MACBETH has murdered and cheated to take the crown of Scotland. His wife – initially supportive and purposeful as she encouraged him to kill KING DUNCAN – is so wracked with guilt that she has gone insane. MACBETH must now fight the other noblemen who hold him responsible for the deaths of DUNCAN, BANQUO and the MACDUFF family and the woeful state of the country. He is preparing for battle when he hears, halfway through this speech that his wife has killed herself. He becomes more introspective as he considers the nature of life and humanity.