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MACBETH by William Shakespeare

Episode 2

Adapted by Neil Richards

SCENE 11: LADY MACBETH’S CHAMBER

NARRATOR Macbeth has been crowned King of Scotland. The day of his corona-tion is to end with a great banquet to celebrate. In her bedroom, Lady Macbeth waits for her husband. She’s having second thoughts…

LADY MACBETH All I ever wanted was for Macbeth to be king. Now that he is - I wish it had never happened. Not this way.

MACBETH (ENTERING) Are you ready my queen? We should go down.

LADY MACBETH What are you planning Macbeth?

MACBETH Just wait...

LADY MACBETH I can’t go on like this.

MACBETH You won’t have to. Soon it will be night - and in the night, anything is possible.

LADY MACBETH What do you mean?

MACBETH Best you don’t know. Trust me.

LADY MACBETH But –

MACBETH Come!

SCENE 12: THE HEATH

FX Night.

NARRATOR Out on the heath, night is falling. Banquo and his son Fleance have been hunting and are on their way back to Dunsinane…

FLEANCE Are we nearly home father?

BANQUO Not far now, Fleance. Do you see? Look, through the trees. The lights of the castle.

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FLEANCE There are people on the path.

FX Approaching feet on the path.

ASSASSIN 1 My lord Banquo, is it not?

BANQUO It is indeed. Do you come from Dunsinane?

ASSASSIN 1 We do, sir.

BANQUO Looks like rain tonight.

ASSASSIN 2 Worse than rain – for you.

FX Assassins attack Banquo and they struggle. Sword slides from scabbard...

NARRATOR Before Banquo can draw his sword, the two men attack…

BANQUO It’s a trap, Fleance!

FLEANCE Father!

BANQUO Run Fleance! Run!

NARRATOR Fleance does run…but his father has no time to escape…

FX Sword run in.

BANQUO Aaahh...

ASSASSIN 1 He’s finished. Quick. Get the boy.

ASSASSIN 2 No use. He’s too fast. Gone. We’ll never catch him.

ASSASSIN 1 That’s not good. There’s a feast for the king tonight. We’ll have to tell him there.

ASSASSIN 2 That’ll spoil his party.

ASSASSIN 1 I hope it doesn’t spoil ours too. Come on...

SCENE 13: THE GREAT HALL AT DUNSINANE

FX The crowded hall. A fanfare.

NARRATOR Dunsinane Castle…and the feast to celebrate Macbeth’s coronation…

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SERVANT All rise for the king and queen.

FX The crowd clap Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in rhythmically.

ALL Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!

MACBETH My lords and ladies - welcome! Tonight we will forget the sad past - and think only of the future. So eat, drink and enjoy!

NARRATOR The lords and ladies take their seats as Macbeth’s servant comes to the table and whispers in his ear...

MACBETH Yes, what is it?

SERVANT The two…gentlemen. They have returned.

MACBETH What?

SERVANT They wish to speak with you. Over there, by the door.

MACBETH Ah. Yes. (TO ALL) Some urgent business I must deal with. I shall return.

NARRATOR Macbeth gets up from the table and walks over to the far side of the hall, where the two assassins wait in the shadows.

FX Macbeth passes through the hall, to the quiet corner.

ASSASSINS My lord. / Your majesty.

MACBETH Idiots! What are you doing here? There’s blood on your faces.

ASSASSIN 1 Not my blood.

ASSASSIN 2 Or mine.

ASSASSIN 1 It’s Banquo’s.

MACBETH Is he dead?

ASSASSIN 1 Snick snack.

ASSASSIN 2 Clickety-clack.

MACBETH Excellent! What about the boy - Fleance?

ASSASSIN 1 Bit of a problem there.

ASSASSIN 2 It was very dark.

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ASSASSIN 1 And he was very fast.

ASSASSIN 2 So unfortunately...

ASSASSIN 1 The boy escaped.

MACBETH What? You let him go? Idiots!

ASSASSINS He was too quick your majesty...

MACBETH Never mind. At least Banquo’s dead. We can deal with the boy tomorrow. Now get out of here!

ASSASSINS Your majesty…

LADY MACBETH My royal lord! What are you doing in the shadows there? Come, join us again!

MACBETH Of course, my lady!

NARRATOR Macbeth returns to the table to rejoin the feast…but when he does so…

MACBETH The table’s full…

LENNOX Here’s a place, sir.

MACBETH Where, Lennox?

LENNOX Here - right next to me.

