Macbeth No Fear Script 2

No Fear Shakespeare Macbeth (by SparkNotes) -1-
Original Text Modern Text
Act 1, Scene 1
Thunder and lightning. Enter three WITCHES Thunder and lightning. Three WITCHES enter
FIRST WITCH FIRST WITCH
When shall we three meet again? When should the three of us meet again? Will it
In thunder, lightning, or in rain? be in thunder, lightning, or rain?
SECOND WITCH SECOND WITCH
When the hurly-burlys done, Well meet when the noise of the battle is over,
When the battles lost and won. when one side has won and the other side has
lost.
THIRD WITCH THIRD WITCH
5 That will be ere the set of sun. That will happen before sunset.
Where the place? Where should we meet?
Upon the heath. Lets do it in the open field.
There to meet with Macbeth. Well meet Macbeth there.
The WITCHES hear the calls of their spirit friends
or familiars, which look like animalsone is a
cat and one is a toad.
I come, Graymalkin! (calling to her cat) Im coming, Graymalkin!
10 Paddock calls. My toad, Paddock, calls me.
Anon. (to her spirit) Ill be right here!
ALL ALL
Fair is foul, and foul is fair Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Lets fly away through
Hover through the fog and filthy air. the fog and filthy air.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 1, Scene 2
Alarum within. Enter KING Sounds of a trumpet and soldiers fighting
DUNCAN, MALCOLM,DONALBAIN, LENNOX, with offstage. KING DUNCAN enters with his
attendants, meeting a bleeding CAPTAIN sonsMALCOLM and DONALBAIN, LENNOX,
and a number of attendants. They meet a
wounded and bloody CAPTAIN.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
What bloody man is that? He can report, Who is this bloody man? Judging from his
As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt appearance, I bet he can tell us the latest news
The newest state. about the revolt.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
This is the sergeant This is the brave sergeant who fought to keep me
Who like a good and hardy soldier fought from being captured. Hail, brave friend! Tell the
5 'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend! king what was happening in the battle when you
Say to the king the knowledge of the broil left it.
As thou didst leave it.
CAPTAIN CAPTAIN
Doubtful it stood, For a while you couldnt tell who would win. The
As two spent swimmers that do cling together armies were like two exhausted swimmers
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald clinging to each other and struggling in the water,
10 Worthy to be a rebel, for to that unable to move. The villainous rebel Macdonwald
The multiplying villanies of nature was supported by foot soldiers and horsemen
Do swarm upon himfrom the Western Isles from Ireland and the Hebrides, and Lady Luck
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied, was with him, smiling cruelly at his enemies as if
And fortune, on his damnd quarrel smiling, she were his whore. But Luck and Macdonwald
15 Showed like a rebels whore. But alls too weak, together werent strong enough. Brave Macbeth,
For brave Macbethwell he deserves that name laughing at Luck, chopped his way through to
Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, Macdonwald, who didnt even have time to say
Which smoked with bloody execution, good-bye or shake hands before Macbeth split
Like valors minion carved out his passage him open from his navel to his jawbone and stuck
20 Till he faced the slave; his head on our castle walls.
Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,
Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops,
And fixed his head upon our battlements.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman! My brave relative! What a worthy man!
Act 1, Scene 2, Page 2

CAPTAIN CAPTAIN
25 As whence the sun 'gins his reflection But in the same way that violent storms always
Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, come just as spring appears, our success against
So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come Macdonwald created new problems for us. Listen
Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark: to this, King: as soon as we sent those Irish
No sooner justice had, with valor armed, soldiers running for cover, the Norwegian king
30 Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels, saw his chance to attack us with fresh troops and
But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage, shiny weapons.
With furbished arms and new supplies of men,
Began a fresh assault.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Didnt this frighten our captains, Macbeth and
Banquo? Banquo?
CAPTAIN CAPTAIN
35 Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. The new challenge scared them about as much
If I say sooth, I must report they were as sparrows frighten eagles, or rabbits frighten a
As cannons overcharged with double cracks, lion. To tell you the truth, they fought the new
So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. enemy with twice as much force as before; they
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, were like cannons loaded with double
40 Or memorize another Golgotha, ammunition. Maybe they wanted to take a bath in
I cannot tell their enemies' blood, or make that battlefield as
But I am faint, my gashes cry for help. infamous as Golgotha, where Christ was
crucified, I dont know. But I feel weak. My
wounds must be tended to.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
So well thy words become thee as thy wounds; Your words, like your wounds, bring you honor.
They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons. Take him to the surgeons.
Exit CAPTAIN with attendants The CAPTAIN exits, helped by attendants.
Enter ROSS and ANGUS ROSS and ANGUS enter.
45 Who comes here? Who is this?
MALCOLM MALCOLM
The worthy thane of Ross. The worthy Thane of Ross.
LENNOX LENNOX
What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he His eyes seem frantic! He looks like someone
look with a strange tale to tell.
That seems to speak things strange.

ROSS ROSS
God save the king. God save the king!
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Whence camst thou, worthy thane? Where have you come from, worthy thane?
ROSS ROSS
From Fife, great king, Great king, Ive come from Fife, where the
Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky Norwegian flag flies, mocking our country and
50 And fan our people cold. frightening our people. Leading an enormous
Norway himself, with terrible numbers, army and assisted by that disloyal traitor, the
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor, thane of Cawdor, the king of Norway began a
The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict, bloody battle. But outfitted in his battle-weathered
Till that Bellonas bridegroom, lapped in proof, armor, Macbeth met the Norwegian attacks shot
55 Confronted him with self-comparisons, for shot, as if he were the goddess of wars
Point against point, rebellious arm 'gainst arm, husband. Finally he broke the enemys spirit, and
Curbing his lavish spirit; and to conclude, we were victorious.
The victory fell on us.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Great happiness! Great happiness!
ROSS ROSS
That now So now Sweno, the Norwegian king, wants a
Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition. treaty. We told him we wouldnt even let him bury
60 Nor would we deign him burial of his men his men until he retreated to Saint Colmes Inch
Till he disbursed at Saint Colmes Inch and paid us ten thousand dollars.
Ten thousand dollars to our general use.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive The thane of Cawdor will never again betray me.
Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death, Go announce that he will be executed, and tell
65 And with his former title greet Macbeth. Macbeth that Cawdors titles will be given to him.
ROSS ROSS
Ill see it done. Ill get it done right away.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. The thane of Cawdor has lost what the noble
Macbeth has won.
Exeunt They all exit.
Act 1, Scene 3
Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES Thunder. The three WITCHES enter.
Where hast thou been, sister? Where have you been, sister?
Killing swine. Killing pigs.
Sister, where thou? And you, sister?
A sailors wife had chestnuts in her lap, A sailors wife had chestnuts in her lap and
5 And munched, and munched, and munched. Give munched away at them. Give me one, I said.
me, Get away from me, witch! the fat woman cried.
quoth I. Her husband has sailed off to Aleppo as master
Aroint thee, witch! the rump-fed runnion cries. of a ship called the Tiger. Ill sail there in a kitchen
Her husbands to Aleppo gone, master o' th' Tiger; strainer, turn myself into a tailless rat, and do
But in a sieve Ill thither sail, things to him
10 And like a rat without a tail,
Ill do, Ill do, and Ill do.
Ill give thee a wind. Ill give you some wind to sail there.
Thou 'rt kind. How nice of you!
And I another. And I will give you some more.
I myself have all the other, I already have control of all the other winds, along
15 And the very ports they blow, with the ports from which they blow and every
All the quarters that they know direction on the sailors compass in which they
I' th' shipmans card. can go. Ill drain the life out of him. He wont catch
Ill drain him dry as hay. a wink of sleep, either at night or during the day.
Sleep shall neither night nor day He will live as a cursed man. For eighty-one
20 Hang upon his penthouse lid. weeks he will waste away in agony.
He shall live a man forbid.
Weary sev'nnights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine.

Though his bark cannot be lost, Although I cant make his ship disappear, I can
25 Yet it shall be tempest-tossed. still make his journey miserable. Look what I have
Look what I have. here.
Show me, show me. Show me, show me.
Here I have a pilots thumb, Here I have the thumb of a pilot who was
Wrecked as homeward he did come. drowned while trying to return home.
Drum within A drum sounds offstage.
30 A drum, a drum! A drum, a drum! Macbeth has come.
Macbeth doth come.
ALL ALL
(dancing together in a circle) The weird sisters, hand (dancing together in a circle) We weird sisters,
in hand in hand, swift travelers over the sea and
hand, land, dance around and around like so. Three
Posters of the sea and land, times to yours, and three times to mine, and three
35 Thus do go about, about, times again, to add up to nine. Enough! The
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine charm is ready.
And thrice again, to make up nine.
Peace! The charms wound up.
Enter MACBETH and BANQUO MACBETH and BANQUO enter.
MACBETH MACBETH
So foul and fair a day I have not seen. (to BANQUO) I have never seen a day that was
so good and bad at the same time.
BANQUO BANQUO
How far is t called to Forres?What are these How far is it supposed to be to Forres? (he sees
40 So withered and so wild in their attire, the WITCHES) What are these creatures?
That look not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth, Theyre so withered-looking and crazily dressed.
And yet are on t?Live you? Or are you aught They dont look like they belong on this planet,
That man may question? You seem to understand but I see them standing here on Earth. (to
me, theWITCHES) Are you alive? Can you answer
45 By each at once her choppy finger laying questions? You seem to understand me, because
Upon her skinny lips. You should be women, each of you has put a gruesome finger to her
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret skinny lips. You look like women, but your beards
That you are so. keep me from believing that you really are.

MACBETH MACBETH
Speak, if you can: what are you? Speak, if you can. What kind of creatures are
you?
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Glamis!
50 All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, thane of Cawdor!
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! All hail, Macbeth, the future king!
BANQUO BANQUO
Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear My dear Macbeth, why do you look so startled
Things that do sound so fair? (to the WITCHES) I' th' and afraid of these nice things theyre saying?(to
name of truth, the WITCHES) Tell me honestly, are you
55 Are ye fantastical, or that indeed illusions, or are you really what you seem to be?
Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner Youve greeted my noble friend with honors and
You greet with present grace and great prediction talk of a future so glorious that youve made him
Of noble having and of royal hope, speechless. But you dont say anything to me. If
That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not. you can see the future and say how things will
60 If you can look into the seeds of time turn out, tell me. I dont want your favors and Im
And say which grain will grow and which will not, not afraid of your hatred.
Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear
Your favors nor your hate.
Hail! Hail!
Hail! Hail!
65 Hail! Hail!
Lesser than Macbeth and greater. You are lesser than Macbeth but also greater.
Not so happy, yet much happier. You are not as happy as Macbeth, yet much
happier.
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. Your descendants will be kings, even though you
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! will not be one. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!

70 Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!
MACBETH MACBETH
Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more. Wait! You only told me part of what I want to
By Sinels death I know I am thane of Glamis. know. Stay and tell me more. I already know I am
But how of Cawdor? The thane of Cawdor lives, the thane of Glamis because I inherited the
A prosperous gentleman, and to be king position when my father, Sinel, died. But how can
75 Stands not within the prospect of belief, you call me the thane of Cawdor? The thane of
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence Cawdor is alive, and hes a rich and powerful
You owe this strange intelligence, or why man. And for me to be the king is completely
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way impossible, just as its impossible for me to be
With such prophetic greeting. Speak, I charge you. thane of Cawdor. Tell me where you learned
these strange things, and why you stop us at this
desolate place with this prophetic greeting?
Speak, I command you.
WITCHES vanish The WITCHESvanish.
BANQUO BANQUO
80 The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, The earth has bubbles, just like the water, and
And these are of them. Whither are they vanished? these creatures must have come from a bubble in
the earth. Where did they disappear to?
MACBETH MACBETH
Into the air, and what seemed corporal Into thin air. Their bodies melted like breath in the
Melted, as breath into the wind. Would they had wind. I wish they had stayed!
stayed.
BANQUO BANQUO
Were such things here as we do speak about? Were these things were talking about really
85 Or have we eaten on the insane root here? Or are we both on drugs?
That takes the reason prisoner?
MACBETH MACBETH
Your children shall be kings. Your children will be kings.
BANQUO BANQUO
You shall be king. You will be the king.
MACBETH MACBETH
And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so? And thane of Cawdor too. Isnt that what they
said?
BANQUO BANQUO
To the selfsame tune and words. Whos here? Thats exactly what they said. Whos this?
Enter ROSS and ANGUS ROSS and ANGUS enter.

ROSS ROSS
90 The king hath happily received, Macbeth, The king was happy to hear of your success,
The news of thy success, and when he reads Macbeth. Whenever he hears the story of your
Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight, exploits in the fight against the rebels, he
His wonders and his praises do contend becomes so amazed it makes him speechless.
Which should be thine or his. Silenced with that, He was also shocked to learn that on the same
95 In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day, day you fought the rebels you also fought against
He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks, the army of Norway, and that you werent the
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, least bit afraid of death, even as you killed
Strange images of death. As thick as tale everyone around you. Messenger after
Can post with post, and every one did bear messenger delivered news of your bravery to the
100 Thy praises in his kingdoms great defense, king with praise for how you defended his
And poured them down before him. country.

ANGUS ANGUS
We are sent The king sent us to give you his thanks and to
To give thee from our royal master thanks, bring you to him. Your real reward wont come
Only to herald thee into his sight, from us.
Not pay thee.
ROSS ROSS
105 And, for an earnest of a greater honor, And to give you a taste of whats in store for you,
He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor: he told me to call you the thane of Cawdor. So
In which addition, hail, most worthy thane, hail, thane of Cawdor! That title belongs to you
For it is thine. now.
BANQUO BANQUO
What, can the devil speak true? (shocked) Can the devil tell the truth?
MACBETH MACBETH
The thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me The thane of Cawdor is still alive. Why are you
110 In borrowed robes? putting his clothes on me?
ANGUS ANGUS
Who was the thane lives yet, The man who was the thane of Cawdor is still
But under heavy judgment bears that life alive, but hes been sentenced to death, and he
Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was deserves to die. I dont know whether he fought
combined on Norways side, or if he secretly aided the
With those of Norway, or did line the rebel rebels, or if he fought with both of our enemies.
115 With hidden help and vantage, or that with both But his treason, which has been proven, and to
He labored in his countrys wrack, I know not; which hes confessed, means hes finished.
But treasons capital, confessed and proved,
Have overthrown him.

