"Cliff Notes - Macbeth" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cliff Notes)

MACBETH: THE PLOT

On a deserted field, with lightning and thunder overhead, we see
three eerie witches. They chant spells, make plans to meet someone
named Macbeth, and vanish into thin air.

In a military camp not far away are King Duncan of Scotland and some
of his followers. A battle is raging nearby. We learn there is a
rebellion against the King. He is too old to fight himself, and
wants to know how his army is doing.

A badly wounded soldier reports that the battle was horribly bloody
but the brave Thane of Glamis, Macbeth, saved the day, fighting
fearlessly and killing the rebels' leader. (Thanes were Scottish
noblemen.) Duncan is moved by Macbeth's courage.

The Thane of Ross arrives with more news: the Thane of Cawdor, one
of Duncan's trusted captains, is a traitor. When Duncan learns that
his army has won, he orders the Thane of Cawdor executed and
indicates that Macbeth inherit his title.

Before Duncan's men can reach Macbeth to tell him the good news,
Macbeth and Banquo, who have led Duncan's army together, come upon
the three witches. Banquo thinks the three weird women are bizarre
and funny, but Macbeth is strangely fascinated by them. They greet
Macbeth with two predictions: that he will be Thane of Cawdor and
that he will be king. Then they prophesy that though Banquo will
never be a king, his children will be kings. And then the witches
vanish.

Macbeth and Banquo cannot believe their eyes. As they joke uneasily
about the predictions, they are interrupted by Duncan's messengers,
who announce that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor. Suddenly, the
witches are no laughing matter. Macbeth's mind is racing. Could he
actually become king someday? King Duncan personally thanks Macbeth
for his bravery in the following scene, at his palace. But at the
same time Duncan announces that his son Malcolm will inherit the
throne. That is not good news for Macbeth. You can see already that
he wants to wear the crown himself.

At Macbeth's castle, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband
telling her about the witches. It is clear that she will be willing
to do anything to see Macbeth king. When the news arrives that
Duncan will spend the night at her castle, she's amazed at his
stupidity--or his innocence--and thrilled to have the chance to
murder him.

That night, as the royal party is being entertained, Duncan's hosts
secretly plot his death. Macbeth is scared of what he is about to