ShakespeareMacbeth begins with witches who approach Macbeth and
Banquo, two of King Duncan's military leaders. Macbeth is hailed as thane
of Glamis, thane of Cawdor, and king; Banquo is described as the father
of kings. When Macbeth, already thane of Glamis, assumes the title of
thane of Cawdor when that traitor is executed, he sees himself as having
achieved two-thirds of the witches' prophecy. He and Lady Macbeth plot
the murder of Duncan, who is soon to arrive at Macbeth's castle. Spurred
on by his wife, Macbeth kills
Duncan and the guards who have been
drugged by Lady Macbeth. Macbeth stabs the guards, whom he accuses as
murderers. When Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan's two sons, who ac-

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