MACBETH MACBETH
(aside) Glamis, and thane of Cawdor! (to himself) Its just like they saidnow Im the
The greatest is thane of Glamis and the thane of Cawdor. And
120 behind. (to ROSS and ANGUS)Thanks for your the best part of what they predicted is still to
pains. come. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Thank you for the
(aside to BANQUO) Do you not hope your children news. (speaking so that only BANQUO can
shall be kings, hear) Arent you beginning to hope your children
When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me will be kings? After all, the witches who said I
Promised no less to them? was thane of Cawdor promised them nothing
less.
BANQUO BANQUO
That, trusted home, If you trust what they say, you might be on your
Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, way to becoming king, as well as thane of
Besides the thane of Cawdor. But tis strange. Cawdor. But this whole thing is strange. The
125 And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, agents of evil often tell us part of the truth in
The instruments of darkness tell us truths, order to lead us to our destruction. They earn our
Win us with honest trifles, to betray s trust by telling us the truth about little things, but
In deepest consequence. then they betray us when it will damage us the
(to ROSS and ANGUS) Cousins, a word, I pray you. most. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Gentlemen, Id like
to have a word with you, please.
BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS move to one side ROSS, ANGUS, and BANQUO move to one
side.
MACBETH MACBETH
130 (aside) Two truths are told, (to himself) So far the witches have told me two
As happy prologues to the swelling act things that came true, so it seems like this will
Of the imperial theme. (to ROSS and ANGUS) I culminate in my becoming
thank you, gentlemen. king. (to ROSS andANGUS) Thank you,
(aside) This supernatural soliciting gentlemen. (to himself)This supernatural
135 Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, temptation doesnt seem like it can be a bad
Why hath it given me earnest of success, thing, but it cant be good either. If its a bad
Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor. thing, why was I promised a promotion that
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion turned out to be true? Now Im the thane of
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair Cawdor, just like they said I would be. But if this
140 And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, is a good thing, why do I find myself thinking
Against the use of nature? Present fears about murdering King Duncan, a thought so
Are less than horrible imaginings. horrifying that it makes my hair stand on end and
my heart pound inside my chest? The dangers
that actually threaten me here and now frighten
me less than the horrible things Im imagining.

My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Even though its just a fantasy so far, the mere
Shakes so my single state of man thought of committing murder shakes me up so
That function is smothered in surmise, much that I hardly know who I am anymore. My
145 And nothing is but what is not. ability to act is stifled by my thoughts and
speculations, and the only things that matter to
me are things that dont really exist.
BANQUO BANQUO
Look how our partners rapt. Look at Macbethhes in a daze.
MACBETH MACBETH
(aside) If chance will have me king, why, chance (to himself) If fate wants me to be king, perhaps
may crown me fate will just make it happen and I wont have to
Without my stir. do anything.
BANQUO BANQUO
New honors come upon him, (to ROSS and ANGUS) Macbeth is not used to
150 Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold his new titles. Theyre like new clothes: they
But with the aid of use. dont fit until you break them in over time.
MACBETH MACBETH
(aside) Come what come may, (to himself) One way or another, whats going to
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. happen is going to happen.
BANQUO BANQUO
Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure. Good Macbeth, were ready when you are.
MACBETH MACBETH
155 Give me your favor. My dull brain was wrought I beg your pardon; I was distracted. Kind
With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains gentlemen, I wont forget the trouble youve
Are registered where every day I turn taken for me whenever I think of this day. Lets
The leaf to read them. Let us toward the king. go to the king. (speaking so that
(aside to BANQUO) Think upon what hath chanced, only BANQUOcan hear) Think about what
160 and, at more time, happened today, and when weve both had time
The interim having weighed it, let us speak to consider things, lets talk.
Our free hearts each to other.
BANQUO BANQUO
Very gladly. Absolutely.
MACBETH MACBETH
Till then, enough. (to ROSS and ANGUS) Come, Until then, weve said
friends. enough. (to ROSS andANGUS) Lets go, my
friends.
Act 1, Scene 4
Flourish. Enter KING A trumpet fanfare sounds. KING
DUNCAN, LENNOX,MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, and DUNCAN,LENNOX, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN,
attendants and their attendants enter.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not Has the former thane of Cawdor been executed
Those in commission yet returned? yet? Havent the people in charge of that come
back?
MALCOLM MALCOLM
My liege, My king, they havent come back yet. But I spoke
They are not yet come back. But I have spoke with someone who saw Cawdor die, and he said
With one that saw him die, who did report that Cawdor openly confessed his treasons,
5 That very frankly he confessed his treasons, begged your highnesss forgiveness, and
Implored your highness' pardon, and set forth repented deeply. He never did anything in his
A deep repentance. Nothing in his life whole life that looked as good as the way he died.
Became him like the leaving it. He died He died like someone who had practiced how to
As one that had been studied in his death toss away his most cherished possession as if it
10 To throw away the dearest thing he owed were a worthless a piece of garbage.
As twere a careless trifle.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Theres no art Theres no way to read a mans mind by looking
To find the minds construction in the face. at his face. I trusted Cawdor completely.
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.
Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUSenter.
15 (to MACBETH) O worthiest cousin, (to MACBETH) My worthiest kinsman! Just this
The sin of my ingratitude even now moment I was feeling guilty for not having
Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before thanked you enough. You have done so much for
That swiftest wing of recompense is slow me so fast that it has been impossible to reward
To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved, you properly. If you deserved less, then perhaps
20 That the proportion both of thanks and payment my payment would have matched your deeds! All
Might have been mine! Only I have left to say, I can say is that I owe you more than I can ever
More is thy due than more than all can pay. repay.

MACBETH MACBETH
The service and the loyalty I owe The opportunity to serve you is its own reward.
In doing it pays itself. Your highness' part Your only duty, your highness, is to accept what
25 Is to receive our duties, and our duties we owe you. Our duty to you and your state is like
Are to your throne and state children and servants, the duty of children to their father or servants to
Which do but what they should, by doing everything their master. By doing everything we can to
Safe toward your love and honor. protect you, were only doing what we should.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Welcome hither. You are welcome here. By making you thane of
I have begun to plant thee, and will labor Cawdor, I have planted the seeds of a great
30 To make thee full of growing. (to BANQUO) Noble career for you, and I will make sure they
Banquo, grow. (toBANQUO) Noble Banquo, you deserve
That hast no less deserved, nor must be known no less than Macbeth, and everyone should know
No less to have done so, let me infold thee it. Let me bring you close to me and give you the
And hold thee to my heart. benefit of my love and good will.
BANQUO BANQUO
There, if I grow, Then if I accomplish anything great, it will be a
The harvest is your own. credit to you.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
My plenteous joys, My joy is so overwhelming it brings tears to my
35 Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves eyes. My sons, relatives, lords, and all those
In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes, closest to me, I want you to witness that I will
And you whose places are the nearest, know bestow my kingdom on my eldest son, Malcolm.
We will establish our estate upon Today I name him the prince of Cumberland. But
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter Malcolm isnt going to be alone in receiving
40 The prince of Cumberland; which honor must honorstitles of nobility will shine like stars on all
Not unaccompanied invest him only, of you who deserve them. (to MACBETH) And
But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine now, lets go to your castle at Inverness, where I
On all deservers. (to MACBETH) From hence to will become even more obliged to you because of
Inverness, your hospitality.
And bind us further to you.
MACBETH MACBETH
45 The rest is labor which is not used for you: Im not happy unless I can be working for you. I
Ill be myself the harbinger and make joyful will go ahead and bring my wife the good news
The hearing of my wife with your approach. that you are coming. With that, Ill be off.
So humbly take my leave.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
My worthy Cawdor! My worthy Cawdor!

MACBETH MACBETH
50 (aside) The prince of Cumberland! That is a step (to himself) Malcolm is now the prince of
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, Cumberland! To become king myself, Im either
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; going to have to step over him or give up,
Let not light see my black and deep desires. because hes in my way. Stars, hide your light so
The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be no one can see the terrible desires within me. I
55 Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. wont let my eye look at what my hand is doing,
but in the end Im still going to do that thing Id be
horrified to see.
Exit MACBETH exits.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
True, worthy Banquo. He is full so valiant, (to BANQUO, in the middle of a conversation we
And in his commendations I am fed; havent heard) Youre right, Banquo. Macbeth is
It is a banquet to me.Lets after him, every bit as valiant as you say, and I am satisfied
Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome: with these praises of him. Lets follow after him,
60 It is a peerless kinsman. now that he has gone ahead to prepare our
welcome. He is a man without equal.
Flourish. Exeunt Trumpet fanfare. They exit.
Act 1, Scene 5
Enter LADY MACBETH, alone, with a letter LADY MACBETH enters, reading a letter.
LADY MACBETH LADY MACBETH
(reading) They met me in the day of success, and I The witches met me on the day of my victory in
have learned by the perfectest report they have more battle, and I have since learned that they have
in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in supernatural knowledge. When I tried desperately
desire to question them further, they made to question them further, they vanished into thin
themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I air. While I stood spellbound, messengers from
stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives from the the king arrived and greeted me as the thane of
king, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor,' by which Cawdor, which is precisely how the weird sisters
title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and had saluted me before calling me the future king!'
referred me to the coming on of time with 'Hail, king I thought I should tell you this news, my dearest
that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver partner in greatness, so that you could rejoice
thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou along with me about the greatness that is
mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being promised to us. Keep it secret, and farewell.
ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to
thy heart, and farewell.
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be (she looks up from the letter) You are thane of
What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; Glamis and Cawdor, and youre going to be king,
It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness just like you were promised. But I worry about
5 To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great, whether or not you have what it takes to seize the
Art not without ambition, but without crown. You are too full of the milk of human
The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst kindness to strike aggressively at your first
highly, opportunity. You want to be powerful, and you
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, dont lack ambition, but you dont have the mean
10 And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou'ldst have, great streak that these things call for. The things you
Glamis, want to do, you want to do like a good man. You
That which cries, Thus thou must do, if thou have it, dont want to cheat, yet you want what doesnt
And that which rather thou dost fear to do, belong to you. Theres something you want, but
Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, youre afraid to do what you need to do to get it.
15 That I may pour my spirits in thine ear You want it to be done for you. Hurry home so I
And chastise with the valor of my tongue can persuade you and talk you out of whatevers
All that impedes thee from the golden round, keeping you from going after the crown. After all,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem fate and witchcraft both seem to want you to be
To have thee crowned withal. king.
Enter SERVANT A SERVANT enters.

What is your tidings? What news do you bring?
SERVANT SERVANT
The king comes here tonight. The king is coming here tonight.
Thou 'rt mad to say it. You must be crazy to say that! Isnt Macbeth with
20 Is not thy master with him, who, were t so, the king, and wouldnt Macbeth have told me in
Would have informed for preparation? advance so I could prepare, if the king were really
coming?
SERVANT SERVANT
So please you, it is true: our thane is coming. Im sorry, but its the truth. Macbeth is coming. He
One of my fellows had the speed of him, sent a messenger ahead of him who arrived here
Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more so out of breath that he could barely speak his
25 Than would make up his message. message.
Give him tending. Take good care of him. He brings great news.
He brings great news.
Exit SERVANT The SERVANT exits.
The raven himself is hoarse So the messenger is short of breath, like a hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan raven, as he announces Duncans entrance into
30 Under my battlements. Come, you spirits my fortress, where he will die. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, that asist murderous thoughts, make me less like
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full a woman and more like a man, and fill me from
Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood. head to toe with deadly cruelty! Thicken my blood
Stop up the access and passage to remorse, and clog up my veins so I wont feel remorse, so
35 That no compunctious visitings of nature that no human compassion can stop my evil plan
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between or prevent me from accomplishing it! Come to my
The effect and it! Come to my womans breasts, female breast and turn my mothers milk into
And take my milk for gall, you murd'ring ministers, poisonous acid, you murdering demons,
Wherever in your sightless substances wherever you hide, invisible and waiting to do
40 You wait on natures mischief. Come, thick night, evil! Come, thick night, and cover the world in the
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, darkest smoke of hell, so that my sharp knife
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, cant see the wound it cuts open, and so heaven
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark cant peep through the darkness and cry, No!
To cry Hold, hold! Stop!

