You know your own degrees; sit down: at first
And last the hearty welcome.
…Ourself will mingle with society,
And play the humble host.
– William Shakespeare
Macbeth, Act 3, Scene 4. Macbeth, now King of Scotland, welcomes the country’s nobility to a banquet. He puts on a show of being the affable, down-to-earth and friendly host. But appearances are deceptive – he has usurped the throne by murdering King Duncan, and then despatched his friend and rival Banquo.