Macbeth’s Journal

Act l

Entry 1: Today three witches came to me as I was with Banquo. They greeted me with titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland! How can this be so? I am already Thane of Glamis, but not the latter two. Banquo thinks it is a predication, but I do not. How could it be true?

-Macbeth

Entry 2: Alack! I am wrong. The King named me Thane of Cawdor! He said my bravery, courage, loyalty, and good fighting has raised me to this position. He personally congratulated me and now wants to come with me home. Were the witches right? If so, will I be King of Scotland?! Oh, how I wish this would be so…but how can it happen? I have great ambition to be king…hmmm… King Duncan just told me he named Malcolm prince. I’ll I would have to do is get Malcolm and Duncan out-of-the-way for me to be king…I will write to my wife so she can help me know what to do. Until I write again.

-Macbeth

Entry 3: My wife thinks we should kill King Duncan and I agree. We are both ambitious to do so. She has a plan, but I am a little unsure of doing it. The King is my cousin, he is good and virtuous…I am the host and he is my guest! Killing him would be viewed as a horrid deed! Nevertheless, the only way to be king would be for me to kill King Duncan. My ambition is taking over. I am ready to take action!

-Macbeth

Act 2

Entry 1: The night is drawing on. The guards are slumbering low because of the wine my wife had given them. It is time to do my plan to be King. One bloody move will give me what I desire.

-Macbeth

Entry 2: I did it…the horrible deed. The innocent blood I spilt to get power! My wife finishes the job as she spreads blood on the guards to show they are at blame…what is that? Knocking? I must end.

-Macbeth

Entry 3: It was hard to pretend that I did not do it. Others came and witnessed the King’s death. The princes (Malcolm and Donalbain) fled. The people now suspect them and voted me king. Now I am off to be crowned King of Scotland!

-Macbeth

Act 3

Entry 1: I am King Macbeth of Scotland! I was crowned and now rule Scotland. But, there is a problem…now that I know the witches predictions are correct, I must stop Banquo’s predictions from happening. He was foretold that his sons would rule Scotland. I have sent for three murders and they will follow Banquo and Fleance (his son) and finish them off. I must prepare for the banquet tonight.

-Macbeth

Entry 2: I am distraught! At the banquet tonight I learned that the murders did their job: Banquo is dead…but Fleance escaped. And at the Banquet I saw the ghost of Banquo! It frightened me so. Why has he come?! I was the only witness of it. Oh my terrible deeds! I acted hysterical and my wife had to cover me. I am going back to see those witches!

-Macbeth

 Act 4

Entry 1: I went to the witches and they told me my future by summoning three apparitions. The first was of an armed head and I was told to beware of Macduff. The second was the form of a bloody child and the witches told me that no man born of a women shall harm me. I need not fear anymore. The third was a child crowned with a tree in his hand and said that I won’t die until the Birnam Wood shall come against me. I am pleased with my predictions.

-Macbeth

Act 5

Entry 1: My wife has died of a mental disorder! Caused mostly by the anguish of the acts we have committed. “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow!” I wish my wife could have died later when we weren’t at this tension of war! I am filled with sadness and despair. I have a disdain for life….What is that?! A messenger has just arrived saying the Birnam Wood is moving towards the Castle! The apparition! My rule it coming to an end. I will die fighting!

-Macbeth

Conclusion

Macduff killed Macbeth in the end of the play. The life of Macbeth was a horror indeed. His and his wife’s ambition and horrible actions caused the death of many including themselves. In the end of his life Macbeth truly learned that ambition is dangerous and his resulted in many people dying.