stand on one side of the stage)

MACBETH (to lady Macbeth): See how everybody thanks you. (sitting down in the middle of one side of the table). I will sit here in the middle. Be happy, everyone. Let us all drink.

(the attendants bring drink and the lords and Lady Macbeth talk among themselves. Macbeth suddenly sees the murderer. He gets up and walks towards him).

MACBETH: There is blood on your face!

MURDERER 1: It’s Banquo’s blood, my King.

MACBETH: Is he dead?

MURDERER 1: My lord, I cut his throat.

MACBETH: Excellent! But what about his son? Did you do the same to him?

MURDERER 2: (nervously): My lord, his son escaped.

MACBETH: (to himself, fearfully): Now all my doubts and fears are returning (to the murderer). But Banquo is dead?

MURDERER 1: Yes, my lord. His body is lying in a hole in the ground, with twenty cuts over his face. He is certainly dead.

MACBETH: Thank you for that. (to himself) The father is dead. The son has escaped and will be dangerous one day, but for the present time, he has no power to attack me. (to the murderer) Now go.

(the murderer leaves)

LADY MACBETH: (To Macbeth, calling): My lord, you’re are forgetting your guests.

MACBETH: Thank you for reminding me. (lifting a cup). To happiness and good health, everyone!

LENNOX: Please come and sit down, sir

(The ghost of Banquo, covered with blood, enters behind Macbeth and sits down in Macbeth’s place at the table. Macbeth does not see the ghost).

MACBETH: (Standing and holding a cup): All the greatest men in Scotland are under my roof tonight, except noble Banquo. It is very rude of him not to come.

ROSS: He must be blamed for not keeping his promise. Would you like to come and sit with us, my royal lord?

MACBETH: (looking at the table): But the table is full.

LENNOX: Here, my lord (surprised) What is the matter?

(Macbeth sees the ghost and steps back in terror dropping his cup of drink on the floor).

MACBETH: (looking round fearfully): Which one of you has done this?

ALL: (very surprised): What sir?

MACBETH: (to the ghost): You cannot say I murdered you, do not shake your bloody head at me.

ROSS: Gentlemen, get up. (The guests stand). The King is ill.

(Lady Macbeth leaves her chair and walks towards Macbeth).

LADY MACBETH: (to the lords): Sit down, noble friends. (They sit) My husband often acts in this strange way. Please stay in your seats. Do not take any notice of him (to Macbeth, quietly and angrily). You are losing your ability to think. Act like a man!

MACBETH: I am not brave enough to look at such a hellish ghost!

LADY MACBETH: (more angrily): What foolishness! You are always seeing things that do not exist. Why are you so afraid? It is only an empty chair that you are looking at.

MACBETH: Please, look at it, look! (the ghost moves its head up and down) (to the ghost, fearfully) What do you want to say? Speak.

(the ghost leaves)

LADY MACBETH: You cowardly fool.

MACBETH: I saw him as clear as day, you must believe me.

LADY MACBETH (loudly): My lord, you must give your noble friends your attention.

MACBETH: (to the lords, trying to be welcoming): I am very sorry. I forgot. I suffer from an unusual illness, which my closest friends and my family do not take any notice of (lifting a cup). Love and health to everyone! I will sit down. Fill my cup with wine (an attendant brings wine to Macbeth. The ghost enters behind Macbeth so that Macbeth does not see it). I will drink to the happiness of my dear friend Banquo, who I miss very much.

ALL: (lifting their cups): To Banquo!

MACBETH: (suddenly seeing the ghost and dropping his cup): Get out of my sight! You are no living creature.

LADY MACBETH: (to the lords): Noble lords, please do not think that my husband’s behaviour is strange.

MACBETH: (to the ghost): Get out of here, horrible shadow (the ghost leaves. The lords start to get up) Now it has gone, and we can continue on with our night. (to the lords) Please sit down.

LADY MACBETH: (with quite anger): You have spoiled everyone’s enjoyment and destroyed the happy mood with your strange madness.

MACBETH: (to the lords): How can you see such horrible sights and not turn pale with fear, like me?

ROSS: (in surprised disbelief): What sights, my lord?

