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YDS Publishing Simplified Readers. Level A -1. Macbeth. by William Shakespeare. Chapter 1

It is a cold winter in Scotland a thousand years ago. The Scottish army is fighting a

battle with the Norwegian army. The King of Norway wants to invade Scotland. The

Norwegian soldiers are very strong and they are killing a lot of Scottish

soldiers. King Duncan of Scotland is worried because his army is losing the

war. Now King Duncan is at the army camp near his palace at Forest. He is waiting

for some news about the battle. On a cold stormy night a wounded soldier arrives

at the camp and stands in front of the king. He delivers the good news about the

battle. There is blood on his face. He looks very tired but he is very excited and

happy. My lord he cries out. The Norwegian soldiers are running away from the

battlefield. Their general is dead. We are a free country again. He tells the king

about the bravery of one of the soldiers. He also tells him about the death of the

Norwegian general at the hands of this brave soldier. That is wonderful says the

King. Who is that brave soldier? His name is Macbeth. He is the best soldier in the

army of Scotland. Send Macbeth to me at once or does the king to his men. I want

to see him. Then he turns to one of his guards and says take this wounded soldier

to the doctor's tent. Be quick. It is very late at night now. There is thunder

and lightning in the sky. Macbeth is on his way to King Duncan's camp. He is

walking there with another brave soldier. It's his friend Banco. Both Macbeth and

Banco are very tired. It is so difficult to walk in this weather after a long

battle says Macbeth. Yes, we are very tired but we must continue walking, Banco

says. How far is forest from here? Do you know? At that moment they see three witches

standing under a tree. The witches are dancing in a circle. They have very old

clothes on. They are saying strange things. Look at those creatures. Banco

cries out in fear. They are so strange and ugly. They look like old women but

they have beards like men. Then he turns to the witches and asks what kind of

creatures are you? What are you doing? The witches do not answer Banco. They all

look at Macbeth and shout hail Macbeth. Then one of them says hail to you Macbeth

the good soldier. And another one says hail to you Macbeth the general. And finally

the third one says hail to you Macbeth the king. Macbeth is startled now and a

little scared. What are they saying? How do they know my name? He asks Banco. My

dear Macbeth, do not worry. They are saying good things about you. They see

your future. Banco continues speaking to Macbeth. Then he speaks to the witches. Can

you tell me my future too? The three witches look at Banco. One of them says your

sons will be kings but you will not be a king. Then they all shout hail Banco the

father of kings. Macbeth is very excited now. He begins to speak to the

witches. Who are you? How do you know those things about my future? Speak to me, tell

me more, he says to them. But suddenly the witches disappear. Macbeth and Banco look

around for them. They can't see the witches anywhere. They are startled again.

Perhaps they are witches, Banco says. But are they real? Maybe we just imagine them

because we are very tired and sleepy. I think they are real, says Macbeth. Then he

adds, your sons will be kings. That's very good. Banco smiles and says and you

will be the king. But first you will be a general. Macbeth and Banco continue to

walk to forest. On the way they meet two noblemen, Angus and King Duncan's cousin

Ross. We are coming from forest. The king wants to see Macbeth immediately. Ross

says to the two brave soldiers. Then Angus looks at Macbeth and says, the king

also sends his thanks to you Macbeth. And we have some news for you. Then Ross

says, Macbeth, the king is very happy to hear about your bravery. He is very proud

of you. We are going to take you to the king. He will make you the general of our

army. So you are the new general of the Scottish army Macbeth adds Angus. Both

Macbeth and Banco are shocked. They think about the witch's words. Macbeth, the good

soldier and now Macbeth the general. And perhaps I will be the king too. Macbeth

thinks to himself. And to Ross and Angus he politely says, thank you for the news.

Then he whispers in Banco's ear. The witch's words about the future are coming

true. That means you will be the father of kings. I can't believe this. It's so

strange. Is this a good thing for you or a bad thing? Banco says to Macbeth very

quietly. Then he begins a conversation with Angus and Ross. Macbeth thinks to

himself again. Perhaps this is good for me. But it is bad too because I can kill

King Duncan. I want to become the king. Then he is scared of this idea. He says,

oh this is a horrible idea. I must stop imagining things. I don't want to be a

murderer. Look at Macbeth. He is in a shock. Banco says to the two noblemen at

that moment. And he asks Macbeth, are you ready to go to the king? I am ready

and he thanks Ross and Angus for coming there and for giving him the news. They

all set off for the king's camp. Macbeth and Banco arrive at the king's camp at

forest together with the two noblemen. King Duncan is very happy to see Macbeth.

My brave soldier, I want to thank you. All the Scottish people want to thank you

too. You are now the general of the Scottish army, the king says, to Macbeth.

Your highness, it is my duty to serve you and to protect my country, Macbeth says.

I am just doing my duty. My duty to you is like the duty of a servant to his

master. This is the beginning of a new life and new career for you Macbeth, the

king says. Then he speaks to Banco. You are brave just like Macbeth. I am

thankful to you too. Everyone must know this. I am most grateful your highness says

Banco. Afterwards, King Duncan speaks to the soldiers and lords at the camp. My

sons, relatives and lords, I want to give my kingdom to my eldest son Malcolm. So

today I am making him the Prince of Cumberland. Then to Macbeth, he says, let's

go to your castle, Macbeth. I will be your guest for a night. Can I go there

now? I want to give the news to my wife at once. Macbeth says to the king.

And he leaves the camp. On the way, he thinks about the future and makes some

plans. The king's son Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland now, so he will become the

king after Duncan. That's not good for me. I must be the king, he says to himself. I

have many desires. My wishes are horrible. I have horrible plans. I really do not

want to do evil things, but I must.