

When Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus join Duncan, he offers thanks to Macbeth and Banquo. Act 1, scene 4 Duncan demands and receives assurances that the former thane of Cawdor has been executed.Almost as soon as they are gone, Ross and Angus arrive with news that the king has named Macbeth “Thane of Cawdor.” Macbeth contemplates killing Duncan in order to become “king hereafter” as the witches have called him.


They comfort him with ambiguous promises.Another nobleman, Macduff, rides to England to join Duncan’s older son, Malcolm. Macbeth determines to consult the Weïrd Sisters again. At a royal banquet that evening, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost appear covered in blood. Fearing that Banquo’s descendants will, according to the Weïrd Sisters’ predictions, take over the kingdom, Macbeth has Banquo killed. When Macbeth arrives at his castle, he and Lady Macbeth plot to assassinate King Duncan, soon to be their guest, so that Macbeth can become king.After Macbeth murders Duncan, the king’s two sons flee, and Macbeth is crowned. Three “Weïrd Sisters” appear to Macbeth and his comrade Banquo after a battle and prophesy that Macbeth will be king and that the descendants of Banquo will also reign. Entire Play Macbeth, set primarily in Scotland, mixes witchcraft, prophecy, and murder.