Enter MACBETH MACBETH enters.
45 Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Great thane of Glamis! Worthy thane of Cawdor!
Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter, Youll soon be greater than both those titles, once
Thy letters have transported me beyond you become king! Your letter has transported me
This ignorant present, and I feel now from the present moment, when who knows what
The future in the instant. will happen, and has made me feel like the future
is already here.
MACBETH MACBETH
My dearest love, My dearest love, Duncan is coming here tonight.
50 Duncan comes here tonight.
And when goes hence? And when is he leaving?
MACBETH MACBETH
Tomorrow, as he purposes. He plans to leave tomorrow.
O, never That day will never come. Your face betrays
Shall sun that morrow see! strange feelings, my lord, and people will be able
Your face, my thane, is as a book where men to read it like a book. In order to deceive them,
May read strange matters. To beguile the time, you must appear the way they expect you to look.
55 Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, Greet the king with a welcoming expression in
Your hand, your tongue. Look like th' innocent flower, your eyes, your hands, and your words. You
But be the serpent under t. He thats coming should look like an innocent flower, but be like the
Must be provided for; and you shall put snake that hides underneath the flower. The king
This nights great business into my dispatch, is coming, and hes got to be taken care of. Let
60 Which shall to all our nights and days to come me handle tonights preparations, because
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. tonight will change every night and day for the
rest of our lives.
MACBETH MACBETH
We will speak further. We will speak about this further.
Only look up clear. You should project a peaceful mood, because if
To alter favor ever is to fear. you look troubled, you will arouse suspicion.
65 Leave all the rest to me. Leave all the rest to me.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 1, Scene 6
hautboys and torches. Enter KING The stage is lit by
DUNCAN,MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENN torches. Hautboys play.DUNCAN enters, together
OX,MACDUFF, ROSS, ANGUS, and attendants with MALCOLM,DONALBAIN, BANQUO, LENNO
X, MACDUFF,ROSS, ANGUS, and their
attendants.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air This castle is in a pleasant place. The air is sweet
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself and appeals to my refined senses.
Unto our gentle senses.
BANQUO BANQUO
This guest of summer, The fact that this summer bird, the house martin,
The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, builds his nests here proves how inviting the
5 By his loved mansionry, that the heavens breath breezes are. There isnt a single protrusion in the
Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, castle walls where these birds havent built their
Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird hanging nests to sleep and breed. Ive noticed that
Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle. they always like to settle and mate where the air is
Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed, the nicest.
1 The air is delicate.
0
Enter LADY MACBETH LADY MACBETH enters.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
See, see, our honored hostess! Look, here comes our honored hostess! Sometimes
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, the love my subjects bring me is inconvenient, but I
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you still accept it as love. In doing so, Im teaching you
How you shall bid God 'ild us for your pains, to thank me for the incovenience Im causing you by
And thank us for your trouble. being here, because it comes from my love to you.
All our service, Everything were doing for you, even if it were
1 In every point twice done and then done double, doubled and then doubled again, is nothing
5 Were poor and single business to contend compared to the honors you have brought to our
Against those honors deep and broad wherewith family. We gladly welcome you as our guests, with
Your majesty loads our house. For those of old, gratitude for both the honors youve given us before
And the late dignities heaped up to them, and the new honors youve just given us.
We rest your hermits.
2
0

DUNCAN DUNCAN
Wheres the thane of Cawdor? Where is Macbeth, the thane of Cawdor? We
We coursed him at the heels and had a purpose followed closely after him. I hoped to arrive here
To be his purveyor; but he rides well, before him, but he rides swiftly. And his great
And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him love, which is as sharp as his spur, helped him
To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, beat us here. Fair and noble hostess, we are your
25 We are your guest tonight. guests tonight.
Your servants ever We are your servants, your highness, and as
Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in compt, always our house and everything in it is at your
To make their audit at your highness' pleasure, disposal, for after all, we keep it in your trust and
Still to return your own. were glad to give you back whats yours.
DUNCAN DUNCAN
Give me your hand. Give me your hand. Bring me to my host,

Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly Macbeth. I love him dearly, and I shall continue to
30 And shall continue our graces towards him. favor him. Whenever youre ready, hostess.
By your leave, hostess.
Act 1, Scene 7
Hautboys. Torches. Enter a sewer and divers Hautboys play. The stage is lit by torches. A
servants with dishes and service over the stage. butler enters, and various servants carry utensils
Then enter MACBETH and dishes of food across the stage.
ThenMACBETH enters.
MACBETH MACBETH
If it were done when tis done, then twere well If this business would really be finished when I
It were done quickly. If the assassination did the deed, then it would be best to get it over
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch with quickly. If the assassination of the king could
With his surcease success; that but this blow work like a net, sweeping up everything and
5 Might be the be-all and the end-all here, preventing any consequences, then the murder
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, would be the be-all and end-all of the whole affair,
Wed jump the life to come. But in these cases and I would gladly put my soul and the afterlife at
We still have judgment here, that we but teach risk to do it. But for crimes like these there are still
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return punishments in this world. By committing violent
10 To plague th' inventor: this even-handed justice crimes we only teach other people to commit
Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice violence, and the violence of our students will
To our own lips. Hes here in double trust: come back to plague us teachers. Justice, being
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, equal to everyone, forces us to drink from the
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, poisoned cup that we serve to others. The king
15 Who should against his murderer shut the door, trusts me in two ways. First of all, I am his
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan kinsman and his subject, so I should always try to
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been protect him. Second, I am his host, so I should be
So clear in his great office, that his virtues closing the door in his murderers face, not trying
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against to murder him myself. Besides, Duncan has been
20 The deep damnation of his taking-off; such a humble leader, so free of corruption, that
And pity, like a naked newborn babe, his virtuous legacy will speak for him when he
Striding the blast, or heavens cherubim, horsed dies, as if angels were playing trumpets against
Upon the sightless couriers of the air, the injustice of his murder. Pity, like an innocent
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, newborn baby, will ride the wind with winged
25 That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur angels on invisible horses through the air to
To prick the sides of my intent, but only spread news of the horrible deed to everyone
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself everywhere. People will shed a flood of tears that
And falls on th' other. will drown the wind like a horrible downpour of
rain. I cant spur myself to action. The only thing
motivating me is ambition, which makes people
rush ahead of themselves toward disaster.

How now! What news? What news do you have?
He has almost supped. Why have you left the He has almost finished dinner. Why did you leave
chamber? the dining room?
MACBETH MACBETH
30 Hath he asked for me? Has he asked for me?
Know you not he has? Dont you know he has?
MACBETH MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business. We cant go on with this plan. The king has just
He hath honored me of late, and I have bought honored me, and I have earned the good opinion
Golden opinions from all sorts of people, of all sorts of people. I want to enjoy these honors
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, while the feeling is fresh and not throw them
35 Not cast aside so soon. away so soon.
Was the hope drunk Were you drunk when you seemed so hopeful
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? before? Have you gone to sleep and woken up
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale green and pale in fear of this idea? From now on
At what it did so freely? From this time this is what Ill think of your love. Are you afraid to
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard act the way you desire? Will you take the crown
40 To be the same in thine own act and valor you want so badly, or will you live as a coward,
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that always saying I cant after you say I want to?
Which thou esteemst the ornament of life, Youre like the poor cat in the old story.
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
45 Like the poor cat i' th' adage?
MACBETH MACBETH
Prithee, peace: Please, stop! I dare to do only what is proper for a
I dare do all that may become a man; man to do. He who dares to do more is not a man
Who dares do more is none. at all.
What beast was t, then, If you werent a man, then what kind of animal
That made you break this enterprise to me? were you when you first told me you wanted to do
When you durst do it, then you were a man; this? When you dared to do it, thats when you
50 And to be more than what you were, you would were a man. And if you go one step further by
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place doing what you dared to do before, youll be that
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. much more the man. The time and place werent
They have made themselves, and that their fitness right before, but you would have gone ahead with
now the murder anyhow. Now the time and place are
55 Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know just right, but theyre almost too good for you. I
How tender tis to love the babe that milks me. have suckled a baby, and I know how sweet it is
I would, while it was smiling in my face, to love the baby at my breast. But even as the
Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums baby was smiling up at me, I would have plucked
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you my nipple out of its mouth and smashed its brains
Have done to this. out against a wall if I had sworn to do that the
same way you have sworn to do this.

MACBETH MACBETH
If we should fail? But if we fail
We fail? We, fail? If you get your courage up, we cant fail.
60 But screw your courage to the sticking-place, When Duncan is asleepthe days hard journey
And well not fail. When Duncan is asleep has definitely made him tiredIll get his two
Whereto the rather shall his days hard journey servants so drunk that their memory will go up in
Soundly invite himhis two chamberlains smoke through the chimneys of their brains.
Will I with wine and wassail so convince When they lie asleep like pigs, so drunk theyll be
65 That memory, the warder of the brain, dead to the world, what wont you and I be able to
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason do to the unguarded Duncan? And whatever we
A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep do, we can lay all the blame on the drunken
Their drenchd natures lie as in a death, servants.
What cannot you and I perform upon
70 The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?
MACBETH MACBETH
Bring forth men-children only, May you only give birth to male children, because
For thy undaunted mettle should compose your fearless spirit should create nothing that isnt
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, masculine. Once we have covered the two
75 When we have marked with blood those sleepy two servants with blood, and used their daggers to
Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, kill, wont people believe that they were the
That they have done t? culprits?

Who dares receive it other, Who could think it happened any other way?
As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Well be grieving loudly when we hear that
Upon his death? Duncan has died.
MACBETH MACBETH
I am settled, and bend up Now Im decided, and I will exert every muscle in
80 Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. my body to commit this crime. Go now, and
Away, and mock the time with fairest show. pretend to be a friendly hostess. Hide with a false
False face must hide what the false heart doth know. pleasant face what you know in your false, evil
heart.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 2, Scene 1
Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE, with a torch before BANQUO enters with FLEANCE, who lights the
him way with a torch.
BANQUO BANQUO
How goes the night, boy? Hows the night going, boy?
FLEANCE FLEANCE
The moon is down. I have not heard the clock. The moon has set. The clock hasnt struck yet.
BANQUO BANQUO
And she goes down at twelve. The moon sets at twelve, right?
FLEANCE FLEANCE
I take t tis later, sir. I think its later than that, sir.
BANQUO BANQUO
Hold, take my sword. Theres husbandry in heaven; Here, take my sword. The heavens are being
5 Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. stingy with their light. Take this, too. Im tired and
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, feeling heavy, but I cant sleep. Merciful powers,
And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, keep away the nightmares that plague me when I
Restrain in me the cursd thoughts that nature rest!
Gives way to in repose.
Enter MACBETH and a SERVANT with a torch MACBETH enters with a SERVANT, who carries
a torch.
Give me my sword. Whos there? Give me my sword. Whos there?
MACBETH MACBETH
10 A friend. A friend.
BANQUO BANQUO
What, sir, not yet at rest? The kings a-bed. Youre not asleep yet, sir? The kings in bed. Hes
He hath been in unusual pleasure, and been in an unusually good mood and has granted
Sent forth great largess to your offices. many gifts to your household and servants. This
This diamond he greets your wife withal, diamond is a present from him to your wife for her
15 By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up boundless hospitality. (he hands MACBETH a
In measureless content. diamond)
MACBETH MACBETH
Being unprepared, Because we were unprepared for the kings visit,
Our will became the servant to defect, we werent able to entertain him as well as we
Which else should free have wrought. would have wanted to.

BANQUO BANQUO
Alls well. Everythings OK. I had a dream last night about
I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: the three witches. At least part of what they said
20 To you they have showed some truth. about you was true.
MACBETH MACBETH
I think not of them. I dont think about them now. But when we have
Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, an hour to spare we can talk more about it, if
We would spend it in some words upon that youre willing.
business,
If you would grant the time.
BANQUO BANQUO
At your kindst leisure. Whenever you like.
MACBETH MACBETH
If you shall cleave to my consent, when tis, If you stick with me, when the time comes, there
25 It shall make honor for you. will be something in it for you.
BANQUO BANQUO
So I lose none Ill do whatever you say, as long as I can do it
In seeking to augment it, but still keep with a clear conscience.
My bosom franchised and allegiance clear,
I shall be counselled.
MACBETH MACBETH
Good repose the while! Rest easy in the meantime.
BANQUO BANQUO
30 Thanks, sir: the like to you! Thank you, sir. You do the same.
Exeunt BANQUO and FLEANCE BANQUO and FLEANCE exit.
MACBETH MACBETH
(to the SERVANT) Go bid thy mistress, when my (to the SERVANT) Go and tell your mistress to
drink is ready, strike the bell when my drink is ready. Get
She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. yourself to bed.
Is this a dagger which I see before me, Is this a dagger I see in front of me, with its
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch handle pointing toward my hand? (to the
35 thee. dagger)Come, let me hold you. (he grabs at the
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. air in front of him without touching anything) I
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible dont have you but I can still see you. Fateful
To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but apparition, isnt it possible to touch you as well as
A dagger of the mind, a false creation, see you? Or are you nothing more than a dagger
40 Proceeding from the heat-oppressd brain? created by the mind, a hallucination from my
I see thee yet, in form as palpable fevered brain? I can still see you, and you look as
As this which now I draw. real as this other dagger that Im pulling out
Thou marshallst me the way that I was going, now. (he draws a dagger) Youre leading me
And such an instrument I was to use. toward the place I was going already, and I was
45 Mine eyes are made the fools o' th' other senses, planning to use a weapon just like you. My
Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still, eyesight must either be the one sense thats not
And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, working, or else its the only one thats working
Which was not so before. Theres no such thing. right. I can still see you, and I see blood splotches
It is the bloody business which informs on your blade and handle that werent there
50 Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one half-world before. (to himself) Theres no dagger here. Its
Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the murder Im about to do thats making me think
The curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates I see one. Now half the world is asleep and being
Pale Hecates offerings, and withered murder, deceived by evil nightmares. Witches are offering
Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf, sacrifices to their goddess Hecate. Old man
55 Whose howls his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, murder, having been roused by the howls of his
With Tarquins ravishing strides, towards his design wolf, walks silently to his destination, moving
Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, like Tarquin, as quiet as a ghost. (speaking to the
Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear ground) Hard ground, dont listen to the direction
Thy very stones prate of my whereabout, of my steps. I dont want you to echo back where
60 And take the present horror from the time, I am and break the terrible stillness of this
Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives. moment, a silence that is so appropriate for what
Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. Im about to do. While I stay here talking, Duncan
lives. The more I talk, the more my courage
cools.

