Macbeth William Shakespeare Three Watson Irvine, CA 92618-2767 Website: www.sdlback.com Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM Three Watson Irvine, CA 92618-2767 Website: www.sdlback.com Copyright © 2006 by Saddleback Educational Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher. ISBN 1-59905-149-4 Welcome to Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM We are proud to welcome you to Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM. Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM was designed specifically for the classroom to introduce readers to many of the great classics in literature. Each text, written and adapted by teachers and researchers, has been edited using the Dale-Chall vocabulary system. In addition, much time and effort has been spent to ensure that these high-interest stories retain all of the excitement, intrigue, and adventure of the original books. With these graphically Illustrated ClassicsTM, you learn what happens in the story in a number of different ways. One way is by reading the words a character says. Another way is by looking at the drawings of the character. The artist can tell you what kind of person a character is and what he or she is thinking or feeling. This series will help you to develop confidence and a sense of accomplishment as you finish each novel. The stories in Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM are fun to read. And remember, fun motivates! Overview Everyone deserves to read the best literature our language has to offer. Saddleback’s Illustrated ClassicsTM was designed to acquaint readers with the most famous stories from the world’s greatest authors, while teaching essential skills. You will learn how to: • Establish a purpose for reading • Activate prior knowledge • Evaluate your reading • Listen to the language as it is written • Extend literary and language appreciation through discussion and writing activities. Reading is one of the most important skills you will ever learn. It provides the key to all kinds of information. By reading the Illustrated ClassicsTM, you will develop confidence and the self-satisfaction that comes from accomplishment—a solid foundation for any reader. Remember, “Today’s readers are tomorrow’s leaders.” William Shakespeare William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon, England, the third child of John Shakespeare, a well-to-do merchant, and Mary Arden, his wife. Young William probably attended the Stratford grammar school, where he learned English, Greek, and a great deal of Latin. Historians aren’t sure of the exact date of Shakespeare’s birth. In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway. By 1583 the couple had a daughter, Susanna, and two years later the twins, Hamnet and Judith. Somewhere between 1585 and 1592 Shakespeare went to London, where he became first an actor and then a playwright. His acting company, The King’s Men, appeared most often in the Globe theater, a part of which Shakespeare himself owned. In all, Shakespeare is believed to have written thirty-seven plays, several nondramatic poems, and a number of sonnets. In 1611 when he left the active life of the theater, he returned to Stratford and became a country gentleman, living in the second-largest house in town. For five years he lived a quiet life. Then, on April 23, 1616, William Shakespeare died and was buried in Trinity Church in Stratford. From his own time to the present, Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers of the English-speaking world. William Shakespeare Macbeth Banquo 3 witches Macduff macbeth Duncan Lady Macbeth mACBETH When shall we When the fighting Then we will meet meet again? is over. with Macbeth. In a lonely spot in Scotland, three witches met to make their evil plans. Around their cauldron,* they spoke of going to see Macbeth, a great general** who was at that moment fighting in a war against Norway. * a large kettle ** an army officer of the highest rank 10 It is hard to believe that some people would turn against Many miles away, king their own king! Duncan of Scotland was in an army camp. Good king Duncan was joined Also at the king’s side was a by his two sons, Malcolm and nobleman* named Lennox and many Donalbain. royal attendants.** * a man of high rank, often an advisor to the king ** members of a king’s court mACBETH 11 A bleeding man was brought to Tell my father about him from the field of Battle. the battle, friend! This is the sergeant* who fought to keep me from being captured.** For a long time it seemed that the enemy “Neither army could win against and the king’s forces the other.” were equally matched. * an officer ** taken away by the enemy 12 “Macdonwald, who led the enemy, added some Irish foot soldiers to his forces.” “It seemed that the enemy might now begin to win over the army headed by Macbeth and Banquo.” “But brave Macbeth charged* and killed everyone in his path.” * went forward into battle mACBETH 13 “Raising his sword high in the air, “As he fought, Macbeth finally Macbeth brought it down on the came upon Macdonwald.” rebel’s* chest.” “Then he chopped off Macdon- “Without a leader, the rebels wald’s head.” retreated.** Macbeth had won the battle!” * a person who fights against the leaders of his own country ** moved back or away 14 “Then he went to a nearby castle to rest. While there, he put Macdon- wald’s head on the castle wall to strike fear into the rebels’ hearts. “Meanwhile, king Sweno of Norway arrived with more soldiers.” “General Macbeth and Banquo marched ahead of their army to meet the new charge.” mACBETH 15 But the brave sergeant could not Your wounds* must be looked finish his story. after. My men will take you to the doctor. Forgive me, King Duncan, but I fear I will faint. I can talk no more. From the fighting near Just then two Where have you Fife. Many men were sent noblemen, Ross come from? against Macbeth and his and Angus, army by king Sweno. arrived. King Duncan was eager** to hear what news they brought. * injuries, cuts and gashes received while fighting ** anxious, looking forward to 16 “King Sweno was helped by the “Again it seemed as if we Thane of Cawdor.* He turned would lose.” traitor** to Scotland and fought with the Norwegians against us.” “Then General Macbeth and good Banquo turned the tide of Battle in our favor. King Sweno and the rebels were beaten.” * a Scottish title given to a trusted nobleman ** a person who joins forces with an enemy to fight against his own country mACBETH 17 That is good I will sign a treaty** with King news, Ross. The Sweno. But the thane of Cawdor war is over. must be executed** for being a traitor. Macbeth must be rewarded for his good work. I’ll go and tell I will make him the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth about this at once. * a paper signed to end a war ** killed according to the law 1 Meanwhile, now that the fighting was over, the three witches waited to speak with Macbeth as he left the Battle. What are you? Speak if you can! Crossing the heath,* macbeth and banquo came upon the witches. Hail, Macbeth, Thane of Hail,** Macbeth, Thane of Hail, Macbeth, Cawdor! Glamis! the next King of Scotland! * a stretch of marsh land covered with grass and low bushes ** a greeting mACBETH 1 Do not be so afraid, Macbeth. Macbeth, who was already They have not said anything Thane of Glamis but did not to harm you. yet know Duncan had named him Thane of Cawdor, shuddered* at the witches’ words. He knew the only way he could become king was if good Duncan died. Then Banquo And what do you You will not be a turned and asked say about me? king, but you will the witches a be the father of question. kings. Wait! Why do you say these things? You must When they had tell me more! finished speaking, all three witches vanished** into thin air. * trembled, shook ** disappeared, went away 20 I have good news from the King, Macbeth. You are to be the new Thane of Cawdor. Just then Ross and Angus drew near. How can he do that? The thane of Cawdor is still alive. Duncan has ordered the Thane executed for being a traitor. The Macbeth was stunned.* The king has given you his title. witches’ predictions** were starting to come true. Friend Banquo, what do you make of this? Does it please you that your children will be kings? I don’t trust the witches, Macbeth. * shocked, very surprised ** statements of future happenings mACBETH 21 Sometimes, to get us to do But one of their pre- what is wrong, evil people dictions has already will tell us such things. come true! I thank you, Ross and Angus, for telling me of this. Now let us go to the king. Think about what the witches have said. We will talk about it. 22 Is the rebel Thane of Yes, Father. He died Cawdor executed yet? confessing* his While these treason** against things were Scotland. happening, King Duncan waited for Macbeth in his palace at Forres. Soon after, Macbeth, my cousin! I owe Macbeth, Banquo, you and Banquo much for Ross and Angus saving our country. I shall reached Forres. reward you both greatly. They went to see the king right away.