Author's Note: This was an assignment in my AP English class; write a new or changed scene for Macbeth that somehow drastically alters the play's ending. I changed the end of Act 3, Scene 1, when Macbeth hires the murderers to go after Banquo and Fleance. After the murderers leave to carry out their orders, Macbeth is left alone inside to ponder his situation. Meanwhile – per my changed storyline – Banquo discovers he has left his gloves inside, and comes back in to get them. Mac's first 2 lines here are from the original play. The rest is my added scene. The spacing may be screwed up, but I did my best to make it as much like a standard Shakespeare text as possible, even down to stage directions.
Macbeth: It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight,
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.
[Retreats to a several room off the hall]
How is't I put this question to myself,
If that good Banquo's soul should heaven find?
It's mine own soul should be inspected thus
Which already doth feel the scorching heat
Of its fiery damnation fast approaching.
No, he shall Lazarus in Paradise be,
Deaf to all my tortured cries for drink.
O, Banquo! A lesser and a greater thou art indeed.
[Sits, weeping]
[Enter Banquo]
Banquo: Good my lord, seest thou my gloves?
[He is surprised at Macbeth's state]
My lord? What is't ails your Majesty?
What, new-crowned and weeping thus? Fie, my lord.
Art still in mourning for thy predecessor?
Macbeth: What, for Duncan? Weeping for Duncan? Ay.
Ay, for king most cruelly cut from his throne
By –
[Weeping again]
Banquo: Ay, by those two fiends most foul, by drink
Enflamed, and –
Macbeth: No! No, not by two but one.
One devil alone from the darkest circle of hell
Performed it.
Banquo: But who –
Macbeth: He sits before you!
He sits before you, sir. The very one.
His serpent's tail dangles o'er the flames and
His very soul is searèd with his guilt.
And here he sits.
Banquo: But my lord –
Macbeth: Mine own hand!
With mine own hand, held the blade, did the deed.
My guest, my lord, my King, dead, by mine own hand!
Banquo: Then 'twas as I had feared. The weird sisters
Have worked their master's charm upon thee well,
Pricking thy ambition, which thus did swell
Like a festered wound, whose poison eats away
At each several member, and in the end,
Chokes the heart and smothers the soul. But, come.
Macbeth: No, touch me not. I would not have thee stain
Thy spotless hands for me, for all thy pains.
[Rises, and turns from Banquo]
No, Banquo. My sins are black as the shroud
That covers the empty shell in the tomb.
And such am I. My soul is fled from hence
And I am empty; my body is left,
Like a poor player, to go on pretending
It lives. But no more.
[Reaches for his dagger]
'Tis time, friend Banquo,
For this my hollow charade to end.
Banquo: No!
[They struggle; Banquo wrests away the blade]
Take hold of thy wits, Macbeth!
Macbeth: I cannot!
I cannot, I – [He weeps]
Three are dead, to make way for my ambitions.
And a fourth – and almost a fourth! O, Banquo!
Now have I plunged this my reddened dagger
Into the heart of our friendship.
Banquo: What is't?
Macbeth: Without the palace gates, horsed and ready,
Awaiting thy ride with Fleance thy son,
Sit two bloody and well-armed murderers
Hired to pursue and slay thee and thy issue.
Banquo: Hired by thyself, my lord?
Macbeth: Ay, by myself.
O, forgive me, gentle Banquo!
Banquo: My liege,
Should I forgive a fortnight without ceasing,
'Twould be naught, except you forgive yourself.
Macbeth: How can I? How, when I know my soul is lost?
Spent, in reckless pursuit of foolish aims?
How may I redeem it?
Banquo: By prayer, my lord.
By prayer, by penance, safe in the knowledge
Of Christ's blessed mercy and the great grace
Of His Holy Mother – and of my love
And our bonds of friendship that shall guide thee.
[Enter Lady Macbeth, and a servant]
Lady M: How now, my lord, why do you keep alone?
Your guests do clamor for their King's attendance.
Banquo: 'Tis naught for worry, my gracious queen.
My lord is not himself.
Macbeth: I have confessed it.
Lady M: O!
Banquo: (to servant) You, sirrah! My lord has just informed me
Of a foul plot afoot. Take you the guards
Without the castle gates and there apprehend
The pair of villains at the heart of it.
You shall find them horsed and armed. Well, go to't!
[Exit servant]
My lady must now go and 'tend her guests.
And you, my lord, shall to bed.
[Exeunt omnes.]
A/N: Because Banquo survives, Mac doesn't go completely crazy just yet, and the rest of the play's sequence of events is altered: Mac still goes to see the witches, but because Banquo is still alive and watching out for him, he interrupts the meeting and drags Mac away after he hears only the first warning, "Fear Macduff." Banquo takes Mac to Ireland to hide from Macduff and to recover his sanity and self-worth. …Lady Mac still dies. Because I don't like her.