A bell rings A bell rings.
I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Im going now. The murder is as good as done.
Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell The bell is telling me to do it. Dont listen to the
That summons thee to heaven or to hell. bell, Duncan, because it summons you either to
heaven or to hell.
Exit MACBETH exits.
Act 2, Scene 2
That which hath made them drunk hath made me The alcohol that got the servants drunk has made
bold. me bold. The same liquor that quenched their
What hath quenched them hath given me fire. thirst has fired me up. Listen! Quiet! That was the
Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal owl that shrieked, with a scary good night like
5 bellman, the bells they ring before they execute people.
Which gives the sternst good-night. He is about it. Macbeth must be killing the king right now. The
The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms doors to Duncans chamber are open, and the
Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged drunk servants make a mockery of their jobs by
their possets, snoring instead of protecting the king. I put so
That death and nature do contend about them, many drugs in their drinks that you cant tell if
Whether they live or die. theyre alive or dead.
MACBETH MACBETH
(within) Whos there? What, ho! (from offstage) Whos there? What is it?
Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, Oh no, Im afraid the servants woke up, and the
10 And tis not done. Th' attempt and not the deed murder didnt happen. For us to attempt murder
Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready; and not succeed would ruin us. (She hears a
He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled noise.) Listen to that! I put the servants' daggers
My father as he slept, I had done t. where Macbeth would find them. He couldnt
have missed them. If Duncan hadnt reminded me
of my father when I saw him sleeping, I would
have killed him myself.
Enter MACBETH, with bloody daggers MACBETH enters carrying bloody daggers.
My husband! My husband!
MACBETH MACBETH
I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise? I have done the deed. Did you hear a noise?
15 I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.
Did not you speak? Didnt you say something?
MACBETH MACBETH
When? When?

Now. Just now.
MACBETH MACBETH
As I descended? As I came down?
Ay. Yes.
MACBETH MACBETH
Hark! Who lies i' th' second chamber? Listen! Whos sleeping in the second chamber?
Donalbain. Donalbain.
MACBETH MACBETH
20 (looking at his hands) This is a sorry sight. (looking at his bloody hands) This is a sorry sight.
A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. Thats a stupid thing to say.
MACBETH MACBETH
Theres one did laugh in s sleep, and one cried. One of the servants laughed in his sleep, and one
Murder! cried, Murder! and they woke each other up. I
That they did wake each other. I stood and heard stood and listened to them, but then they said
25 them. their prayers and went back to sleep.
But they did say their prayers, and addressed them
Again to sleep.
There are two lodged together. Malcolm and Donalbain are asleep in the same
room.
MACBETH MACBETH
One cried, God bless us! and Amen the other, One servant cried, God bless us! and the other
As they had seen me with these hangmans hands. replied, Amen, as if they had seen my bloody
List'ning their fear I could not say Amen, hands. Listening to their frightened voices, I
When they did say God bless us! couldnt reply Amen when they said God bless
us!
30 Consider it not so deeply. Dont think about it so much.
MACBETH MACBETH
But wherefore could not I pronounce Amen? But why couldnt I say Amen? I desperately
I had most need of blessing, and Amen needed Gods blessing, but the word Amen
Stuck in my throat. stuck in my throat.
These deeds must not be thought We cant think that way about what we did. If we
After these ways. So, it will make us mad. do, itll drive us crazy.

MACBETH MACBETH
35 Methought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more! I thought I heard a voice cry, Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleepthe innocent sleep, Macbeth is murdering sleep. Innocent sleep.
Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep
The death of each days life, sore labors bath, that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the
Balm of hurt minds, great natures second course, weary laborer and heals hurt minds. Sleep, the
40 Chief nourisher in lifes feast. main course in lifes feast, and the most
nourishing.
What do you mean? What are you talking about?
MACBETH MACBETH
Still it cried, Sleep no more! to all the house. The voice kept crying, Sleep no more! to
Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor everyone in the house. Macbeth has murdered
Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more. sleep, and therefore Macbeth will sleep no more.
Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, Who said that? Why, my worthy lord, you let
45 You do unbend your noble strength to think yourself become weak when you think about
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, things in this cowardly way. Go get some water
And wash this filthy witness from your hand. and wash this bloody evidence from your hands.
Why did you bring these daggers from the place? Why did you carry these daggers out of the
They must lie there. Go carry them and smear room? They have to stay there. Go take them
50 The sleepy grooms with blood. back and smear the sleeping guards with the
blood.
MACBETH MACBETH
Ill go no more: I cant go back. Im afraid even to think about
I am afraid to think what I have done; what Ive done. I cant stand to look at it again.
Look on t again I dare not.
Infirm of purpose! Coward! Give me the daggers. Dead and
Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead sleeping people cant hurt you any more than
Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood pictures can. Only children are afraid of scary
55 That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, pictures. If Duncan bleeds Ill paint the servants'
Ill gild the faces of the grooms withal, faces with his blood. We must make it seem like
For it must seem their guilt. theyre guilty.
Exit LADY MACBETH exits.
Knock within A sound of knocking from offstage.

MACBETH MACBETH
Whence is that knocking? Where is that knocking coming from? Whats
How is t with me when every noise appals me? happening to me, that Im frightened of every
What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. noise? (looking at his hands) Whose hands are
60 Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood these? Ha! Theyre plucking out my eyes. Will all
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the water in the ocean wash this blood from my
The multitudinous seas incarnadine, hands? No, instead my hands will stain the seas
Making the green one red. scarlet, turning the green waters red.
My hands are of your color, but I shame My hands are as red as yours, but I would be
65 To wear a heart so white. ashamed if my heart were as pale and weak.
I hear a knocking I hear someone knocking at the south entry. Lets
At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber. go back to our bedroom. A little water will wash
A little water clears us of this deed. away the evidence of our guilt. Its so simple!
How easy is it, then! Your constancy Youve lost your resolve.
Hath left you unattended.
70 Hark! More knocking. Listen! Theres more knocking. Put on your
Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us nightgown, in case someone comes and sees
And show us to be watchers. Be not lost that were awake. Snap out of your daze.
So poorly in your thoughts.
MACBETH MACBETH
To know my deed, twere best not know myself. Rather than have to think about my crime, Id
prefer to be completely unconscious.
75 Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou Wake Duncan with your knocking. I wish you
couldst. could!
Exeunt They exit.
Act 2, Scene 3
Enter a PORTER. Knocking within A sound of knocking from offstage. A PORTER ,
who is obviously drunk, enters.
PORTER PORTER
Heres a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of This is a lot of knocking! Come to think of it, if a
hell-gate, he should have old turning the key. man were in charge of opening the gates of hell to
let people in, he would have to turn the key a lot.
Knock, knock, knock! Whos there, i' th' name of Knock, knock, knock! (pretending hes the
Beelzebub? Heres a farmer that hanged himself on gatekeeper in hell) Whos there, in the devils
the expectation of plenty. Come in time, have napkins name? Maybe its a farmer who killed himself
enough about you, here youll sweat for t. because grain was cheap. (talking to the
imaginary farmer) Youre here just in time! I hope
you brought some handkerchiefs; youre going to
sweat a lot here.
Knock, knock! Whos there, in th' other devils name? Knock, knock! Whos there, in the other devils
Faith, heres an equivocator that could swear in both name? Maybe its some slick, two-faced con man
the scales against either scale, who committed who lied under oath. But he found out that you
treason enough for Gods sake, yet could not cant lie to God, and now hes going to hell for
equivocate to heaven. O, come in, equivocator. perjury. Come on in, con man.
5 Knock, knock, knock! Whos there? Faith, heres an Knock, knock, knock! Whos there? Maybe its an
English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French English tailor who liked to skimp on the fabric for
hose. Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose. peoples clothes. But now that tight pants are in
fashion he cant get away with it. Come on in,

tailor. You can heat your iron up in here.

Knock, knock! Never at quiet. What are you? But this Knock, knock! Never a moment of peace! Who
place is too cold for hell. Ill devil-porter it no further. I are you? Ah, this place is too cold to be hell. I
had thought to have let in some of all professions that wont pretend to be the devils porter anymore. I
go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire. was going to let someone from every profession
into hell.
Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter. Im coming, Im coming! Please, dont forget to
leave me a tip.
Opens the gate The PORTER opens the gate.
Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX MACDUFF and LENNOX enter.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, Did you go to bed so late, my friend, that youre
That you do lie so late? having a hard time getting up now?
PORTER PORTER
10 'Faith sir, we were carousing till the second cock. And Thats right sir, we were drinking until 3 A.M., and
drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things. drink, sir, makes a man do three things.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
What three things does drink especially provoke? What three things does drink make a man do?
PORTER PORTER
Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, Drinking turns your nose red, it puts you to sleep,
sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes the and it makes you urinate. Lust it turns on but also
desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore, turns off. What I mean is, drinking stimulates
much drink may be said to be an equivocator with desire but hinders performance. Therefore, too
lechery. It makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, much drink is like a con artist when it comes to
and it takes him off; it persuades him, and your sex drive. It sets you up for a fall. It gets you
disheartens him; makes him stand to and not stand up but it keeps you from getting off. It persuades
to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, you and discourages you. It gives you an erection
giving him the lie, leaves him. but doesnt let you keep it, if you see what Im
saying. It makes you dream about erotic
experiences, but then it leaves you asleep and
needing to pee.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
I believe drink gave thee the lie last night. I believe drink did all of this to you last night.

PORTER PORTER
That it did, sir, i' th' very throat on me; but I requited It did, sir. It got me right in the throat. But I got
him for his lie, and, I think, being too strong for him, even with drink. I was too strong for it. Although it
though he took up my legs sometime, yet I made a weakened my legs and made me unsteady, I
shift to cast him. managed to vomit it out and laid it flat on the
ground.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
15 Is thy master stirring? Is your master awake?
Our knocking has awaked him. Here he comes. Our knocking woke him up. Here he comes.
LENNOX LENNOX
Good morrow, noble sir. Good morning, noble sir.
MACBETH MACBETH
Good morrow, both. Good morning to both of you.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Is the king stirring, worthy thane? Is the king awake, worthy thane?
MACBETH MACBETH
Not yet. Not yet.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
He did command me to call timely on him. He commanded me to wake him up early. Ive
20 I have almost slipped the hour. almost missed the time he requested.
MACBETH MACBETH
Ill bring you to him. Ill bring you to him.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
I know this is a joyful trouble to you, I know the burden of hosting him is both an honor
But yet tis one. and a trouble, but that doesnt mean its not a
trouble just the same.
MACBETH MACBETH
The labor we delight in physics pain. The work we enjoy is not really work. This is the
This is the door. door.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
25 Ill make so bold to call, Ill wake him, because thats my job.
For tis my limited service.
Exit MACDUFF MACDUFF exits.
LENNOX LENNOX
Goes the king hence today? Is the king leaving here today?

MACBETH MACBETH
He does. He did appoint so. He is. He told us to arrange it.
LENNOX LENNOX
The night has been unruly. Where we lay, The night has been chaotic. The wind blew down
Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, through the chimneys where we were sleeping.
30 Lamentings heard i' th' air, strange screams of death, People are saying they heard cries of grief in the
And prophesying with accents terrible air, strange screams of death, and terrible voices
Of dire combustion and confused events predicting catastrophes that will usher in a woeful
New hatched to the woeful time. The obscure bird new age. The owl made noise all night. Some
Clamored the livelong night. Some say the Earth people say that the earth shook as if it had a
35 Was feverous and did shake. fever.
MACBETH MACBETH
'Twas a rough night. It was a rough night.
LENNOX LENNOX
My young remembrance cannot parallel Im too young to remember anything like it.
A fellow to it.
Enter MACDUFF MACDUFF enters, upset.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
O horror, horror, horror! Oh, horror, horror, horror! This is beyond words
Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee! and beyond belief!
MACBETH & LENNOX MACBETH & LENNOX
Whats the matter? Whats the matter?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
40 Confusion now hath made his masterpiece. The worst thing imaginable has happened. A
Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope murderer has broken into Gods temple and
The Lords anointed temple, and stole thence stolen the life out of it.
The life o' th' building!
MACBETH MACBETH
What is t you say? The life? What are you talking about? The life?
LENNOX LENNOX
Mean you his majesty? Do you mean the king?

MACDUFF MACDUFF
45 Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight Go into the bedroom and see for yourself. Whats
With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak. in there will make you freeze with horror. Dont
See, and then speak yourselves. ask me to talk about it. Go look and then do the
talking yourselves.
Exeunt MACBETH and LENNOX MACBETH and LENNOX exit.
Awake, awake! Wake up, wake up! Ring the alarm bell. Murder
Ring the alarum bell. Murder and treason! and treason! Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm!
50 Banquo and Donalbain! Malcolm! Awake! Wake up! Shake off sleep, which looks like death,
Shake off this downy sleep, deaths counterfeit, and look at death itself! Get up, get up, and look
And look on death itself! Up, up, and see at this image of doomsday! Malcolm! Banquo!
The great dooms image! Malcolm! Banquo! Get up from your beds as if you were rising out of
As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites, your own graves, and walk like ghosts to come
55 To countenance this horror! Ring the bell witness this horror. Ring the bell.
Bell rings. Enter LADY MACBETH A bell rings. LADY MACBETH enters.
Whats the business, Whats going on? Why is that terrifying trumpet
That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley calling together everyone whos sleeping in the
The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak! house? Speak up and tell me!
MACDUFF MACDUFF
O gentle lady, Oh gentle lady, my news isnt fit for your ears. If I
'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak: repeated it to you, it would kill you as soon as you
60 The repetition, in a womans ear, heard it.
Would murder as it fell.
Enter BANQUO BANQUO enters.
O Banquo, Banquo, Oh Banquo, Banquo, the king has been
Our royal masters murdered! murdered!
Woe, alas! How horrible! What, in our own house?
What, in our house?