LADY MACBETH: Do not say anything to him; he is getting worse. Questions will only make him angry. Now, goodnight. (the lords still wait) (losing her calm) Do not wait for my husband to leave first, just go. Leave!

LENNOX: (Coming forward to kiss her hand): Goodnight. I hope the King feels better soon.

LADY MACBETH: Good night!

(everyone leaves, except Macbeth and Lady Macbeth)

MACBETH: It wants blood, my blood. I will go and see the three witches. I want them to tell me more.

LADY MACBETH: You need to sleep.

(They leave)

(Lights off. We change the stage)

(Lights on. The three witches enter)

FIRST WITCH: Where have you been, sister?

SECOND WITCH: Killing pigs.

THIRD WITCH: And you, sister?

FIRST WITCH: Frightening children and taking sweets from them. But I didn’t get many sweets. I was so angry that I started a horrible storm. (sound of thunder)

(A large black pot is hanging over a fire. They join hands and dance round in a circle)

FIRST WITCH: Round and round the pot we go, sometimes fast and sometimes slow.

ALL: (dancing): Double, double, pain and trouble, fire burn and water bubble!

SECOND WITCH: Make sure the fire is good and hot, throw magical bits into the pot.

ALL: Double, double, pain and trouble, fire burn and water bubble!

THIRD WITCH: Boil the magic drink for longer, then its power will be much stronger!

ALL: Double, double, pain and trouble, fire burn and water bubble!

(A drum sounds in the distance)

FIRST WITCH: A drum, a drum! Macbeth is coming.

MACBETH: Evil old women of the night. You know things that no ordinary human beings can know. I command you to answer my questions.

(They throw things into the pot)

SECOND WITCH: Be careful of Macduff.

THIRD WITCH: Be brave and strong. You can laugh at the power of men. Macbeth can’t be harmed by any man born from by woman.

MACBETH: Therefore, I don’t have to be afraid of Macduff.

FIRST WITCH: Be strong and brave, and don’t worry. Macbeth will never be beaten until Birnan Wood marches against him to Dunsinane Hill.

MACBETH: That can never happen. Who can control the forest and make the trees move? But what about Banquo’s children? Tell me if they will be future Kings of Scotland.

SECOND WITCH: Of course, they will. Eight of Banquo’s descendants will be future Kings of Scotland.

(the witches disappear)

MACBETH: These are excellent predictions.  (He goes out)

(The two murderers enter again)

MURDERER 1: (to the audience): Do you want to know the end? Well, in the end, Lady Macbeth starts to feel so guilty for the crimes that she and her husband committed that she kills herself.

MURDERER 2: Macbeth, after the witches’ prophecies, feels very sure that he will continue being the king of Scotland.

MURDERER 3: However, he has become such a cruel king that some of his lords start to betray him and he loses their support.

MURDERER 1: One of them, called Macduff, goes to England and persuades one of Duncan’s sons to reclaim the throne. He asks King Edward for help in order to raise an army against Macbeth and free Scotland from unhappy times of danger and crimes.

MURDERER 2: Macbeth knows about the army but he won’t be afraid of death until Birnan Wood comes to him.

MURDERER 3: However, while the army is encamped in Birman Wood, the soldiers are ordered to cut down trees and carry them in front of them, hiding the true number of soldiers from the enemy.

MURDERER 1: Macbeth can see the forest moving so one of the prophecies is being fulfilled. But Macbeth feels still invincible because no man born of a woman can harm him.

MURDERER 2: The battle culminates in Macduff’s confrontation with Macbeth. However, Macbeth boasts that he has no reason to fear Macduff, for he cannot be killed by any man born of woman.

MURDERER 3: Macduff reveals that his mother died an hour before he was born. So he is not of woman born, thus fulfilling the second prophecy.

MURDERER 1: Macbeth realises that he has misunderstood the witches' words, but he continues to fight until the end. Macduff beheads him, thus fulfilling the remaining prophecy.

MURDERER 2: In the end, Malcolm is placed on the throne, promising to restore order and happiness to Scotland.

MURDERER 3: Do you wonder if the prophecy concerning Banquo was also true?  

MURDERER 1: Although Banquo’s son didn’t become king at the end of the play, it is well known that James the first of England and the sixth of Scotland was a descendant of Banquo, thus fulfilling this prophecy as well.