The Highland Tale; The King Act One Scene Three Sub Act Six

 PERSONAL AMBITION

ACT ONE

SCENE THREE

SUB ACT SIX

 

MacBeth looked at the crystal columns with their shimmering aura.

It reminded him of the Northern Lights. It described ‘Northern Lights' psychoactive effects as settling in firmly throughout the body, relaxing muscles, and pacifying the mind in dreamy euphoria. Comfortable laziness allows patients to relieve pain and sleeplessness, while its mellow contentment roots out depression and stress.” (https://www.leafly.com/strains/northern-lights).

Later, MacBeth found those words were references to some other 'lights', but he felt the description affirmed his thoughts on the light.

MacBeth felt his presence was not alone. Banquo stood behind him, although the other two had left the citadel.

“Gladis and now Cawdor... I am awed by the magnitude of Cawdor. The land is eight or nine times that of Gladis.” MacBeth was in a euphoric state. He then whispered to Banquo.

“Do you not wish your sons to be Kings? Not Thane, but King.” MacBeth smiled. “A worthy title for anyone.”

“I am unworthy of that. I am...” Banquo looked at MacBeth.

"Shudder, not your ambition, Banquo. The sisters said it was your prophecy. Mine was... Kingship.” MacBeth was taken in by the prophecies.

“I had denounced my beliefs in them. They are... like the others who valued gold to keep, while their lips sweetened yours. Once it was tasted, the urge was... seductive but lacKing in substance.” Banquo tried to reason with the Thane. “You are Thane and have seen many of these.”

“Yet none as poetic.” MacBeth was into his dream.

“If you trust them, then it seems you might eventually become King, not just Thane of Cawdor. But all of this is strange. Often, to lead us to harm, the agents of darkness will first tell us some bit of truth. They win us over by telling us the truth about unimportant things, only to betray us when the consequences will be most terrible.” Banquo drew on the reasoning for it.

“If fate wants me to be King, well, maybe fate will give me the throne without me having to do anything at all.” MacBeth looked at Banquo. “Perhaps there is truth to those words.”

“MacBeth, you are... unreal here.” Banquo struggled with the word here, but later was into himself.

“Two of the prophecies may be more of a coincidence. I could be destined to... More like... no, it will end with my rise to the throne.” MacBeth was in deep thought.

“This supernatural temptation does not seem like a bad omen, but it cannot be ignored. It may be... bad or good, but the” MacBeth was in deeper thought. “The promises of successes that turned out to be true?”

“I was one of Gladis and now the Thane of Cawdor. There was a huge opportunity and... responsibilities, though, but nothing was given freely. I had shed my blood for it. I could have died. But if this is a good thing, why do I find myself Thinking that I am not deserving of it?” MacBeth was in conflict inside of him.

“I feel the horrifying thoughts that make my soul scream to flee, yet my heart pounds unnaturally within my chest for what? Was it to flee, or are the things I should fear less frightening to me than the horrible things I’m imagining?”

“I have killed, but now it feels like every kill was a murderous act. Mary had pleaded with me to stop.” MacBeth thought of his dead wife. “Stop for the sake of your unborn child.”

“Well, they died. She was unable to provide me with a living son. Was it murder then, but committed by whom? My thoughts of murder are just my bane; they shake my very sense of self. I did not murder; I only killed those who stood in my way.”

“I shall say that my ability to act is blocked by these thoughts, and all that matters to me are things that do exist now. I am Thane. And will be.” MacBeth raised his head to stare at the crystals. His action was noted by Banquo.

“Look at him now. He is reflecting.” Banquo looked at the other and spoke with his thoughts. “I saw that look when he was asked if he would be Thane of Gladis. He had pondered then and rode to the palace. He said Elleanor had met him and told him of Ambrose. I am unsure of that, for I knew Elleanor. She would have vouched for her brother.” Banquo looked further into MacBeth’s soul. “It was not her. He wanted the Thane.”

“If the role of the King was to be mine, as had the role of Thane, would it be mine... as I have now with my blood? It may sound too easy.” MacBeth was still in his thoughts.

“New roles are like new attire. It needs to be worn several times to fit comfortably.” Banquo smiled to himself. “MacBeth, you will do it, for I have known you long.” Like brand new clothes, MacBeth’s new titles do not fit as yet until they’ve been worn for a while.”

“Shall we leave, MacBeth?” Banquo asked. “Good MacBeth, we are waiting for you whenever you’re ready to go.

“Pardon me. I was occupied by forgotten thoughts. Let us leave.” MacBeth rejoined his friend. He then whispered to his friend.

“Banquo, we made bold steps today. Your efforts today are in my memory, and I will remember them every day. Let us not keep the King waiting. The King is not to wait for.”

“Very gladly.” Banquo made the move.