BANQUO BANQUO
65 Too cruel any where. It would be a terrible event no matter where it
Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself, happened. Dear Macduff, I beg you, tell us you
And say it is not so. were lying and say it isnt so.
Enter MACBETH, LENNOX, and ROSS MACBETH and LENNOX reenter, with ROSS.
MACBETH MACBETH
Had I but died an hour before this chance, If I had only died an hour before this event I could
I had lived a blessd time, for from this instant say I had lived a blessed life. Because from this
70 Theres nothing serious in mortality. moment on, there is nothing worth living for.
All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead. Everything is a sick joke. The graceful and
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees renowned king is dead. The wine of life has been
Is left this vault to brag of. poured out, and only the dregs remain.
Enter MALCOLM and DONALBAIN MALCOLM and DONALBAIN enter.
DONALBAIN DONALBAIN
What is amiss? Whats wrong?
MACBETH MACBETH
75 You are, and do not know t. You are, but you dont know it yet. The source
The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood from which your royal blood comes has been
Is stopped; the very source of it is stopped. stopped.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Your royal fathers murdered. Your royal father is murdered.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Oh, by whom? Who did it?
LENNOX LENNOX
Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done t. It seems that the guards who were supposed to
80 Their hands and faces were all badged with blood. be protecting his chamber did it. Their hands and
So were their daggers, which unwiped we found faces were all covered with blood. So were their
Upon their pillows. They stared, and were distracted. daggers, which we found on their pillows,
No mans life was to be trusted with them. unwiped. They stared at us in confusion. No
ones life should have been entrusted to them.
MACBETH MACBETH
Oh, yet I do repent me of my fury, And yet I still regret the anger that drove me to kill
85 That I did kill them. them.

MACDUFF MACDUFF
Wherefore did you so? What did you do that for?
MACBETH MACBETH
Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious, Is it possible to be wise, bewildered, calm,
Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. furious, loyal, and neutral all at once? Nobody
Th' expedition of my violent love can do that. The violent rage inspired by my love
90 Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan, for Duncan caused me to act before I could think
His silver skin laced with his golden blood, rationally and tell myself to pause. There was
And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature Duncan, his white skin all splattered with his
For ruins wasteful entrance; there, the murderers, precious blood. The gashes where the knives
Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers had cut him looked like wounds to nature itself.
95 Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain, Then right next to him I saw the murderers,
That had a heart to love, and in that heart dripping with blood, their daggers rudely covered
Courage to make s love known? in gore. Who could have restrained himself, who
loved Duncan and had the courage to act on it?
Help me hence, ho! Help me out of here, quickly!
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Look to the lady. Take care of the lady.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
(aside to DONALBAIN ) Why do we hold our (speaking so that only DONALBAIN can
100 tongues, hear)Why are we keeping quiet? The two of us
That most may claim this argument for ours? have the most to say in this matter.
DONALBAIN DONALBAIN
(aside to MALCOLM) What should be spoken here, (speaking so that only MALCOLM can hear)What
where our fate, are we going to say here, where danger may be
Hid in an auger-hole, may rush and seize us? waiting to strike at us from anywhere? Lets get
Lets away. Our tears are not yet brewed. out of here. We havent even begun to weep
yetbut there will be time for that later.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
(aside to DONALBAIN) Nor our strong sorrow (speaking so that only DONALBAIN can
105 Upon the foot of motion. hear)And the time hasnt come yet for us to turn
our deep grief into action.
BANQUO BANQUO
Look to the lady. Take care of the lady.
Exit LADY MACBETH, attended LADY MACBETH is carried out.

And when we have our naked frailties hid, When were properly dressed for the cold, lets
That suffer in exposure, let us meet meet and discuss this bloody crime to see if we
And question this most bloody piece of work, can figure anything out. Right now were shaken
To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us. up by fears and doubts. Im putting myself in
110 In the great hand of God I stand, and thence Gods hands, and with his help I plan to fight
Against the undivulged pretense I fight against the secret plot that caused this
Of treasonous malice. treasonous murder.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
And so do I. So will I.
ALL ALL
So all. So will we all.
MACBETH MACBETH
Lets briefly put on manly readiness, Lets get dressed quickly and then meet in the
115 And meet i' th' hall together. hall.
ALL ALL
Well contented. Agreed.
Exeunt all but MALCOLM and DONALBAIN Everyone exits
except MALCOLM andDONALBAIN.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
What will you do? Lets not consort with them. What are you going to do? Lets not stay here
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office with them. Its easy for a liar to pretend to feel
Which the false man does easy. Ill to England. sorrow when he actually feels none. Im going to
England.
DONALBAIN DONALBAIN
To Ireland, I. Our separated fortune Ill go to Ireland. Well both be safer if we go
120 Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, separate ways. Wherever we go, men will smile
Theres daggers in mens smiles. The near in blood, at us while hiding daggers. Our closest relatives
The nearer bloody. are the ones most likely to murder us.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
This murderous shaft thats shot We havent yet encountered that danger, and the
Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way best thing to do is avoid it entirely. With that in
125 Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse, mind, lets get on our horses. Wed better not
And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, worry about saying polite good-byes; we should
But shift away. Theres warrant in that theft just get away quickly. Theres good reason to
Which steals itself when theres no mercy left. escape when theres no mercy to be found
anymore.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 2, Scene 4
Enter ROSS with an OLD MAN ROSS and an OLD MAN enter.
OLD MAN OLD MAN
Threescore and ten I can remember well, I can remember the past seventy years pretty
Within the volume of which time I have seen well, and in all that time I have seen dreadful
Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore night hours and strange things. But last nights horrors
Hath trifled former knowings. make everything that came before seem like a
joke.
ROSS ROSS
Ha, good father, Ah yes, old man. You can see the skies. They
5 Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with mans act, look like theyre upset about what mankind has
Threatens his bloody stage. By th' clock tis day, been doing, and theyre threatening the Earth
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp. with storms. The clock says its daytime, but dark
Is t nights predominance or the days shame night is strangling the sun. Is it because night is
That darkness does the face of Earth entomb so strong, or because day is so weak, that
10 When living light should kiss it? darkness covers the earth when its supposed to
be light?
OLD MAN OLD MAN
'Tis unnatural, Its unnatural, just like the murder that has been
Even like the deed thats done. On Tuesday last, committed. Last Tuesday a falcon was circling
A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place, high in the sky, and it was caught and killed by an
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed. ordinary owl that usually goes after mice.
ROSS ROSS
And Duncans horsesa thing most strange and And something else strange happened. Duncans
15 certain horses, which are beautiful and swift and the best
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, of their breed, suddenly turned wild and broke out
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, of their stalls. Refusing to be obedient as usual,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would they acted like they were at war with mankind.
Make war with mankind.
OLD MAN OLD MAN
'Tis said they eat each other. They say the horses ate each other.
ROSS ROSS
They did so, to th' amazement of mine eyes I saw it with my own eyes. It was an amazing
20 That looked upon t. Here comes the good Macduff. sight. Here comes the good Macduff.
Enter MACDUFF MACDUFF enters.

How goes the world, sir, now? How are things going now?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Why, see you not? Cant you see for yourself?
ROSS ROSS
Is t known who did this more than bloody deed? Does anyone know who committed this horrible
crime?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Those that Macbeth hath slain. The servants Macbeth killed.
ROSS ROSS
Alas, the day! Its too bad he killed them. What good would it
What good could they pretend? have done those men to kill Duncan?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
They were suborned. They were paid to betray their master. Malcolm
25 Malcolm and Donalbain, the kings two sons, and Donalbain, the kings two sons, have run
Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them away and fled, which makes them the prime
Suspicion of the deed. suspects.
ROSS ROSS
'Gainst nature still! Everything about this is unnatural! What a stupid
Thriftless ambition, that will raven up ambition, causing a son to kill the father who
30 Thine own lives' means! Then tis most like supports him. Then it looks like Macbeth will
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. become king.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
He is already named and gone to Scone He has already been named king and has left for
To be invested. Scone to be crowned.
ROSS ROSS
Where is Duncans body? Where is Duncans body?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
35 Carried to Colmekill, It was carried to Colmekill to be placed in the
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, tomb of his ancestors, where their bones are kept
And guardian of their bones. safe.
ROSS ROSS
Will you to Scone? Are you going to Scone?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
No, cousin, Ill to Fife. No, cousin, Im going to Fife.
ROSS ROSS
Well, I will thither. Well, Ill go to Scone.

MACDUFF MACDUFF
40 Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu, I hope things go well there. Good-bye! And lets
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new! hope things dont get worse.
ROSS ROSS
Farewell, father. Farewell, old man.
OLD MAN OLD MAN
Gods benison go with you and with those May Gods blessing go with you and with all who
That would make good of bad and friends of foes. turn bad into good, and enemies into friends!
Act 3, Scene 1
Enter BANQUO BANQUO enters.
BANQUO BANQUO
Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, Now you have it all: youre the king, the thane of
As the weird women promised, and I fear Cawdor, and the thane of Glamis, just like the
Thou playedst most foully for t. Yet it was said weird women promised you. And I suspect you
It should not stand in thy posterity, cheated to win these titles. But it was also
5 But that myself should be the root and father prophesied that the crown would not go to your
Of many kings. If there come truth from them descendants, and that my sons and grandsons
As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine would be kings instead. If the witches tell the
Why, by the verities on thee made good, truthwhich they did about youmaybe what
May they not be my oracles as well, they said about me will come true too. But shhh!
10 And set me up in hope? But hush, no more. Ill shut up now.
Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king, LADY A trumpet plays. MACBETH enters dressed as
MACBETH, as king, and LADY MACBETH enters dressed as
queen, LENNOX, ROSS, LORDS,LADIES, and queen, together
attendants with LENNOX, ROSS, LORDS,LADIES, and their
attendants
MACBETH MACBETH
Heres our chief guest. (indicating BANQUO) Heres our most important
guest.
If he had been forgotten, If we forgot him, our big celebration wouldnt be
It had been as a gap in our great feast, complete, and that wouldnt be any good.
And all-thing unbecoming.
MACBETH MACBETH
15 Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, (to BANQUO) Tonight were having a ceremonial
And Ill request your presence. banquet, and I want you to be there.
BANQUO BANQUO
Let your highness Whatever your highness commands me to do, it
Command upon me, to the which my duties is always my duty to do it.
Are with a most indissoluble tie
Forever knit.

MACBETH MACBETH
20 Ride you this afternoon? Are you going riding this afternoon?
BANQUO BANQUO
Ay, my good lord. Yes, my good lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
We should have else desired your good advice We would have liked to have heard your good
Which still hath been both grave and prosperous advice, which has always been serious and
In this days council, but well take tomorrow. helpful, at the council today, but well wait until
25 Is t far you ride? tomorrow. Are you riding far?
BANQUO BANQUO
As far, my lord, as will fill up the time Im going far enough that Ill be riding from now
'Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better, until dinner. Unless my horse goes faster than
I must become a borrower of the night expected, I will be back an hour or two after
For a dark hour or twain. sunset.
MACBETH MACBETH
Fail not our feast. Dont miss our feast.
BANQUO BANQUO
30 My lord, I will not. My lord, I wont miss it.
MACBETH MACBETH
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed We hear that the princes, those murderers, have
In England and in Ireland, not confessing hidden in England and Ireland. They havent
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers confessed to cruelly murdering their own father,
With strange invention. But of that tomorrow, and theyve been making up strange lies to tell
35 When therewithal we shall have cause of state their hosts. But we can talk more about that
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu, tomorrow, when well discuss matters of state that
Till your return at night. Goes Fleance with you? concern us both. Hurry up and get to your horse.
Good-bye, until you return tonight. Is Fleance
going with you?
BANQUO BANQUO
Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon s. Yes, my good lord. Its time we hit the road.
MACBETH MACBETH
I wish your horses swift and sure of foot, I hope your horses are fast and surefooted. And
40 And so I do commend you to their backs. with that, I send you to them. Farewell.
Farewell.
Exit BANQUO BANQUO exits.
Let every man be master of his time Everybody may do as they please until seven
Till seven at night. To make society o'clock tonight. In order to make your company
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself even more enjoyable, Im going to keep to myself
45 Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you! until suppertime. Until then, God be with you!

