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Malcolm vs. Macbeth
Ever since Malcolm's ambiguous escape to England after his father's death, rumors have emerged that, with the help of King Edward and Siward, Malcolm plans on retaking Scotland. This, of course, is a direct threat towards Macbeth, the current King of Scotland. I have decided to take a look at which one of these men is the most qualified to lead our great country.
Macbeth's rise to power was a bit unexpected to say the least. Upon Duncan's death, his two sons fled, so the next in line was Macbeth. It wasn't until now that becoming King of Scotland became a possibility for him, which begs the question: was he ever prepared for this role?
Since his crowning, there hasn't been much change at all, really. In fact, if anything, a bizarre increase in the number of murders of nobles has brought about a suspicious view of Macbeth. Some have even suggested that he has been the one ordering these murders.
Others citizens have gone as far as to say, "those he commands, move only in command, nothing in love". Perhaps his soldiers know more than we do, and for that reason, they do not feel loyalty towards him. Another person has even said "now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief".
If anything, I would think that Macbeth feels a bit too great and grand to be King of Scotland, but it seems that others believe it is quite the opposite.
Malcolm, on the other hand, does have his faults as well. If Macbeth is so evil, then we only have Malcolm to blame for leaving us behind with this "tyrant". People close to him have mentioned that he is not all that humble either, but if he is the real son of Duncan, then there must be some good in him.
In weighing the pros and cons of each man being King of Scotland, I believe that Malcolm would be the most suitable for the role.
Paula Estrada
Dunsinane under threat
It began with the bustling and swaying of trees, and then, as a messenger put it, "I looked toward Birnam and anon methought the wood began to move". The moving of trees is actually that of "ten thousand soliders" camouflaged, marching towards Dunsinane, the obvious target: Macbeth.
As one might expect, and as predicted by the witches, it is Macduff, accompanied by Malcolm, Siward and his son.
Many predict that Macduff will be triumphant, but eyewitnesses say that Macbeth is feeling confident and invincible. This is probably due to the witches' prophecy that he will not be harmed by anyone of "woman born". Many believe that he is unaware that Macduff was actually "from his mother's womb ultimately ripped". If anything though, Macbeth should be alarmed by the moving forest, another one of the witches' predictions.
To many it seems that Macbeth's demise will be inevitable, but who knows how many lives will be taken until then?
What do you think of Malcolm taking over England?
Write a letter to the editor at: [email protected]
Letters To The Editor
Most recent predicitions regarding Macbeth
I was intrigued by your article on the three sisters a few days ago, and was wondering if you had heard of their most recent predictions regarding Macbeth? I realized that you have not reported on the matter yet, so I thought I would tell you the story: apparently Macbeth went back to the three witches out of fear of that someone may be after his power.
Word is, the witches gave him three new prophecies: he said to "beware Macduff", that "none of woman born" would hard him, and that he will never be "vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him".
All these predictions seem a bit far-fectched, and quite impossible.
I was curious to know whether you had heard anything about this? Seeing that you have not reported on this, I was wondering whether it was just rumor.
Jenny Smith, Glasgow
Macduff has fled to England
How would you respond to innuendo that Macduff has fled to England? People say that he has fled to ally with Malcolm, one of Duncan's sons, who is supposedly plotting against Macbeth.
I am curious to hear what you have to say about this, considering that if this is true, it would mean yet another change in leadership for us Scots.
Daniel Dyer, St. Andrews
Macduff's Family is Murdered
Macduff's castle has been seized and his family murdered last night in Fife. There were no eye witnesses as Macduff's servants were killed along with his family. Experts say that the work seems to have been done by professionals.
Ross, cousin of Macduff, did say that he had stopped by the castle a few hours earlier and everything and everyone was fine then. The only thing that seems to be strange is the absence of Macduff. He was not at the castle at the time of the murders, and had been missing for a couple days then. Now there is still no word or public statement from Macduff. The only possibility is that rumors, as mentioned by our readers, that Macduff has fled to England to allign with Malcolm against Macbeth, are true.
If word of his fleeing got around to Macbeth, it is possible that he could be behind the cruelty inflicted upon Macduff's family. But right now, this is all mere speculation.
Q&A With Macbeth, King of Scotland
Q: How do you respond to rumors that Macduff has fled to England to rally with others against you?
A: These are not rumors. This has been confirmed, Macduff is a traitor. He has been disloyal to me, and I will do everything in my power to make sure that his attempts to dethrone me and destabalize Scotland do not succeed.
Q: People have claimed that your wife is ill, can you comment on her condition?