NARRATOR Macbeth looks down the long table. But he can’t see an empty seat. In fact, in the chair next to Lennox he sees a figure, sitting still and

upright.

MACBETH But that seat is taken. There’s somebody - aagh!

NARRATOR Macbeth staggers back. He cannot believe what he sees...

MACBETH Banquo! Banquo sits at the table! His face...bloody. Which one of you has done this?!

ROSS We have done nothing my lord.

MACBETH He’s getting up! Coming closer, no! Get away from me! I didn’t do it! It wasn’t me!

ROSS Gentlemen, rise - the king is not well.

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LADY MACBETH Please, everyone, stay. This is just - an illness. The king has suffered from it since he was a boy. Don’t worry - it will go away. (TO MACBETH) What is wrong with you, Macbeth? Are you a man or what?!

MACBETH Can’t you see it? It’s Banquo! At the table. The devil himself would be scared.

LADY MACBETH Oh yes. Like the dagger in the air you told me about. Look - it’s just a stool! You’re seeing things.

NARRATOR Macbeth looks back at the table – and no longer sees Banquo’s ghost...

MACBETH What? It’s gone!

LADY MACBETH It was never there!

MACBETH No? Right. (TO ALL) Please, everybody, forgive me. I am not myself this evening. We shall have a toast.

FX Clinking glasses.

ALL A toast! A toast!

MACBETH To absent friends!

LENNOX To Banquo!

MACBETH Yes, ha - why not? To Banquo!

ALL To Banquo!

MACBETH Aaghh! No! It’s here again! Get back to your grave, you fiend!

FX Macbeth draws his sword.

I shall fight you, ghost!

LADY MACBETH My lords, ladies. I’m sorry, the king is not well. Please, leave us now. Good night.

FX Theshufflingofchairsandfeetastheyleave.

NARRATOR All the guests leave. Macbeth, still shocked, stares into space. His queen comes close...

LADY MACBETH You need sleep, my lord.

MACBETH Did you notice? Macduff wasn’t here tonight.

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LADY MACBETH Macduff? What are you talking about now?

MACBETH He’s plotting, I’m sure. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Weird Sisters again, find out what else is in store for me. This isn’t over. I’ve stepped in so much blood it’s easier now to spill more than to go back.

LADY MACBETH Come. Let’s get some sleep.

SCENE 14: THE WALLS OF DUNSINANE

NARRATOR On the walls of Dunsinane Castle, the two noblemen Ross and Lennox have found a quiet place where they cannot be overheard.

ROSS These are strange times, Lennox, strange times.

LENNOX Aye Ross, you are right. First Duncan is killed. And his sons flee.

ROSS Because they were the murderers - so says Macbeth.

LENNOX And then Banquo is killed and his son Fleance runs away.

ROSS And Macbeth says Fleance was the killer.

FX A door in the castle slams below.

Shh! Is that someone coming?

LENNOX Even up here we’re not safe.

ROSS And now Macduff has disappeared.

LENNOX Not disappeared. Fled to England.

ROSS Why?

LENNOX He’s gone to join Malcolm. They are going to raise an army to come up here and save us from Macbeth.

ROSS Does Macbeth know?

LENNOX Yes – and is planning his revenge on Macduff.

ROSS God help Macduff.

LENNOX God help all of us.

ROSS Come on. Let us leave this place - while we can.

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SCENE 15: THE HEATH

NARRATOR Out on the heath the witches make their spells...

SISTER 1 By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.

SISTER 2 Open locks, whoever knocks!

NARRATOR And Macbeth approaches them on horseback…

FX Thefallofhoovesandclinkofharness.

MACBETH What devil’s work are you up to now, you midnight hags?

SISTER 3 A recipe without a name!

MACBETH I want to know more of the future. Will you tell me? I need answers.

SISTER 1 Speak, Macbeth.

SISTER 2 Demand.

SISTER 3 We’ll answer.

MACBETH First question. Tell me -

WITCHES No need to ask the questions. We know your thoughts.

SISTER 1 Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff!

MACBETH I knew it. Macduff is dangerous...

SISTER 2 Be bloody, bold and resolute! No man who’s ever been born to a woman can harm you!

MACBETH Then I’m safe! No human can ever harm me!

SISTER 3 And last...you will never be beaten in battle till Birnam Wood comes to Dun-sinane!

MACBETH How can a wood get up and move somewhere else? Never! I’m safe! One more question -

SISTER 1 Banquo’s children. Shall they be kings?