Exeunt all except MACBETH and a SERVANT Everyone exits except MACBETH and
aSERVANT
Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men (to the SERVANT) You there, let me have a word
Our pleasure? with you. Are those men waiting for me?
SERVANT SERVANT
They are, my lord, without the palace gate. Theyre waiting outside the palace gate, my lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
Bring them before us. Bring them to me.
50 To be thus is nothing, To be the king is nothing if Im not safe as the
But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo king. Im very afraid of Banquo. Theres
Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature something noble about him that makes me fear
Reigns that which would be feared. 'Tis much he him. Hes willing to take risks, and his mind never
dares, stops working. He has the wisdom to act bravely
55 And to that dauntless temper of his mind but also safely. Im not afraid of anyone but him.
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor Around him, my guardian angel is frightened, just
To act in safety. There is none but he as Mark Antonys angel supposedly feared
Whose being I do fear, and under him Octavius Caesar. Banquo chided the witches
My genius is rebuked, as it is said when they first called me king, asking them to tell
60 Mark Antonys was by Caesar. He chid the sisters him his own future. Then, like prophets, they
When first they put the name of king upon me named him the father to a line of kings. They
And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike, gave me a crown and a scepter that I cant pass
They hailed him father to a line of kings. on. Someone outside my family will take these
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown things away from me, since no son of mine will
65 And put a barren scepter in my grip, take my place as king. If this is true, then Ive
Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, tortured my conscience and murdered the
No son of mine succeeding. If t be so, gracious Duncan for Banquos sons. Ive ruined
For Banquos issue have I filed my mind; my own peace for their benefit. Ive handed over
For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered; my everlasting soul to the devil so that they could
70 Put rancors in the vessel of my peace be kings. Banquos sons, kings! Instead of
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel watching that happen, I will challenge fate to
Given to the common enemy of man, battle and fight to the death. Whos there!
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come fate into the list,
And champion me to th' utterance. Whos there?
Enter SERVANT and two MURDERERS The SERVANT comes back in with
twoMURDERERS

75 Now go to the door and stay there till we call. Now go to the door and stay there until I call for
you.
Was it not yesterday we spoke together? Wasnt it just yesterday that we spoke to each
other?
FIRST MURDERER FIRST MURDERER
It was, so please your highness. It was yesterday, your highness.
MACBETH MACBETH
Well then, now Well, did you think about what I said? You should
Have you considered of my speeches? Know know that it was Banquo who made your lives
That it was he, in the times past, which held you hell for so long, which you always thought was
80 So under fortune, which you thought had been my fault. But I was innocent. I showed you the
Our innocent self. This I made good to you proof at our last meeting. I explained how you
In our last conference, passed in probation with you, were deceived, how you were thwarted, the
How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the things that were used against you, who was
instruments, working against you, and a lot of other things that
85 Who wrought with them, and all things else that would convince even a half-wit or a crazy person
might to say, Banquo did it!
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say, Thus did Banquo.
You made it known to us. You explained it all.
MACBETH MACBETH
I did so, and went further, which is now I did that and more, which brings me to the point
Our point of second meeting. Do you find of this second meeting. Are you so patient and
Your patience so predominant in your nature forgiving that youre going to let him off the hook?
90 That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled Are you so pious that you would pray for this
To pray for this good man and for his issue, man and his children, a man who has pushed
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave you toward an early grave and put your family in
And beggared yours forever? poverty forever?
We are men, my liege. We are men, my lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men, Yes, youre part of the species called men. Just
95 As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, as hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
curs, mutts, shaggy lapdogs, swimming dogs, and
Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept wolf-dog crossbreeds are all dogs. But if you list
All by the name of dogs. The valued file the different kinds of dogs according to their
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, qualities, you can distinguish which breeds are
100 The housekeeper, the hunter, every one fast or slow, which ones are clever, which ones
According to the gift which bounteous nature are watchdogs, and which ones hunters. You can
Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive classify each dog according to the natural gifts
Particular addition, from the bill that separate it from all other dogs. Its the same
That writes them all alike. And so of men. with men. Now, if you occupy some place in the
105 Now, if you have a station in the file, list of men that isnt down at the very bottom, tell
Not i' th' worst rank of manhood, say t, me. Because if thats the case, I will tell you a
And I will put that business in your bosoms, plan that will get rid of your enemy and bring you
Whose execution takes your enemy off, closer to me. As long as Banquo lives, I am sick.
Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Ill be healthy when he is dead.
110 Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect.

SECOND MURDERER SECOND MURDERER
I am one, my liege, My lord, Ive been so kicked around by the world,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world and Im so angry, that I dont even care what I
Have so incensed that I am reckless what do.
I do to spite the world.
And I another Im the same. Im so sick of bad luck and trouble
115 So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune, that Id risk my life on any bet, as long as it would
That I would set my life on any chance, either fix my life or end it once and for all.
To mend it or be rid on t.
MACBETH MACBETH
Both of you You both know Banquo was your enemy.
Know Banquo was your enemy.
BOTH MURDERERS BOTH MURDERERS
True, my lord. Its true, my lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
So is he mine; and in such bloody distance Hes my enemy too, and I hate him so much that
120 That every minute of his being thrusts every minute hes alive it eats away at my heart.
Against my nearst of life. And though I could Since Im king, I could simply use my power to
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight get rid of him. But I cant do that, because he and
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, I have friends in common whom I need, so I have
For certain friends that are both his and mine, to be able to moan and cry over his death in
125 Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall public even though Ill be the one who had him
Who I myself struck down. And thence it is, killed. Thats why I need your help right now. I
That I to your assistance do make love, have to hide my real plans from the public eye
Masking the business from the common eye for many important reasons.
For sundry weighty reasons.

130 We shall, my lord, Well do what you want us to, my lord.
Perform what you command us.
Though our lives Though our lives
MACBETH MACBETH
Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at (interrupts him) I can see the determination in
most your eyes. Within the next hour Ill tell you where
I will advise you where to plant yourselves, to go and exactly when to strike. It must be done
135 Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' th' time, tonight, away from the palace. Always remember
The moment on t; for t must be done tonight, that I must be free from suspicion. For the plan to
And something from the palace; always thought work perfectly, you must kill both Banquo and his
That I require a clearness. And with him son, Fleance, who keeps him company. Getting
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work rid of Fleance is as important to me as knocking
140 Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, off Banquo. Each of you should make up your
Whose absence is no less material to me own mind about whether youre going to do this.
Than is his fathers, must embrace the fate Ill come to you soon.
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart.
Ill come to you anon.
BOTH MURDERERS BOTH MURDERERS
We are resolved, my lord. We have decided, my lord. Were in.
MACBETH MACBETH
145 Ill call upon you straight. Abide within. Ill call for you soon. Stay inside.
Exeunt MURDERERS The MURDERERS exit.

It is concluded. Banquo, thy souls flight, The deal is closed. Banquo, if your soul is going
If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. to make it to heaven, tonights the night.
Exit He exits.
Act 3, Scene 2
Enter LADY MACBETH and a SERVANT LADY MACBETH and a SERVANT enter.
Is Banquo gone from court? Has Banquo left the court?
SERVANT SERVANT
Ay, madam, but returns again tonight. Yes, madam, but hell be back tonight.
Say to the king I would attend his leisure Go tell the king I want to talk to him for a few
For a few words. minutes.
SERVANT SERVANT
5 Madam, I will. No problem, madam.
Naughts had, alls spent, If you get what you want and youre still not
Where our desire is got without content. happy, youve spent everything and gained
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy nothing. Its better to be the person who gets
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. murdered than to be the killer and be tormented
with anxiety.
10 How now, my lord! Why do you keep alone, Whats going on, my lord? Why are you keeping
Of sorriest fancies your companions making, to yourself, with only your sad thoughts to keep
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died you company? Those thoughts should have died
With them they think on? Things without all remedy when you killed the men youre thinking about. If
Should be without regard. Whats done is done. you cant fix it, you shouldnt give it a second
thought. Whats done is done.
MACBETH MACBETH
15 We have scorched the snake, not killed it. We have slashed the snake but not killed it. It will
Shell close and be herself whilst our poor malice heal and be as good as new, and well be
Remains in danger of her former tooth. threatened by its fangs once again. But the
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds universe can fall apart, and heaven and earth
suffer, crumble, before Ill eat my meals in fear and
20 Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep spend my nights tossing and turning with these
In the affliction of these terrible dreams nightmares Ive been having. Id rather be dead
That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, than endure this endless mental torture and
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, harrowing sleep deprivation. We killed those men
Than on the torture of the mind to lie and sent them to rest in peace so that we could
25 In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave. gain our own peace. Duncan lies in his grave,
After lifes fitful fever he sleeps well. through with lifes troubles, and hes sleeping
Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison, well. We have already done the worst we can do
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing to him with our treason. After that, nothing can
Can touch him further. hurt him furthernot weapons, poison, rebellion,
invasion, or anything else.

Come on, gentle my lord, Come on, relax, dear. Put on a happy face and
30 Sleek o'er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial look cheerful and agreeable for your guests
Among your guests tonight. tonight.
MACBETH MACBETH
So shall I, love, Thats exactly what Ill do, my love, and I hope
And so, I pray, be you. Let your remembrance youll do the same. Give Banquo your special
Apply to Banquo; present him eminence, attention. Talk to him and look at him in a way
Both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while that we that will make him feel important. Were in a
35 Must lave our honors in these flattering streams, dangerous situation, where we have to flatter him
And make our faces vizards to our hearts, and hide our true feelings.
Disguising what they are.
You must leave this. You have to stop talking like this.
MACBETH MACBETH
Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Argh! I feel like my mind is full of scorpions, my
Thou knowst that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives. dear wife. You know that Banquo and his son
Fleance are still alive.
40 But in them natures copys not eterne. But they cant live forever.
MACBETH MACBETH
Theres comfort yet; they are assailable. Thats comforting. They can be killed, its true. So
Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown be cheerful. Before the bat flies through the
His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecates summons castle, and before the dung beetle makes his little
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums humming noise to tell us its nighttime, a dreadful
45 Hath rung nights yawning peal, there shall be done deed will be done.
A deed of dreadful note.
Whats to be done? What are you going to do?

MACBETH MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Its better you dont know about it until after its
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night, done, when you can applaud it. (to the
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day night)Come, night, and blindfold the kindhearted
50 And with thy bloody and invisible hand day. Use your bloody and invisible hand to tear
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond up Banquos lease on life, which keeps me in
Which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow fear.(to himself) The skys getting dark, and the
Makes wing to th' rooky wood. crow is returning home to the woods. The gentle
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; creatures of the day are falling asleep, while
55 Whiles nights black agents to their preys do rouse. nights predators are waking up to look for their
Thou marvelst at my words: but hold thee still. prey. (to LADY MACBETH) You seem surprised
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill. at my words, but dont question me yet. Bad
So, prithee, go with me. deeds force you to commit more bad deeds. So
please, come with me.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 3, Scene 3
Enter three MURDERERS The two MURDERERS enter with a
thirdMURDERER.
But who did bid thee join with us? But who told you to come here and join us?
THIRD MURDERER THIRD MURDERER
Macbeth. Macbeth.
He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers We can trust this guy. He was given exactly the
Our offices and what we have to do same orders we were.
5 To the direction just.
Then stand with us. Then stay with us. Theres still a bit of daylight in
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day. the sky. Now all the late travellers are hurrying to
Now spurs the lated traveler apace reach their inns. Banquo is almost here.
To gain the timely inn, and near approaches
10 The subject of our watch.
Hark, I hear horses. Listen! I hear horses.
BANQUO BANQUO
(within) Give us a light there, ho! (from offstage) Hey, give us some light here!
Then tis he: the rest That must be him. The rest of the kings guests
That are within the note of expectation are already inside.
Already are i' th' court.
His horses go about. You can hear his horses moving around as the
servants take them to the stables.
Almost a mile; but he does usually Its almost a mile to the palace gate, but Banquo,
15 So all men dofrom hence to the palace gate like everybody else, usually walks from here to
Make it their walk. the palace.
Enter BANQUO and FLEANCE with a torch BANQUO and FLEANCE enter with a torch.

A light, a light! Here comes a light! Here comes a light!
'Tis he. Thats him.
Stand to t. Prepare yourselves.
BANQUO BANQUO
It will be rain tonight. It will rain tonight.
Let it come down. Then let the rain come down.
The MURDERERS attack BANQUO The MURDERERS attack BANQUO.
BANQUO BANQUO
O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Oh, this is treachery! Get out of here, good
20 Thou may st revenge O slave! Fleance, run, run, run! Someday you can get
revenge.Oh, you bastard!
BANQUO dies. Exit FLEANCE BANQUO dies. FLEANCE escapes.
Who did strike out the light? Who put out the light?
FIRSTMURDERER FIRST MURDERER
Was t not the way? Wasnt that the best thing to do?
Theres but one down. The son is fled. Theres only one body here. The son ran away.
We have lost best half of our affair. We failed in half of our mission.
Well, lets away and say how much is done. Well, lets get out of here and tell Macbeth what
we did accomplish.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 3, Scene 4
Banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY The stage is set for a banquet. MACBETH enters
MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX, LORDS, and with LADY
attendants. MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX,LORDS, and their
attendants.
MACBETH MACBETH
You know your own degrees; sit down. At first You know your own ranks, so you know where to
And last, the hearty welcome. sit. Sit down. From the highest to the lowest of
you, I bid you a hearty welcome.
The LORDS sit The LORDS sit down.
LORDS LORDS
Thanks to your majesty. Thanks to your majesty.
MACBETH MACBETH
Ourself will mingle with society I will walk around and mingle with all of you,
And play the humble host. playing the humble host. My wife will stay in her
5 Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time royal chair, but at the appropriate time I will have
We will require her welcome. her welcome you all.
Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends, Say welcome to all of our friends for me, sir, for in
For my heart speaks they are welcome. my heart they are all welcome.
Enter FIRST MURDERER at the door The FIRST MURDERER appears at the door.
MACBETH MACBETH
See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks. And they respond to you with their hearts as well.
10 Both sides are even. Here Ill sit i' th' midst. The table is full on both sides. I will sit here in the
Be large in mirth. Anon well drink a measure middle. Be free and happy. Soon we will toast
The table round. around the table.
(aside to FIRST MURDERER) Theres blood upon (approaching the door and speaking to
thy face. theMURDERER) Theres blood on your face.
'Tis Banquos then. Then it must be Banquos.
MACBETH MACBETH
15 'Tis better thee without than he within. Id rather see his blood splattered on your face
Is he dispatched? than flowing through his veins. Did you finish him
off?

My lord, his throat is cut. That I did for him. My lord, his throat is cut. I did that to him.
MACBETH MACBETH
Thou art the best o' th' cutthroats: You are the best of the cutthroats. But whoever
Yet hes good that did the like for Fleance. did the same to Fleance must also be good. If
20 If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil. you cut both their throats, then you are the
absolute best.
Most royal sir, Fleance is scaped. Most royal sir, Fleance has escaped.
MACBETH MACBETH
Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect, Now Im scared again. Otherwise I would have
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, been perfect, as solid as a piece of marble, as
As broad and general as the casing air. firm as a rock, as free as the air itself. But now
25 But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in Im all tangled up with doubts and fears. But
To saucy doubts and fears.But Banquos safe? Banquos been taken care of?
Ay, my good lord. Safe in a ditch he bides, Yes, my good lord. Hes lying dead in a ditch, with
With twenty trenchd gashes on his head, twenty deep gashes in his head, any one of which
The least a death to nature. would have been enough to kill him.
MACBETH MACBETH
Thanks for that. Thanks for that. The adult snake lies in the ditch.
30 There the grown serpent lies. The worm thats fled The young snake that escaped will in time
Hath nature that in time will venom breed; become poisonous and threatening, but for now
No teeth for th' present. Get thee gone. Tomorrow he has no fangs. Get out of here. Ill talk to you
Well hear ourselves again. again tomorrow.
Exit FIRST MURDERER The FIRST MURDERER exits.
My royal lord, My royal lord, youre not entertaining the guests.
You do not give the cheer. The feast is sold If you dont make your guests know theyre
35 That is not often vouched, while tis a-making, welcome, theyll feel like theyre paying for their
'Tis given with welcome. To feed were best at home; meal. When you just want to eat, its better to do
From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony; that at home. When youre eating out with people,
Meeting were bare without it. you need to have a little more ceremony.
Otherwise dinner parties would be boring.

