Task 1

Therapist hears a loud knock on the door.

Therapist: Please. Come in.

Macbeth enters and sits down on the chair opposite of the Therapist. Macbeth shifts in his seat, but looks as if nothing could harm him.

Therapist: Macbeth, How are you doing today?

Macbeth: Better, the horrible shadow of Banquo vanished. I do not see him anymore. I am a man again.

Therapist: That sounds wonderful. We are making great progress. But now lets start from the beginning. Tell me, Macbeth why did you believe the witches?

Macbeth: Since I had found out than I had become Thane of Cawdor I realized if chance will have me King, chance my crown me, since the witches had told me. At first I had been a bit unsure about the situation because I had thought that I had gotten borrow’d robes. But then I realized all the things I could achieve but at the same time I didn’t want anybody to find out my black and deep desires so I had wished for the stars to hide their fires. But now I know it was all worth it. I do not regret ANYTHING.

Therapist: Why did you feel killing King Duncan as the right thing to do?

Macbeth: I knew that I could become King and then suddenly I had seen a dagger before me. It had clearly ordered me to do the deed. I had not known whether the dagger had been real or a false creation. I just knew the deed had to be done and I was the one to do it. The blood on the dagger showed me the purpose of which I was destined to do, the blade had gouts of blood, which was not so before. It frightened me, but not blinded me to see the true thing I had to do.

Therapist: How did you feel after the murder on King Duncan?

Macbeth: I was afraid to think what I had done. I knew it had been wrong to kill the King as his host but what had been done cannot be undone. Not even a great ocean could have washed this blood entirely clean from my hand. I felt horrible but my wife had the situation under control and I knew I could trust her.

Therapist: Did you think it right from the beginning on to kill the King?

Macbeth: No, of course not. I had really liked the King and he had been a dear friend of mine and he had been a very good King. I had talked to my wife and told her that we would proceed no further in this business, but she would not hear me. I trust my wife and she was the one that told me to stick to the plan, so we did.

Therapist: You mention your wife quite a lot. How is your relationship?

Macbeth: Of course we disagree sometimes, but otherwise it is wonderful….

Therapist: So you think your relationship is perfect?

Macbeth looks away from the therapist and shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

Macbeth: Well, sometimes she assaults me and tells me I am a coward and not a man. She is a very strong person and makes me feel less like a man. On the other hand I trust her very much and she is there for me if I don’t know how to proceed. But she called me an infirm of purpose when I mentioned that I dare not look on’t again when she told me to go back to the chamber when I had just killed Duncan. She doesn’t quite understand me but we have a very strong bond and I could not bear to live without her. Throughout the process we have gone through, our bond has become more and more stable.

Therapist: That sound good, but now on to other issues. Do you never realize the difference between good and evil?

Macbeth: As is mentioned before I had thought it wrong at the beginning to kill Duncan but then I realized it had to be done. My wife told me to look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t. This isn’t the question of what the difference between good and evil is but what is the necessary thing to do.

Therapist: Tell me what exactly happened at the banquet. It seems to be that this is a very sensitive subject.

Macbeth looks uneasy at the clock, he was longing for the session to end. He dare not look at the Therapist.

Macbeth: Well it started all very well; I gave my guests at last the hearty welcome. But then my men came in and told me the news of Banquo. Of course I was very happy about Banquo being dispatch’d but then….

Therapist: Go on, tell me.

Macbeth: Well...it isn’t that easy to explain. I had invited Banquo but he hadn’t come so the table wasn’t bound to be full, but suddenly I saw HIM.

Therapist: Him?

Macbeth looks uneasy, then his face turns into a grimace and he starts screaming.

Macbeth: BANQUO. He was there. In his seat. I asked my men which of them had done this. I had thought of it as a bad joke. Banquo held is gory locks at me. I….I couldn’t stand it….it was horrible….the sight…I thought the dead stayed dead but now they rise again.

Therapist: You mean you saw Banquo, the dead Banquo?

Macbeth: YES! He was there, in his seat. It was so horrible. No one could behold such sights. No one understood. I did not understand. From then on I knew I had stepp’d in so far in blood, should I wade no more. But it had to be done. It was necessary.

Therapist: I think we have made great progress today, Macbeth. I appreciate you being so open and honest with me. Next week we will have another appointment at the same time. Until then, beware Macbeth.

Macbeth quickly stood up from his seat and walked out of the door without looking back.