Macbeth

mACBETH 51

Meanwhile, on his way Hail, Ross. How is
to England, Ross Scotland?
had learned about
the death of lady Macbeth is a
Macduff. Arriving at madman. The
King Edward’s palace, whole country
He found Macduff suffers.
talking with Duncan’s
son Malcolm.

Don’t worry, Ross. England Then, knowing he could not put
has given us Siward, the Earl of it off any longer, Ross told
Northumberland, along with ten Macduff about his wife and son.
thousand fighting men.
What? Macbeth has
We will soon slain my family? I will
go to war to kill him in return!
save Scotland
from Macbeth.

52 When was the last time She has walked
lady Macbeth walked in every night
Meanwhile, back her sleep? since Macbeth
in Scotland, left the castle
one of lady to prepare for
Macbeth’s ser- war. Look! There
vants called a she is again!
doctor.

Lady Macbeth was Will these hands never be
walking in her sleep clean? Who would have
with her eyes wide thought the old man had
open. As the doc- so much blood in him?
tor and the servant
watched, She rubbed
her hands togeth-
er as if she were
washing them—over
and over again.

She will soon go back No, I can do nothing. But
to bed. Can you help her, keep an eye on her. She
doctor? might try to hurt herself!

mACBETH 53

Not long afterward, Scotland was ready for war. Many noblemen
revolted* against Macbeth and planned to attack him.

The English troops led by Malcolm, Yes, they are at Birnam wood.
Siward, and Macduff are near. We will meet them there.

Macbeth gath- His soldiers Come. Let us march to Birnam and
ers his forces only follow join the English soldiers.
at Castle Dun- him out of
sinane. He is like fear, not out
a madman! of love!

* turned against

54 Suddenly a messenger
appeared with a report.
Back at Dunsinane castle, Macbeth
was not worried. He believed that Sir, there are ten
the witches’ prophecy would keep thousand troops
him safe. marching this way!

Birnam wood cannot walk. And no
man born of a woman can harm
me. I have nothing to fear—not
even Macduff!

Wisely, however, I am not afraid of them. Get out
Macbeth decided of here!
to dress for
battle. Help me with my armor, Seyton. It is
early yet, but I wish to be ready once
the fighting starts.

Yes, Sir.

mACBETH 55

Soon the English army and the Order every soldier to cut off a
troops from Scotland met at branch and carry it. That way we
Birnam wood. can disguise* our true numbers
from Macbeth.

It shall be
done, Sir!

Now we are ready to fight
Macbeth at Dunsinane!

* hide by taking on another appearance

56 Hang our banners and flags
from the walls. Castle Dunsinane
All this time at is stronger than the enemy.
Dunsinane, Macbeth
thought Malcolm,
Siward, and Macduff
were helpless
against him.

But there was trouble What is happening, Your wife is
in his own house. Sud- Seyton? dead, Sir.
denly Macbeth heard
the screams of women.

But Macbeth had little Sir—this sounds crazy. . . but
time to mourn.* Just when I looked out over the cas-
then a messenger tle walls toward Birnam wood, it
came in with a strange seemed to me that the trees were
story. walking up the hill!

* cry, feel bad about something

mACBETH 57

You’re No, Sir. You can see At this, Macbeth remembered the
lying! it for yourself! witches’ prediction.

The witches said
I had nothing to
fear until Birnam
wood comes to
Dunsinane. And
now the forest
walks this way!

Macbeth called Get your weapons! We will meet
everyone in his the enemy outside. If we must
castle to battle. die, we will die fighting!

58 We are close enough Sound the trumpets
to Dunsinane, Macduff. so Macbeth knows
Meanwhile, Order the men to toss we bring blood and
Malcolm and away their screen of death!
his army had branches.
reached a place
near the castle.

Hearing the trum- Attack!
pets, Macbeth led
his army to meet
the enemy on a
nearby plain.

During the What is your name?
battle, Siward’s
son challenged* You will
Macbeth to a tremble** to
swordfight. hear it. I am
Macbeth!

* dared
** shake with fear

mACBETH 59

They fought, and Ha! You are a man born of a
Macbeth killed the woman. I fear you not. No
son of Siward with one can hurt me in battle!
his blade.

Meanwhile, Macduff searched Where is the King? If I do not find him,
everywhere for Macbeth. my dead family will haunt* me forever.

Nearby, Malcolm and Many of Macbeth’s own troops
Siward rode into have deserted** him and joined
Macbeth’s castle. us. Dunsinane is ours!

* in this sense, to make someone ashamed for not getting revenge
** left, went over to the other side

60 Macbeth! Take up your
Sword and fight me!
After much fight-
ing, Macduff You cannot defeat
found Macbeth on me, Macduff. My life is
the battlefield. charmed.* No one born of
a woman can kill!

I have already killed your fam- It is you who will
ily. I have no wish to add your die Macbeth!
blood to my hands. Get away
while you still can, Macduff.

My mother could not give birth to me in
the usual way. The doctor cut her open
and took me out. So I was not really
“born,” Macbeth!

I am sorry to
hear this.
* protected by magic

mACBETH 61

But I will never give up!

Therefore we
must fight!

Come on, Macduff. The one who stops first will
be the loser!

62

Meanwhile I wonder how many men Two men are missing,
Malcolm’s we lost in the battle. Siward. Macduff and
army had your son cannot be
finished found.
fighting.
They had
won.

I know about one of them. At least he died
I am sorry to say young like a soldier!
Siward has been killed.

Just then, Macduff Macbeth is dead. Hail,
walked in carrying the Malcolm, our rightful
head of Macbeth. king!

mACBETH 63

At this, the thanes all hailed Malcolm as their new ruler.

The butcher, Let there be peace Hail, Malcolm!
Macbeth, is dead! in the land.

Hail! Hail! Hail the new king
of Scotland!

THE
END

Macbeth

After encountering three witches, the warrior
Macbeth waits to see if their predictions come
true. Stung by ambition, Macbeth is persuaded
by his conniving wife that the fastest way to
fulfill the prophecy is to murder the king, which
sets off a disastrous chain of events. As the
tragedy unfolds, Macbeth’s decisions lead to
more ruin. He returns to the witches and
believes that his future is secure—but is he
interpreting the premonitions correctly?

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