FX A horse approaching.

LENNOX Your majesty! It’s me – Lennox.

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MACBETH Don’t be afraid, Lennox. Do you see them?

LENNOX See who my lord?

MACBETH The weird sisters of course. But they’ve gone! They didn’t answer –

LENNOX Are you not well, my lord?

MACBETH More than well, Lennox! Now, what news?

LENNOX Messengers say Macduff has raised an army in England, my lord. And is on his way.

MACBETH Traitor! He’ll pay for this. I’ll take his castle. Kill his wife, his children, his family. Come!

FX Both exit on horseback.

SCENE 16: A ROOM IN DUNSINANE CASTLE

NARRATOR Dunsinane Castle: nighttime. Lady Macbeth’s servant is worried and has summoned a doctor to the queen’s rooms...

SERVANT Just here, Doctor.

DOCTOR This is where the queen walks?

SERVANT Every night.

DOCTOR And you think she’s asleep each time?

SERVANT I’m sure of it. She says things - but look! Here she comes!

FX Footsteps approach. Lady Macbeth muttering...

Watch.

DOCTOR Her eyes are open!

SERVANT But they do not see.

DOCTOR What’s she doing now?

SERVANT Every night she goes to the bowl on the table there.

DOCTOR She’s washing her hands. But there’s no water.

SERVANT She’s talking to herself. We can get closer - she does not see us.

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LADY MACBETH Out damned spot! Out I say! Hell is murky!

DOCTOR We’re hearing things we shouldn’t.

LADY MACBETH Will these hands never be clean?

SERVANT Heaven knows what she really knows.

LADY MACBETH The smell of blood is still there.

DOCTOR This isn’t an illness I can cure.

LADY MACBETH I tell you Banquo’s dead and buried…

DOCTOR So that’s it? Banquo?

LADY MACBETH ...he can’t come out of the grave!

SERVANT And you say you can’t cure her?

DOCTOR She needs a priest not a doctor.

SERVANT God forgive us all.

DOCTOR We must go. And you had better forget what we just heard - or we’re all dead.

SCENE 17: THE HEATH NEAR DUNSINANE

FX Soldiers marching, distant trumpet sounds. Drums.

NARRATOR In England Malcolm and Macduff raise a great army. It marches north to Dunsinane and prepares to do battle with the Macbeth, whose crimes now include the murder of Macduff’s wife and children. Angus and Lennox meet on the heath. They too have raised an army and are ready to fight Macbeth…

FX Horses approach, are reined in.

LENNOX What news Angus?

ANGUS The English army is near, Lennox, led by Malcolm and Macduff. They have come for revenge!

LENNOX And we shall join them. Poor Macduff - he knows his family are all dead?

ANGUS He’s vowed to kill Macbeth in revenge.

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LENNOX You think Macbeth ordered their deaths?

ANGUS I know it. Macbeth is mad. His murders stick to his hands.

LENNOX Onward to Birnam Wood! We’ll meet our new allies there!

FX Their horses gallop away.

SCENE 18: A ROOM IN DUNSINANE CASTLE

NARRATOR At Dunsinane Castle Macbeth gets ready to lead his army into battle. The room is busy as soldiers and servants rush around.

MACBETH You! Out of my sight! I want no more reports from the battlefield!

SERVANT Your majesty!

MACBETH Birnam Wood cannot come to Dunsinane. It’s impossible – do you all under-stand? And Malcolm was born of woman. So nothing can touch me!

NARRATOR A soldier arrives with news…

BODYGUARD My lord...

MACBETH Yes! What is it?

BODYGUARD The English army comes near, my lord! Ten thousand soldiers! MACBETH All right then! Put on my armour! And you there - yes you, skulking - what do

you want with me?

DOCTOR My lord, your wife...

MACBETH Who are you?

DOCTOR The doctor, my lord. Your wife, sir, is sick...

MACBETH What’s the matter with her?

DOCTOR She is…troubled...

MACBETH She’ll be fine. Come on! Give me my lance! And let us go!

DOCTOR My lord...

MACBETH I’m not scared of death - till Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane. To the battle!

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SCENE 19: THE HEATH NEAR DUNSINANE

FX Two great armies mingle. Horses. Trumpets. Marching.

NARRATOR The moment has come. The army of Malcolm and Macduff unites with that of Angus and Lennox...

MALCOLM Lennox! Angus! You are welcome to the fight.

LENNOX Malcolm! It is good to see you. All of Scotland rises up against Macbeth.