MACBETH MACBETH
Sweet remembrancer! Its nice of you to remind me. (raising a glass to
Now, good digestion wait on appetite, toast his guests) Since good digestion requires a
40 And health on both! good appetite, and good health requires both of
those, heres to good appetites, good digestion,
and good health!
LENNOX LENNOX
May t please your highness sit. Why dont you have a seat, your highness?
Enter the GHOST OF BANQUO, and sits The GHOST OF BANQUO enters and sits
inMACBETHs place inMACBETHs place.
MACBETH MACBETH
Here had we now our countrys honor roofed, We would have all the nobility of Scotland
Were the graced person of our Banquo present, gathered under one roof, if only Banquo were
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness here. I hope it turns out that hes late out of
45 Than pity for mischance. rudeness, and not because something bad has
happened to him.
ROSS ROSS
His absence, sir, His absence means hes broken his promise, sir.
Lays blame upon his promise. Please t your If it pleases you, your highness, why dont you sit
highness with us and grace us with your royal company?
To grace us with your royal company?
MACBETH MACBETH
The tables full. The tables full.
LENNOX LENNOX
Here is a place reserved, sir. Heres an empty seat, sir.
MACBETH MACBETH
50 Where? Where?
LENNOX LENNOX
Here, my good lord. What is t that moves your (pointing to where the GHOST sits) Here, my
highness? good lord. Whats wrong, your highness?
MACBETH MACBETH
Which of you have done this? (seeing the GHOST) Which one of you did this?
LORDS LORDS
What, my good lord? What, my good lord?
MACBETH MACBETH
(to GHOST) Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake (to the GHOST) You cant say I did it. Dont shake
Thy gory locks at me. your bloody head at me.

ROSS ROSS
55 Gentlemen, rise. His highness is not well. Gentlemen, stand up. His highness is not well.
Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus Sit down, worthy friends. My husband is often like
And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. this, and he has been since he was a child.
The fit is momentary; upon a thought Please stay seated. This is just a brief fit. In a
He will again be well. If much you note him, moment hell be well again. If you pay too much
60 You shall offend him and extend his passion. attention to him youll make him angry, and that
Feed and regard him not. (aside to MACBETH) Are will make his convulsions go on longer. Eat your
you a man? dinner and pay no attention to him. (speaking so
that only MACBETH can hear) Are you a man?
MACBETH MACBETH
Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that Yes, and a brave one, who dares to look at
Which might appall the devil. something that would frighten the devil.
O proper stuff! Oh, thats nonsense! This is just another one of
This is the very painting of your fear. the hallucinations you always get when youre
65 This is the air-drawn dagger which you said afraid. This is like that floating dagger you said
Led you to Duncan. Oh, these flaws and starts, was leading you toward Duncan. These outbursts
Impostors to true fear, would well become of yours dont even look like real fear. Theyre
A womans story at a winters fire, more like how you would act if you were a woman
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! telling a scary story by the fireside in front of her
70 Why do you make such faces? When alls done, grandmother. Shame on you! Why are you
You look but on a stool. making these faces? When the vision passes,
youll see that youre just looking at a stool.
MACBETH MACBETH
Prithee, see there! Behold! Look! Lo! How say you? Please, just look over there. Look! Look! See! (to
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. the GHOST) What do you have to say? What do I
If charnel houses and our graves must send care? If you can nod, then speak too. If the dead
75 Those that we bury back, our monuments are going to return from their graves, then theres
Shall be the maws of kites. nothing to stop the birds from eating the bodies.
So theres no point in our burying people.
Exit GHOST The GHOST vanishes.
What, quite unmanned in folly? What, has your foolishness paralyzed you
completely?

MACBETH MACBETH
If I stand here, I saw him. As sure as Im standing here, I saw him.
Fie, for shame! Nonsense!
MACBETH MACBETH
Blood hath been shed ere now, i' th' olden time, In ancient times, before there were laws to make
Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; the land safe and peaceful, a lot of blood was
80 Ay, and since too, murders have been performed spilled. Yes, and since then murders have been
Too terrible for the ear. The time has been committed that are too awful to talk about. It used
That, when the brains were out, the man would die, to be that when you knocked a mans brains out
And there an end. But now they rise again he would just die, and that would be it. But now
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns they rise from the dead with twenty fatal head
85 And push us from our stools. This is more strange wounds and push us off our stools. This haunting
Than such a murder is. business is even stranger than murder.
My worthy lord, My worthy lord, your noble friends miss your
Your noble friends do lack you. company.
MACBETH MACBETH
I do forget. I forgot about them. (to the guests) Dont be
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends. alarmed on my account, my most worthy friends. I
90 I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing have a strange disorder, which no longer shocks
To those that know me. Come, love and health to all. those who know me well. (raising his glass to
Then Ill sit down. Give me some wine. Fill full. toast the company) Come, lets drink a toast: love
and health to you all. Now Ill sit down. Give me
some wine. Fill up my cup.
Enter the GHOST OF BANQUO The GHOST OF BANQUO reappears
inMACBETHs seat.
I drink to the general joy o' th' whole table, I drink to the happiness of everyone at the table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; and to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss. I
95 Would he were here! To all and him we thirst, wish he were here! Lets drink to everyone here,
And all to all. and to Banquo. Now, everybody, drink
LORDS LORDS
Our duties, and the pledge. Hear, hear.
They drink They drink.

MACBETH MACBETH
(seeing the GHOST) Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let (to the GHOST) Go! And get out of my sight!
the earth hide thee. Stay in your grave. Theres no marrow in your
Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold. bones, and your blood is cold. Youre staring at
100 Thou hast no speculation in those eyes me with eyes that have no power to see.
Which thou dost glare with!
Think of this, good peers, Good friends, think of this as nothing more than
But as a thing of custom. 'Tis no other; a strange habit. Its nothing else. Too bad its
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. spoiling our pleasure tonight.
MACBETH MACBETH
What man dare, I dare. I am as brave as any other man. Come at me in
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, the form of a rugged Russian bear, an armor-
105 The armed rhinoceros, or th' Hyrcan tiger; plated rhinoceros, or a tiger from Iran. Take any
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves shape other than the one you have now and I will
Shall never tremble. Or be alive again, never tremble in fear. Or come back to life again
And dare me to the desert with thy sword. and challenge me to a duel in some deserted
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me place. If I tremble then, you can call me a little
110 The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow! girl. Get out of here, you horrible ghost, you
Unreal mockery, hence! hallucination. Get out!
Exit GHOST The GHOST vanishes.
Why so, being gone, I am a man again. Pray you sit still.
Why so, being gone, Look, now that its gone, Im a man again.
I am a man again. Pray you sit still. Please, remain seated.
You have displaced the mirth, broke the good You have ruined our good cheer and disrupted
meeting, the gathering by making a spectacle of yourself.
With most admired disorder.
MACBETH MACBETH
Can such things be, (to the guests) Can things like this happen so
115 And overcome us like a summers cloud, suddenly without making us all astonished? You
Without our special wonder? You make me strange make me feel like I dont know myself, when I
Even to the disposition that I owe, see you looking at these terrible things and
When now I think you can behold such sights, keeping a straight face, while my face has gone
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, white with fear.
120 When mine is blanched with fear.
ROSS ROSS
What sights, my lord? What things, my lord?

I pray you, speak not. He grows worse and worse. Please, dont speak to him. Hes getting worse
Question enrages him. At once, good night. and worse. Talk makes him crazy. Everybody,
Stand not upon the order of your going, please leave right now. Dont bother exiting in the
But go at once. order of your rank, but just leave right away.
LENNOX LENNOX
125 Good night, and better health Good night. I hope the king recovers soon!
Attend his majesty!
A kind good night to all! A kind good night to all!
Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH Everyone leaves except MACBETH and LADY
MACBETH.
MACBETH MACBETH
It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood. Theres an old saying: the dead will have their
Stones have been known to move, and trees to revenge. Gravestones have been known to
130 speak. move, and trees to speak, to bring guilty men to
Augurs and understood relations have justice. The craftiest murderers have been
By magot pies and choughs and rooks brought forth exposed by the mystical signs made by crows
The secretst man of blood.What is the night? and magpies. How late at night is it?
Almost at odds with morning, which is which. Its almost morning. You cant tell whether its
day or night.
MACBETH MACBETH
How sayst thou that Macduff denies his person What do you think about the fact that Macduff
135 At our great bidding? refuses to come to me when I command him?
Did you send to him, sir? Did you send for him, sir?
MACBETH MACBETH
I hear it by the way; but I will send. Ive heard about this indirectly, but I will send for
Theres not a one of them but in his house him. In every one of the lords' households I have
I keep a servant feed. I will tomorrow a servant paid to spy for me. Tomorrow, while its
And betimes I willto the weird sisters. still early, I will go see the witches. They will tell
140 More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know, me more, because Im determined to know the
By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good, worst about whats going to happen. My own
All causes shall give way. I am in blood safety is the only important thing now. I have
Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, walked so far into this river of blood that even if I
Returning were as tedious as go o'er. stopped now, it would be as hard to go back to
145 Strange things I have in head, that will to hand, being good as it is to keep killing people. I have
Which must be acted ere they may be scanned. some schemes in my head that Im planning to
put into action. I have to do these things before I
have a chance to think about them.

You lack the season of all natures, sleep. You havent slept.
MACBETH MACBETH
Come, well to sleep. My strange and self-abuse Yes, lets go to sleep. My strange self-delusions
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use. just come from inexperience. Were still just
150 We are yet but young in deed. beginners when it comes to crime.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 3, Scene 5
Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES meetingHECATE Thunder. The three WITCHES enter,
meetingHECATE.
Why, how now, Hecate! You look angerly. Whats wrong, Hecate? You look angry.
HECATE HECATE
Have I not reason, beldams as you are? Dont I have a reason to be angry, you
Saucy and overbold, how did you dare disobedient hags? How dare you give Macbeth
To trade and traffic with Macbeth riddles and prophecies about his future without
5 In riddles and affairs of death, telling me? I am your boss and the source of your
And I, the mistress of your charms, powers. I am the one who secretly decides what
The close contriver of all harms, evil things happen, but you never called me to
Was never called to bear my part, join in and show off my own powers. And whats
Or show the glory of our art? worse, youve done all this for a man who
10 And, which is worse, all you have done behaves like a spoiled brat, angry and hateful.
Hath been but for a wayward son, Like all spoiled sons, he chases after what he
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, wants and doesnt care about you. But you can
Loves for his own ends, not for you. make it up to me. Go away now and in the
But make amends now. Get you gone, morning meet me in the pit by the river in hell.
15 And at the pit of Acheron Macbeth will go there to learn his destiny. You
Meet me i' th' morning. Thither he bring your cauldrons, your spells, your charms,
Will come to know his destiny. and everything else. Im about to fly away. Ill
Your vessels and your spells provide, spend tonight working to make something horrible
Your charms and everything beside. happen. I have a lot to do before noon. An
20 I am for the air. This night Ill spend important droplet is hanging from the corner of
Unto a dismal and a fatal end. the moon. Ill catch it before it falls to the ground.
Great business must be wrought ere noon. When I work it over with magic spells, the drop
Upon the corner of the moon will produce magical spirits that will trick Macbeth
There hangs a vap'rous drop profound. with illusions.
25 Ill catch it ere it come to ground.
And that distilled by magic sleights
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.

30 He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear He will be fooled into thinking he is greater than
His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear. fate, he will mock death, and he will think he is
And you all know, security above wisdom, grace, and fear. As you all know,
Is mortals' chiefest enemy. overconfidence is mans greatest enemy.
Music and a song within: 'Come away, come away,' Music plays offstage, and voices sing a song with
&c the words Come away, come away.
Hark! I am called. My little spirit, see, Listen! Im being called. Look, my little spirit is
35 Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me. sitting in a foggy cloud waiting for me.
Exit HECATE exits.
Come, lets make haste; shell soon be back again. Come on, lets hurry. Shell be back again soon.
Act 3, Scene 6
Enter LENNOX and another LORD LENNOX and another LORD enter.
LENNOX LENNOX
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, What Ive already said shows you we think alike,
Which can interpret farther. Only I say so you can draw your own conclusions. All Im
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious saying is that strange things have been going on.
Duncan Macbeth pitied Duncanafter Duncan was dead.
5 Was pitied of Macbeth. Marry, he was dead. And Banquo went out walking too late at night. If
And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late, you like, we can say that Fleance must have
Whom, you may say, if t please you, Fleance killed, killed him, because Fleance fled the scene of the
For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late. crime. Clearly, men should not go out walking too
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous late! And who can help thinking how monstrous it
10 It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain was for Malcolm and Donalbain to kill their
To kill their gracious father? Damnd fact! gracious father? Such a heinous crimehow it
How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight saddened Macbeth! Wasnt it loyal of him to kill
In pious rage the two delinquents tear those two servants right away, while they were
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? still drunk and asleep? That was the right thing to
15 Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too, do, wasnt it? Yes, and it was the wise thing, too,
For twould have angered any heart alive because we all would have been outraged to hear
To hear the men deny t. So that, I say, those two deny their crime. Considering all this, I
He has borne all things well. And I do think think Macbeth has handled things well. If he had
That had he Duncans sons under his key Duncans sons in prisonwhich I hope wont
20 As, ant please heaven, he shall notthey should happenthey would find out how awful the
find punishment is for those who kill their fathers, and
What twere to kill a father. So should Fleance. so would Fleance. But enough of that. I hear that
But, peace! For from broad words, and 'cause he Macduff is out of favor with the king because he
failed speaks his mind too plainly, and because he

His presence at the tyrants feast, I hear failed to show up at Macbeths feast. Can you tell
Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell me where hes hiding himself?
Where he bestows himself?
LORD LORD
The son of Duncan Duncans son Malcolm, whose birthright and
25 From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth throne Macbeth has stolen, lives in the English
Lives in the English court and is received court. There, the saintly King Edward treats
Of the most pious Edward with such grace Malcolm so well that despite Malcolms
That the malevolence of fortune nothing misfortunes, hes not deprived of respect.
Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff Macduff went there to ask King Edward for help.
30 Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid He wants Edward to help him form an alliance
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward, with the people of Northumberland and their lord,
That by the help of thesewith Him above Siward. Macduff hopes that with their helpand
To ratify the workwe may again with the help of God abovehe may once again
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, put food on our tables, bring peace back to our
35 Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, nights, free our feasts and banquets from violent
Do faithful homage and receive free honors. murders, allow us to pay proper homage to our
All which we pine for now. And this report king, and receive honors freely. Those are the
Hath so exasperated the king that he things we pine for now. Macbeth has heard this
Prepares for some attempt of war. news and he is so angry that hes preparing for
war.

