OOC Let's Chat!

Macbeth
If the murder of the king could be over quickly and with no lasting consequences then it would be done, swiftly and surely. I would put my soul at risk, gladly and take what will come to me in the afterlife. Though sadly this is not how life works, there will be consequences and there will be punishment, from the world and from myself. So what should I do? To commit a crime such as this, would only teach others to commit violence and use it against us who do before. If we commit such crimes, justice forces us to be held accountable and repay for what we’ve done. The king trusts me and yet I’m going to deceive him. I am his kinsman and subject, so I should try to protect him. I am his host, so I should not be considering murdering him but instead closing my door in the murderer’s face. He is humble and free of the corruption that so many others possess, should I really be thinking this at all? His legacy will live on even if he dies, with angelic voices crying out against the unfairness of his murder. Pity will ride on the wind, spreading the news of this terrible deed to all people, in every place and time. People will cry for the loss, they will cry like a shuddering downpour of rain. It will start small, it will escalate, and then it will die down once more into a soft pitterpattering as they let go. I have made my decision, yes indeed I have. I will kill the king tonight but the only question is how? My ambition will push me and I will see it through. I will be king, no matter the cost.

Lady Macbeth enters.

Do you have any news?

Lady Macbeth
He has almost finished dinner. Why did you leave us?

Macbeth
Did he ask for me?

Lady Macbeth
Of course he has!

Macbeth
Well, my decision is final. I will go through with this plan. The king may’ve just honoured me, but I feel the desire, the pull of this future. I feel the weight and anticipation of this deed. Yet, I am ready. I’ll enjoy these honours and the feeling of victory, but then I’ll see to it that this deed is carried out.

Lady Macbeth
Why are you so hopeful? So full of anticipation and longing? All have good opinions of you, yet you want to throw that away? I thought you were joking when you thought of these atrocities! Yes, I like the sound of the witch’s prophecy, but I was sure you wouldn’t go through with it! How are you not afraid to act and take the crown? I would rather have a coward for a husband than one who commits regicide! When you said “I want to” I was hoping you’d say “I won’t”! Have you thought of the repercussions?!

Macbeth
Of course I have! Please, stop saying these words! You’re making me doubt myself! I am but a man, a mortal, a king! I will kill him to get what I want and no one shall stop me!

Lady Macbeth
You were a shell of a man when you first told me this! How are you to go through with the deed?! Where is the soul of the one I love that I hold so dear? How will it survive this torment and terror you’re to put it through?! You’ll be much less the man if you go through with this! The mind, the soul, the heart, they should not be considering such things! The time and place are right, that’s true, but are you right to do this and kill one that you hold so high? Are you able to do this and come out the same man? I doubt it. You’ll be changed, but I’ll be here for you. I may not support your choices, but I’ll stand by you. I will swear this to you now, before my mind can change.

Macbeth
That is good! Thank you for this support! I won’t fail, can’t fail with you at my side. My courage is high, my ambition higher. When Duncan sleeps, we’ll get his servants so drunk that their memory will be cloudy as a rainy day. While they lie asleep, dead to the world, we will kill the unguarded Duncan and blame it all on the servants!

Lady Macbeth
Once we have committed this murder, and covered the servants with blood, will people truly believe they are the culprits and not us?

Macbeth
Who would think it differently? We shall grieve deeply when we find that Duncan is dead.

Lady Macbeth
Well if that’s what you think, don’t let your ambition cloud your judgement.

Macbeth
Well my mind is made up, I’ll commit this crime tonight. Now go and be a friendly hostess. Let's be pleasant and hold close what will happen tonight.

They exit.