Macbeth Book Review
This play opens with Banquo and Macbeth. During this time, Scotland was at war. As the play opens two of the king Duncan’s generals return from the battle in the woods after an encounter with three witches. Those witches had told Macbeth that he would become the Thawn of Cawdor and later become the king of Scotland. Banquo had prophesied that Macbeth would bring to end the reign of the Scottish Kings. However, Banquo would not become the King himself. Macbeth and Banquo were cynical and they continued their journey home (Lamartine, 1866).
When Macbeth and Banquo returned, King Duncan’s messenger presented them with messages. The messengers told Macbeth that he would be the Thawn of Cawdor. That message confirmed that the two witches prophesy had rewarded. Macbeth was surprised by the message and he called Duncan to a banquet that evening and went ahead to inform his wife of the events of that day. Macbeth’s wife desired the throne and she told his husband to kill Duncan to guarantee his ascension. Lady Macbeth was able to persuade Macbeth on the plan to murder Duncan that night. Macbeth and his wife used men to make Duncan take alcohol that night before they executed the murder to escape the blame. The next morning Duncan was dead and Macbeth assumed the kingship and killed the perpetrators. After that, incident Duncan’s sons escaped for their lives (Waddell, 2003).
The night of Duncan’s murder, the ghost of Banquo appeared to him and sent him to panic. This scared his guests and made his wife angry. Macbeth visited the witches again due to fear and they gave more prophecies. However, he had to be aware of Macduff, his opponent to take the throne. When he returned Macduff had joined Malcolm in England. Macbeth then killed Macduffs family and took his castle out of fear. That incited Macduff into rage and he invaded Macbeths land with the help of Malcolm (Waddell, 2003).
Lady Macbeth almost got mad and in the event of her suicide, Macbeth became hopeless. Macduff killed Macbeth in the end. Finally, the throne went to the rightful heir who was Malcolm (Lamartine, 1866).
References
Lamartine, A. d. (1866). Shakespeare. Charlotte Corday. Madame Roland. Mirabeau. Danton. Vergniaud. London: Tinsley Brothers,.
Waddell, M. (2003). Literacy World: Comets - Stage 4 Stories 1. London: Heinemann.