Macbeth RAFT Assignment Instructions:
Role: You are a news reporter in Scotland.
Audience: The Scottish people are your audience. You are to inform the public about what is happening
in the kingdom.
Format: You are to write a news article.
Topic: You are to summarize key events that happened in your individual section of Macbeth. Be sure to
utilize key quotes. Lastly, be specific and creative!
Act II Scene 1-2
Who’s to Blame?
After the death of the king, the FBI has been working day and night on the case. Sources
say that they’ve narrowed it down to three suspects. The press released evidence on one of the
main suspects - the guards. Lady Macbeth, wife of Macbeth, who was on site of the crime will it
happened, shared with our reporters that the guards were drunk the night of the crime. Also, they
heard the king being killed and not help. The guards were to be detained and interviewed
further; however, they were murdered before they could be taken into custody. Prior to their
murder, the guards pleaded, “Lady Macbeth is the one who gave us the liquor and encouraged us
to take the night off.”
Sources say that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were very fidgety and wouldn’t place their
hands on the bible to swear that everything they said is true. This seemed suspicious so we have
investigated the two more. It seems as if Lady Macbeth and Macbeth planted the knife on the
guards. Both will be detained for further investigation.
Act II Scenes 3-4
Murder Madness Aftermath
After the gruesome murder of the King late last night, the Macbeth castle is up in
roars. Utter chaos and screams of terror sweep the halls as the remaining occupants of the house
run about trying desperately to figure out who may have done such a thing. “Someone has killed
our royal King! His body lie motionless in a puddle of blood! Oh horror, horror, such pure
horror!” yells one of the residents, Macduff after discovering the limp body drowned in a pool of
blood. “I just don’t understand who would do something this cruel especially in our humble
abode! “The women of the house, Lady Macbeth says sympathetically.
Two additional bodies were found at the scene. The men, who remain unidentified, were
said to be responsible for guarding the room in which the king slept, but were apparently too
belligerently drunk to identify the killer. It is unknown if they may have been the alleged killers
or not. One of the residents claims to have killed them out of anger and fury. Another resident
who gave a statement earlier is said to have escaped to a place unknown.
Act IV Scenes 1-2
Macbeth & the Witches
Macbeth returns to the witches seeking the truth of the future. They show him three
ghosts revealing what will be his downfall. The first ghost reveals that he should beware of
Macduff. The second ghost reveals that no man born of a woman can harm him. The last ghost
reveals that he will be defeated by the Great Birnam Wood.
Macbeth & the Massacre
Knowing the plans of Macduff, Macbeth decided to kill Macduff’s family, not fearing
what Macduff would do because he was born of a woman. Lady Macduff shares with her son
the news of his father being named a traitor, and is promptly murdered along with her children
thereafter.
Act IV Scene 3
Malcom and Macduff Align
In a secret meeting that took place Monday evening, Malcom and Macduff have crafted a
rebel force fit to break hell.
Apparently Macduff requested a meeting with Malcom, and Malcom warily agreed.
Only upon Macduff’s heartbreaking lament for his country did Malcom finally believe that
Macduff was not acting as an agent of Macbeth and posed no threat to his life.
“My father trusted the people around him too easily and paid for it with his life. And, because of
that, the people of Scotland are suffering. I was not about to make the same mistake,” Malcom
stated. “Rather, I chose to test Macduff’s integrity by lying about myself. I told him that I was
twice the devil Macbeth could ever be and that I was not fit to rule. Upon hearing my black
scruples, Macduff wept for my father who he deemed a saint among rulers. It was at that
moment I knew his intentions to save Scotland were true, and I fully revealed myself. I am not
the saint my father was, but I am no devil like Macbeth!”
It might seem an unlikely match as Malcom was originally thought as a co-conspirator in
his father’s untimely death and Macduff a loyal kinsmen of Scotland. However, both men have
voiced their discontent with the Scotland’s King Macbeth calling him an “untitled tyrant bloodysceptered.” In fact, Macduff revealed that he has suspected Macbeth in the previous king’s death
all along.
It has been revealed that 10,000 men will join Macduff’s forces in a rebellion against
Macbeth. No further details about the attack have been released.
Macduff Sworn to Kill Macbeth
In an effort to secure Malcom’s alliance against Macbeth, Macduff left his wife and child
alone at his mansion in Fife where they were attacked and murdered. It is rumored that Macbeth
had them assassinated. Macduff’s close friend, Ross, delivered the sad news to Macduff
following his meeting with Malcom.
Malcom says that Macduff will dispute this horrendous act like a man. Macduff’s full
emotional state is unknown, but he reportedly blames himself for their death, “I must feel it as a
man… Sinful Macduff! There were all struck for thee! Cut short all intermissions; front to front
bring this fiend of Scotland and myself; within my sword’s length set him.”
Malcom has assured that his men will allow Macduff the honor of killing Macbeth
himself.
Act V Scenes 1-4
Scottish Shenanigans (Tuesday)
What in the name of all that’s holy is going on here! The king was murdered, sons fled,
families killed, and now word of the queen, Lady MacBeth going mad? Yes! Reports of her
doctor and nurse state that she has indeed got a sickness of the mind. “The heart is sorely
charged”, stated her doctor after a quick examination during one of her most recent episodes.
More evaluations will take place in the coming weeks to diagnose her strange disease of the soul.
In other news, ten thousand English soldiers are mobilizing near the Scottish border. Led
on by the Prince of Cumberland, Malcolm, the son of the late King Duncan of Scotland! Reports
are that they are headed to Dunsinane Castle to challenge the throne of MacBeth, who they claim
to be a tyrant. More details will emerge as more information is received on the matter.
Here Be Blood! (Sunday)
We have more details on the large army gathering on an attempt to overthrow MacBeth.
The King has received the news of the assault, but is assured by witches of all things that he will
be fine. “Bring it after me. I will not be afraid of death and bane until Birnam come to
Dunsinane.” he says as he prepares to fight his opposition.
On the other end of the front, we have details of the English side of preparation for
assault. Malcolm has given orders for his men, now at the Birnam forest, to conceal their
presence with the branches of the trees themselves, effectively taking Birnam with them to
Dunsinane. Attack is all but imminent. We advise anyone in the area to step aside, grab some
peanuts, and enjoy the “show” as the fate of Scotland is determined right before your eyes.