Macbeth: Staged: the origins of YA's greatest tropes

“It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood”

In 11th century Scotland, Macbeth receives a prophecy that he will become king. Three witches promise Macbeth that he will rise in the military to become Thane of Cawdor before ascending to the throne. But his fellow soldier Banquo receives a message of his own: his sons will, too, become kings.

Upon their return, Macbeth is indeed promoted to Thane of Cawdor, and when his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, hears of his promotion, they both ...