ANGUS Macduff! We heard the news of your family.

MACDUFF Aye. The time has come, Angus. My wife and children will be avenged!

MALCOLM And my father too!

LENNOX Macbeth and his men are in Dunsinane. We will lay siege to the castle.

MACDUFF We have all the thanes with us. You there - what is your name?

SIWARD Siward, my lord.

MALCOLM Are you ready for the fight?

SIWARD The tyrant must die, my lord Malcolm.

MALCOLM Good man! Now this forest before us – how is it known?

SIWARD It is called Birnam Wood, my lord.

MALCOLM Lennox! Tell the troops to cut down the trees and hold the branches in front of them - the enemy won’t know how strong we are!

LENNOX Come lads!

FX Horses head off at a gallop.

SCENE 20: A ROOM IN DUNSINANE

NARRATOR In the castle Macbeth is put into his armour…

FX Clink of armour and buckles etc.

MACBETH Tighter, here! You - tell my lady I am about to leave for battle.

BODYGUARD Yes, my lord.

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MACBETH Are the flags flying?

BODYGUARD 2 On every wall, my lord.

MACBETH They cannot beat us.

BODYGUARD 2 No, my lord.

FX Macbeth carries on buckling up his armour.

BODYGUARD The queen, my lord…

MACBETH What?

BODYGUARD …is dead.

MACBETH Dead? She should have lived until the battle ends. There’s no time now - give me my sword.

SOLDIER My lord I have news from the castle walls...

MACBETH Come on - spit it out!

SOLDIER I…I don’t know how to tell you.

MACBETH Just say it!

SOLDIER 1 As I stood watch - I looked towards Birnam. And the wood was moving.

MACBETH Liar!

SOLDIER No. It is true my lord. See, through the window there...

NARRATOR Macbeth steps to the window and looks out across the heath to the far hills...

MACBETH So Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Just like the Weird Sisters said. There is no running away now. The prophesy comes true...

SCENE 21: THE HEATH OUTSIDE DUNSINANE

NARRATOR Outside Malcolm and his army are advancing…

FX Drums and marching.

MALCOLM We are at the castle walls! Throw down your branches!

MACDUFF Sound the trumpets!

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MALCOLM Let’s to war!

FX The soldiers beat their shields with their swords.

ALL To battle!

SCENE 22: ANOTHER PART OF THE FIELD

FX Themidstofthehandtohandfighting.

NARRATOR As the battle rages it seems Macbeth is unbeatable. He cuts through the enemy forces, his sword flying…

MACBETH I am invincible! No-one can touch me. Die!

SOLDIER Aaggh!

MACBETH I shall fight forever!

FX Swords clash.

SIWARD Macbeth – worse than the devil!

MACBETH Prepare to die -

SIWARD Tyrant!

FX Swords clash.

SIWARD Aaggh…

MACBETH Fool. You were born of woman. I cannot die.

MACDUFF Turn, hell-hound, turn!

MACBETH Macduff! Get back. I don’t want to fight you.

MACDUFF Murderer!

FX The clash of swords.

MACBETH You’re wasting your time. There is a spell on me. You cannot kill me - you were born of a woman.

MACDUFF No, Macbeth, I wasn’t. I was cut from my mother’s womb before her time...

MACBETH What? Curses on you for telling me!

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MACDUFF Surrender then.

MACBETH Never. Lay on Macduff! And damned be him that first cries ‘Hold, enough!’

FX Fadeoutasthefightcontinues.

SCENE 23: THE GREAT HALL AT DUNSINANE

NARRATOR As the battle draws to a close, prince Malcolm waits for news in the hall of Dunsinane Castle…

ROSS Where is my lord Malcolm?

MALCOLM Ross - I am here. Is it over?

ROSS The day is yours, my lord. Every part of the castle is taken.

ALL Hurrah!

MALCOLM You have fought bravely, Ross. But what of the tyrant? Does Macbeth live still?

ROSS Look my lord! Here comes Macduff!

MACDUFF Hail King Malcolm! I bring you news of Macbeth. He is here - what’s left of him! His head - on a pole! See!

ROSS We are free again!

MACDUFF My loyal thanes! Join with me! Hail Malcolm - rightful King of Scotland!

ALL Hail Malcolm, King of Scotland! God save the king! God save the king!

NARRATOR So everything the witches said came true. And whatever the reason – whether it was the witches who caused these things to happen or whether Macbeth was master of his own fate – Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both dead now. And Scotland – for now - is free again.

THE END

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