SCENE 1: THE HEATH
FX: Music. Wind howls. Distant thunder.
NARRATOR: This is a story of ambition, power and murder. It is the story of a manwho would stop at nothing to become King. It is a dark and bloodystory…that starts on a wild Scottish heathland where three witches plotand spin their spells…
SISTER 1: When shall we three meet again?
SISTER 2: In thunder, lightning or in rain!
SISTER 3: When the hurlyburly’s done! When he battle’s lost and won!
SISTER 1: That will be ere the set of sun.
SISTER 2: Where the place?
SISTER 3: Upon…the heath!
ALL SISTERS: There to meet…Macbeth!
FX: A thunderclap.
SCENE 2: THE BATTLEFIELD
NARRATOR: Macbeth. A Scottish lord. Here he is – not far from those witches,leading the Scottish army against a combined force of invadingNorwegians and Scottish rebels…
FX: A medieval battle. Swords clash, bodies collide.
ALL: For King Duncan and Scotland! Kill the rebels!
FX: Sword on sword.
NARRATOR: The battle is long and hard. Macbeth fights with great valour – andeventually –
BANQUO: Macbeth! My lord…Look! The Norwegians and the rebels run!
MACBETH: The battle is won, Banquo.
BANQUO: The day is yours.
MACBETH: And Scotland’s. Come, Banquo! We must find King Duncan - and take himthe good news! Sound the drum!
FX: A drumbeat goes with them.
SCENE 3: ANOTHER PART OF THE HEATH
NARRATOR: Back on the heath, the witches wait…
SISTER 1: Sisters - wait - do you hear?
FX: A single drum beat, distant, approaching.
SISTER 2: A drum! A drum!
SISTER 3: Macbeth doth come!
SISTER 2: Quick - we must finish the spell.
SISTER 1: Thrice to thine…
SISTER 2: And thrice to mine…
SISTER 3: Thrice again makes up nine!
ALL SISTERS: The spell is done!
NARRATOR: Nearby Macbeth and Banquo pause in the gloom upon the heath…
MACBETH: I have never seen such a day. So foul…yet so fair.
BANQUO: Aye!
MACBETH: Banquo - look - in the mist –
BANQUO: What are they? Men? Women?
MACBETH: Are they even human?
FX: Both draw their swords.
BANQUO: Who are you? What are you?
MACBETH: Speak! If you can!
SISTER 3: All hail, Macbeth!
MACBETH (TO BANQUO): How do these creatures know my name?
SISTER 2: All hail, Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor!
MACBETH: But I am not Thane of Cawdor…
BANQUO (TO THE SISTERS): What do you mean? Can you see the future?
MACBETH: What else do you see?
SISTER 3: All hail Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor. And one day - King of Scotland.
MACBETH: No! No - that cannot be, get away from me –
BANQUO: Macbeth - what are you scared of? Why be afraid of good news? (TO THESISTERS) If you really can see into the future…what happens to me? Tellme!
SISTER 1: Hail, Banquo!
SISTER 2: Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
SISTER 3: Not so happy, yet much happier!
SISTER 1: Your children will be kings.
SISTER 2: But you will never be.
ALL SISTERS: So hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
BANQUO: They’re going…
MACBETH: Wait! How can I be Thane of Cawdor? He is still alive! How can I - Macbeth -become king?
BANQUO: And how can I be father of kings - but not be a king myself? They’re gone!
MACBETH: Into thin air!
BANQUO: What were they?
MACBETH: Witches, for sure. Come, we must find the King…
1: The Weird Sisters
Scotland in the 11th century. Macbeth is leading the army for King Duncan against the invading Norwegians and a group of Scottish rebels. Once victory is secure Macbeth and Banquo set off to bring King Duncan the good news.
However on a desolate heath on the way to King Duncan's camp they come across three strange creatures - the 'Weird Sisters', or Witches. The Sisters seem to know exactly who Macbeth and Banquo are. They prophesy that Macbeth will soon be named Thane of Cawdor and later King of Scotland. They also prophesy that Banquo's descendants will become kings.
Macbeth and Banquo want to know more, but the Witches disappear into thin air.
Teacher Notes
This series provides various opportunities to meet Key Stage 2 National Curriculum requirements, including study of a significant author, reading techniques such as prediction, drawing inferences, clarification and summary; and drama and writing opportunities - including poetry performance, descriptive writing, persuasive writing, letter writing, newspaper article writing, poetry and play scripts.
It could be used as an introduction to the play, consolidation of key aspects or for revision of the plot and characters.
More detail on how to use this series, including detailed lesson plans, can be found in the Teacher's Notes PDF.
Teacher's Notes (pdf) document
Information and guidance on using the content
This series is relevant for teaching English at KS2, in England and Wales and Northern Ireland, and at Second Level in Scotland.
2. All Hail, Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor! video
Macbeth and Banquo arrive at King Duncan's camp; Macbeth finds he is now Thane of Cawdor.
3. Daggers for King Duncan. video
Macbeth returns to Dunsinane where Lady Macbeth persuades him to murder King Duncan.
4. All Hail, Macbeth! King of Scotland! video
Duncan's murder is discovered; Malcolm and Donalbain flee, while Macbeth is crowned king.
