Act 1

BATTLE SCENE

Bloody winter is closing all around us. As the battle ended and my fury cooled I felt the chill penetrating my armor like dagger through silk and piercing through my bones. After surveying the battle scene, Banquo and I decided to take the short cut to Forres and leave behind the main party in order to beat the foul storm cloud slowly strangling the fair sky. As our battle worn horses made their way through the ever snaking trail to Forres, we came upon three imperfect speakers, very foul in their appearance. They each hailed me and gave me a prophecy. First one told my current title, Thane of Glamis. Second one told me that I’ll be the Thane of Cawdor. The last one told me that I’ll be the king! They also predicted that Banquo would be the father of kings. Banquo was skeptical of witches so I stopped discussing it, but I could not get my mind off the prophecy.  As we laughed off these ‘ridiculous’ predictions, we ran in to Ross and Angus. They came to place the title Thane of Cawdor upon me! I realized then that those foul creatures already told me two truths. I was divided in the matter of deciding whether this supernatural temptation is fair or foul like the weather itself. As soon as I was left alone I sent a messenger to my castle telling my wife the news. When Banquo and I finally arrived at the palace, the king was waiting for us. He showered us with praise, as he should. What I was really waiting for, the title of Prince of Cumberland, never came to me. When, instead, Duncan   named his son his heir, I had trouble keeping my face from showing my heart’s desire.  As soon as the opportunity presented itself in the form of the king visiting my castle, I took my leave to race ahead to start preparations. My wife was waiting for me with praise and affection. As we conversed, my wife told me of her plan to kill Duncan. As the king arrived, I was unsure whether to follow my wife’s plan. After all, King Duncan was a cousin and a guest at my castle. As I hesitated, my wife called me a coward and convinced me. False face must hide what the false heart doth know.