| Macbeth The Next Generation |
| As the sun set over the mountains of Scotland, King Malcolm took a glance over his kingdom. Many years had passed since he overthrew Macbeth and reclaimed Scotland. Since then, there had been good times and bad times, times of sorrow and times of joy. An old man now, he had no living male children and his most trusted advisors predicted that he would not survive through the end of the year. As was foretold by Scottish law, Malcolm�s brother, Donalbain, was to be crowned when Malcolm passed into the next life. Donalbain was a very secluded middle-aged man. After fleeing out of the country for fear of his life, he had only returned to Scotland with his wife in recent years, when he learned that he would soon be named King. He knew little of his native country or its traditions, but he was rightful heir to the throne. Though Banquo had been murdered decades earlier upon Macbeth�s order, his son, Fleance, managed to escape the gruesome carnage. Fleance, upon hearing of Donalbain�s impending coronation, remembered a story his father had told him long ago: Banquo and Macbeth encountered three hideous witches who delivered a cryptic message stating that although Banquo would never be king, he would beget them. Accepting this as divine prophecy, Fleance came to realize that he would need to secure his place on the throne by ensuring that Donalbain would never get the chance to attain that status. Though his father�s teachings gave him a strong conscience, Fleance justified his actions with the belief that Donalbain was unqualified to be the King of Scotland. Within days, the intelligent Fleance had already designed a plan to secure the throne for himself. Donalbain would be passing through Fleance�s village the following day. Fleance hired five murderers to kill Donalbain in the middle of the forest and wait for Fleance to arrive. The murderers agreed and proceeded with the murder without much resistance. Even the skilled warrior Donalbain was no match for five men intent on his demise. As they finished their work, the five murderers waited for Fleance to arrive. Hours passed and he refused to show himself. Suddenly, Fleance crept up behind the five men and killed them silently and unexpectedly. By doing so, he guaranteed his passage to the throne. Although Donalbain was dead, Malcolm believed that Fleance had avenged his brother�s death and was therefore in the King�s debt. Fleance, however, was deeply distressed by his actions. The six murders weighed heavily on his conscience, yet he knew he was destined to be King. Several months later, Malcolm passed away, as was predicted. Fleance took the throne and quickly rose in power. Under his rule, the Scottish nation flourished and a new golden age of prosperity arose over the land. Was Fleance well? In his own words, "I have all the power I could ever want and more, my country is prospering, the doctors tell me that I have many years ahead of me, but I have taken the lives of innocent men. So, no, I am not well." |
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