A: Right before entering this interview I was told that she has passed on. I cannot give any fruther details. It is a pity, though, I wish she had died a little later on.
*It was later disclosed that Lady Macbeth, Queen of Scotland, had taken her own life.
MACBETH IS ILL AT BANQUET
Witnesses at Macbeth's most recent banquet attest that he was "not well". In the middle of the party, he went hysterical as he accused the guests of planting something. Many said that he seemed to be hallucinating. Lady Macbeth assured the guests that the "lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth". But he continued to cry out, seeming to talk with his hallucinations. He referred to his hallucinations as something "which might appall the devil".
Macbeth continued to make references to death. Witnesses recall him saying, "If charnel-horses and our graves must send those we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites". For a while, many did not know what he was speaking of, but a few nights later, word came that Banquo had been killed. Guests from the banquet later told us that they thought that perhaps Macbeth had a premonition about his best friend's upcoming death.
Banquo was not present that night, but witnesses say that Macbeth did keep referring to how unfortunate it was that Banquo could not attend.
One can only imagine what this newly crowned king must be dealing with after taking on a kingdom and losing his best friend in such a short period of time.
Banquo had served alongside Macbeth for years and had grown to become one of his best and closest friends. Most recently, Banquo had helped Macbeth achieve great victory at the battle against the King of Norway. Banquo was with his son, Fleance, when he was seized, but he managed to escape. No one knows where is now.
R.I.P. BANQUO
In loving memory of Banquo (1966-2014): a loving friend and father.
Lady Macbeth is Haunted
Lady Macbeth was seen sleepwalking in a strange fashion in the corridors of her castle last night.
She was seen by her gentlewoman and doctor. The gentlewoman declined to comment further, saying, "I will not report after her. Neither to you, nor anyone".
The doctor did tell us that she seemed to rub her hands together as if she was trying to wash something off of them. She continually made references to blood and death. The doctor did not say much more, as he did not want to speak out about private matters concerning his queen, but he did say this, "More needs she the divine than the physician".
We can only speculate what thoughts are haunting her mind at present.
The Scotland Chronicle
£1.00 Issue #32 Edinburgh June 2, 2014
MACBETH KILLS KING DUNCAN
In a twisted turn of events, Macbeth, the once loyal Thane of Glamis, has killed King Duncan. At the moment his motives are unclear. He had recently been promoted to Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan for his triumphant battle efforts against the King of Norway. King Duncan later spent the night at Macbeth's castle, where, the next morning, he was found dead by Macduff.
Neighbors and other citizens explain that they had a feeling something was wrong. Strange occurrences gave the night an eerie feeling about it. An Old Man describes, "A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed". Ross, a vassal under Duncan, also mentions the bizzare happenings that night, "And Duncan's horses, a thing most strange and uncertain, beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, contending 'gainst obedience as they would make war with mankind".
Macduff, upon entering Duncan's chambers, found him and his two guards killed. It seems as though Macbeth had attempted to frame the guards.
Not more is known yet, only that the words "horror" and "treason" seem to haunt everyone's minds at the moment.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
US Solider Freed by Taliban
US solider Bowe Bergdhal has been released by the Taliban in Afghanistan after being held captive for over five years. This comes after the US made a deal with the Taliban that they would release five Afghan detainees being held in Guantanamo Bay, in exchange for Sgt. Bergdhal. After the Afghan detainess were released, they were handed over to Qatar, which mediated the deal.
Obama told reporters that Sgt. Bergdhal was "never forgotten". Bergdhal was the only US solider being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
FIFA Faces Corruption Allegations
The Sunday Times has "millions" of secret documents, including emails, letters, and bank transfers, which it alleges are proof that the Qatari football official, Mohamed Bin Hammam, made payments totalling $5 million in return for their support in the FIFA 2022 Qatar bid. Qatar denies any wrongdoing and insists that Bin Hammam never had any official role in supporting the bid and acted independently from the Qatar 2022 Campaign.
India's Economic Growth Disappoints
India's economy grows as a slower-than-predicted annual pace of 4.6% between January and March.
See Page 12
Witches' Prophecy is Realized
The three witches', or "three weird sisters'" as put by Banquo, prediction of Macbeth becoming King of Scotland has been realized. According to Banquo, who was on the scene when the witches anounced their prediction, it was an unnatural sight to say the least. Banquo even thought that they had "eaten on the insane root that takes reason prisoner".
Apparently the three sisters had predicted that Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, was to become Thane of Cawdor and later King. After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth is now set to be crowned King. There is no scientific explanation for how the sisters managed to make this prediction.
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