DUNCAN’S
LOYALTY
ACT
ONE
SCENE
FOUR
SUB
ACT TWO
The
newly arrived walked towards the King and then bowed their respect. They have
removed their sabres from the Palace Guards, but their attire is unchanged.
“My
King, we came when we were summoned. I had with General MacBeth the Thane of
Gladis and now the Thane of Cawdor.” Ross spoke first before he stepped aside
to let MacBeth approach the King.
“My
noble general. I am pleased to meet you once more.” King Duncan met the Thane
before, but casually for Gladis, it was a small plot of land. “How do you fare,
my nephew?”
“I
am well, my King.” MacBeth smiled.
“Your
accomplishments are heard by me. Laborious and brave and hurtful, as I was
told, you were wounded in battle. You have done so much for the land and the King,
and no matter how fast I try to reward you, I haven’t been able to give you
enough.”
“I
am honoured to serve the King.” MacBeth bowed to the King.
“If
you deserved less, then perhaps the balance between what I can reward and what
you deserve could be tipped in... Both’s favour.” A tinge of sarcasm, or was it
a hint of fear? The King hid his meaning well.
“But
all I have left to say is that I owe you more than I can ever repay.” The King
smiled. It was a good move by the King to test the loyalty of the Thane.
“The
loyalty I feel to you and the chance to serve you is its own reward.” MacBeth
found his words well. “Your Highness’s duty is to accept our loyalty and
service, while our duty to your Kingship and country is similar to that owed by
children to their father or servants to their master: we’re only doing
what we should when we do all we can to protect you.”
“Aye,
Thane. I hailed you as... loyal to my Kingship." King Duncan laughed. “We
live in troubled times now. The borders are on guard from the invaders, and
within the borders, unchained... loyalty needs to be bridled.”
“I
stand with you, my King.” MacBeth bowed once more.
“For
that, I will work to help you grow into a great future.” King Duncan laughed.
“Perhaps your own Kingship.”
That
last remark drew gasps from the gathered. The King then looked towards Banquo.
“The
fearless Colonel and loyal friend of the Thane. I bid you welcome, Colonel...”
“Colonel
Banquo of Gladis, my King. I am...” Banquo was cut off by the King.
“Noble
Banquo, you are just as deserving as MacBeth, as everyone should and must know.
Let me bring you close and hold you to my heart.” The King gestured to the
officer. Come forth.”
Banquo
took the approach and stood, looking at the King.
“My
loyalty, your highness. If I grow to greatness, it will be a benefit to you as
well.”
“It
brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart; I must tell them all.” King Duncan
laughed, “To my sons, relatives, Thanes, and all those who are most close to
me, I hereby proclaim that the heir to my throne is my eldest son, Malcolm,
whom we will now call the Prince of Cumberland. He will not be alone in gaining
new titles—new titles of nobility, like stars, will shine on all who deserve
them.”
That
announcement surprised the gathered and left Banquo in an awkward position,
standing there before the King, and yet nothing was rewarded to him but some
words of praise. He looked towards MacBeth, who motioned for him to step back.
“Let
us rejoice, Thane of Cawdor. We will see to your new dwelling there at Cawdor.”
The King looked at MacBeth. “But for now, we dine at your home. Bring your
family, General. They will like the news.”
“I
hold none, my King." My wife died at childbirth with my child.” MacBeth
replied.
“Then
I will find you a fitting lady to give you more children.” King Duncan smiled.
He then looked to his sons. “As I have a pair of my own.”
“Shall
we, my sons?”
“May
I be excused, Father? I am unwell.” Donalbain bowed to his father and left
without a reply from the King. MacBeth watched the royal family, and his
thoughts went far and deep. The departing sight of the royal family weighs on
him then, as if they may turn back onto him.
And
his ambition.
“Return
to yours then, Donal. I am sure Esther needs her lover now.” King Duncan
excused his son. Donalbain took leave and the King watched his son depart.
“An
part of me ails for him, but does he pick his foes and friends well? I hope
so.” King Duncan said to himself on Donalbain. Unseen by him, the King was
studied by another there.
“Malcolm
is the Prince of Cumberland! Well, he may stand between me and my Kingship.
It will be no with me moving for him or above me; none will give me up on my
hopes of Kingship.” MacBeth thought to himself. “Not even this or the next King.”
“Stars,
the prophecy stated that I would be King. Do not hide your brightness so that
my evil desires are hidden from the light. I do what is needed and hold my
hands, not what is mine to hold. Yet if I am halted, I will do the thing that
my Kingship requires. I will see it once it is done.”
“I
leave now. There is much to be prepared for your arrival.” MacBeth bowed to the
King, He left with the other Thanes.
Unseen
by the Thanes’, King Duncan stood by the opening of the palace’s wall and
looked at them departing. He spied on one named Banquo.
“Lennox,
I can see the potential of Banquo there. His loyalty to MacBeth is heroic, and
through MacBeth I may be rewarded, but that marked that man. He is of the King’s
blood and, if not, will lead the ones to be Kings. He is the unequal as a Thane
or... he could be the Father of the Kings.”
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