LENNOX LENNOX
40 Sent he to Macduff? Did he tell Macduff to return to Scotland?
LORD LORD
He did, and with an absolute Sir, not I, He did, but Macduff told the messenger, No
The cloudy messenger turns me his back, way. The messenger scowled and rudely turned
And hums, as who should say Youll rue the time his back on Macduff, as if to say, Youll regret
That clogs me with this answer. the day you gave me this answer.
LENNOX LENNOX
And that well might That might well keep Macduff away from
45 Advise him to a caution, t' hold what distance Scotland. Some holy angel should go to the court
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel of England and give Macduff a message. He
Fly to the court of England and unfold should return quickly to free our country, which is
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing suffering under a tyrant!
May soon return to this our suffering country
50 Under a hand accursed!
LORD LORD
Ill send my prayers with him. Ill send my prayers with him.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 4, Scene 1
A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder. A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron.
Enter the three WITCHES. Thunder. The three WITCHES enter.
Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed. The tawny cat has meowed three times.
Thrice, and once the hedge-pig whined. Three times. And the hedgehog has whined once.
Harpier cries, 'Tis time, tis time. My spirit friend, Harpier, is yelling, Its time, its
time!
Round about the cauldron go, Dance around the cauldron and throw in the
5 In the poisoned entrails throw. poisoned entrails. (holding up a toad) Youll go in
Toad, that under cold stone firsta toad that sat under a cold rock for a
Days and nights has thirty-one month, oozing poison from its pores.
Sweltered venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i' th' charmd pot.
ALL ALL
10 Double, double toil and trouble, Double, double toil and trouble,
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake, (holding something up) Well boil you in the
In the cauldron boil and bake. cauldron nexta slice of swamp snake. All the
Eye of newt and toe of frog, rest of you in too: a newts eye, a frogs tongue,
15 Wool of bat and tongue of dog, fur from a bat, a dogs tongue, the forked tongue
Adders fork and blind-worms sting, of an adder, the stinger of a burrowing worm, a
Lizards leg and owlets wing, lizards leg, an owls wing. (speaking to the
For a charm of powerful trouble, ingredients) Make a charm to cause powerful
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. trouble, and boil and bubble like a broth of hell.
ALL ALL
Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Here come some more ingredients: the scale of a
Witches' mummy, maw and gulf dragon, a wolfs tooth, a witchs mummified flesh,
Of the ravined salt-sea shark, the gullet and stomach of a ravenous shark, a
25 Root of hemlock digged i' th' dark, root of hemlock that was dug up in the dark, a
Liver of blaspheming Jew, Jews liver, a goats bile, some twigs of yew that
Gall of goat and slips of yew were broken off during a lunar eclipse, a Turks
Slivered in the moons eclipse, nose, a Tartars lips, the finger of a baby that was
Nose of Turk and Tartars lips, strangled as a prostitute gave birth to it in a
30 Finger of birth-strangled babe ditch. (to the ingredients) Make this potion thick
Ditch-delivered by a drab, and gluey. (to the other WITCHES) Now lets add
Make the gruel thick and slab. a tigers entrails to the mix.
Add thereto a tigers chaudron,
For the ingredients of our cauldron.
ALL ALL
Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboons blood, Well cool the mixture with baboon blood. After
Then the charm is firm and good. that the charm is finished.
Enter HECATE and the other three WITCHES HECATE enters with three other WITCHES.
HECATE HECATE
Oh well done! I commend your pains, Well done! I admire your efforts, and all of you will
40 And every one shall share i' th' gains. share the rewards. Now come sing around the
And now about the cauldron sing, cauldron like a ring of elves and fairies,
Like elves and fairies in a ring, enchanting everything you put in.
Enchanting all that you put in.

Music and a song: Black spirits, &c. HECATEretires Music plays and the six WITCHES sing a song
called Black Spirits. HECATE leaves.
By the pricking of my thumbs, I can tell that something wicked is coming by the
45 Something wicked this way comes. tingling in my thumbs. Doors, open up for
Open, locks, whoever is knocking!
Whoever knocks.

MACBETH MACBETH
How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags? Whats going on here, you secret, evil, midnight
What is t you do? hags? What are you doing?
ALL ALL
A deed without a name. Something there isnt a word for.
MACBETH MACBETH
50 I conjure you by that which you profess I dont know how you know the things you do, but
Howe'er you come to know itanswer me. I insist that you answer my questions. I command
Though you untie the winds and let them fight you in the name of whatever dark powers you
Against the churches, though the yeasty waves serve. I dont care if you unleash violent winds
Confound and swallow navigation up, that tear down churches, make the foamy waves
55 Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown overwhelm ships and send sailors to their deaths,
down, flatten crops and trees, make castles fall down on
Though castles topple on their warders' heads, their inhabitants' heads, make palaces and
Though palaces and pyramids do slope pyramids collapse, and mix up everything in
Their heads to their foundations, though the treasure nature. Tell me what I want to know.
60 Of natures germens tumble all together,
Even till destruction sicken, answer me
To what I ask you.
Speak. Speak.
Demand. Demand.
Well answer. Well answer.
Say, if th' hadst rather hear it from our mouths, Would you rather hear these things from our
Or from our masters'. mouths or from our masters?
MACBETH MACBETH
Call 'em. Let me see 'em. Call them. Let me see them.
65 Pour in sows blood, that hath eaten Pour in the blood of a sow who has eaten her
Her nine farrow; grease thats sweaten nine offspring. Take the sweat of a murderer on
From the murderers gibbet throw the gallows and throw it into the flame.
Into the flame.

ALL ALL
Come, high or low; Come, high or low spirits. Show yourself and
70 Thyself and office deftly show! what you do.

Thunder. FIRST APPARITION : an armed head Thunder. The FIRST APPARITION appears,
looking like a head with an armored helmet.
MACBETH MACBETH
Tell me, thou unknown power Tell me, you unknown power
He knows thy thought. He can read your thoughts. Listen, but dont
Hear his speech but say thou nought. speak.
FIRST APPARITION FIRST APPARITION
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff. Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff.
Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough. Beware the thane of Fife. Let me go. Enough.
Descends The FIRST APPARITION descends.
MACBETH MACBETH
75 Whate'er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks. Whatever you are, thanks for your advice. You
Thou hast harped my fear aright. But one word have guessed exactly what I feared. But one
more word more
He will not be commanded. Heres another He will not be commanded by you. Heres
More potent than the first. another, stronger than the first.
Thunder. SECOND APPARITION : a bloody child Thunder. The SECOND APPARITION appears,
looking like a bloody child.
SECOND APPARITION SECOND APPARITION
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!
MACBETH MACBETH
80 Had I three ears, Id hear thee. If I had three ears Id listen with all three.
SECOND APPARITION SECOND APPARITION
Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn Be violent, bold, and firm. Laugh at the power of
The power of man, for none of woman born other men, because nobody born from a woman
Shall harm Macbeth. will ever harm Macbeth.
Descends The SECOND APPARITION descends.

MACBETH MACBETH
85 Then live, Macduff. What need I fear of thee? Then I dont need to kill Macduff. I have no
But yet Ill make assurance double sure, reason to fear him. But even so, Ill make doubly
And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live, sure. Ill guarantee my own fate by having you
That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, killed, Macduff. That way I can conquer my own
And sleep in spite of thunder. fear and sleep easy at night.
Thunder. THIRD APPARITION : a child crowned, Thunder. The THIRD APPARITION appears, in
with a tree in his hand the form of a child with a crown on his head and
a tree in his hand.
90 What is this What is this spirit that looks like the son of a king
That rises like the issue of a king, and wears a crown on his young head?
And wears upon his baby-brow the round
And top of sovereignty?
ALL ALL
Listen but speak not to t. Listen but dont speak to it.
THIRD APPARITION THIRD APPARITION
Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care Be brave like the lion and proud. Dont even
95 Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are. worry about who hates you, who resents you,
Macbeth shall never vanquished be until and who conspires against you. Macbeth will
Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill never be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to
Shall come against him. fight you at Dunsinane Hill.
Descends The THIRD APPARITION descends.
MACBETH MACBETH
That will never be. That will never happen. Who can command the
Who can impress the forest, bid the tree forest and make the trees pull their roots out of
100 Unfix his earthbound root? Sweet bodements! Good! the earth? These were sweet omens! Good! My
Rebellious dead, rise never till the wood murders will never come back to threaten me
Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth until the forest of Birnam gets up and moves, and
Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath I will be king for my entire natural life. But my
To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart heart is still throbbing to know one thing. Tell me,
105 Throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your art if your dark powers can see this far: will
Can tell so much: shall Banquos issue ever Banquos sons ever reign in this kingdom?
Reign in this kingdom?

ALL ALL
Seek to know no more. Dont try to find out more.
MACBETH MACBETH
I will be satisfied. Deny me this, I demand to be satisfied. If you refuse, let an
110 And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know. eternal curse fall on you. Let me know. Why is
Why sinks that cauldron? And what noise is this? that cauldron sinking? And what is that music?
Hautboys Hautboys play music for a ceremonial
procession.
Show. Show.
Show. Show.
Show. Show.
ALL ALL
115 Show his eyes and grieve his heart. Show him and make him grieve. Come like
Come like shadows; so depart! shadows and depart in the same way!
A show of eight kings, the last with a glass in his Eight kings march across the stage, the last one
hand, followed by BANQUO with a mirror in his hand, followed by the GHOST
OF BANQUO.
MACBETH MACBETH
Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo. Down! You look too much like the ghost of Banquo. Go
Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And thy hair, away! (to the first) Your crown hurts
Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first. my eyes. (to the second) Your blond hair, which
120 A third is like the former.Filthy hags! looks like another crown underneath the one
Why do you show me this? A fourth? Start, eyes! youre wearing, looks just like the first kings hair.
What, will the line stretch out to th' crack of doom? Now I see a third king who looks just like the
Another yet? A seventh? Ill see no more. second. Filthy hags! Why are you showing me
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass this? A fourth! My eyes are bulging out of their
125 Which shows me many more, and some I see sockets! Will this line stretch on forever? Another
That twofold balls and treble scepters carry. one! And a seventh! I dont want to see any
Horrible sight! Now I see tis true; more. And yet an eighth appears, holding a
For the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me mirror in which I see many more men. And some
And points at them for his. are carrying double balls and triple scepters,
meaning theyre kings of more than one country!
Horrible sight! Now I see it is true, they are

Banquos descendants. Banquo, with his blood-
clotted hair, is smiling at me and pointing to them
as his.

Apparitions vanish The spirits of the kings and the GHOST OF
BANQUO vanish.
What, is this so? What? Is this true?
130 Ay, sir, all this is so. But why Yes, this is true, but why do you stand there so
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly? dumbfounded? Come, sisters, lets cheer him up
Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites, and show him our talents. I will charm the air to
And show the best of our delights. produce music while you all dance around like
Ill charm th' air to give a sound, crazy, so this king will say we did our duty and
135 While you perform your antic round. entertained him.
That this great king may kindly say,
Our duties did his welcome pay.
Music. The WITCHES dance and then vanish Music plays. The WITCHES dance and then
vanish.
MACBETH MACBETH
Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hour Where are they? Gone? Let this evil hour be
Stand aye accursd in the calendar! marked forever in the calendar as cursed. (calls
140 Come in, without there. to someone offstage) You outside, come in!
Enter LENNOX LENNOX enters.
LENNOX LENNOX
Whats your graces will? What does your grace want?
MACBETH MACBETH
Saw you the weird sisters? Did you see the weird sisters?
LENNOX LENNOX
No, my lord. No, my lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
Came they not by you? Didnt they pass by you?
LENNOX LENNOX
No, indeed, my lord. No, indeed, my lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
Infected be the air whereon they ride, The air on which they ride is infected. Damn all
And damned all those that trust them! I did hear those who trust them! I heard the galloping of
145 The galloping of horse. Who was t came by? horses. Who was it that came here?

LENNOX LENNOX
'Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word Two or three men, my lord, who brought the
Macduff is fled to England. message that Macduff has fled to England.
MACBETH MACBETH
Fled to England? Fled to England?
LENNOX LENNOX
Ay, my good lord. Yes, my good lord.
MACBETH MACBETH
150 Time, thou anticipatst my dread exploits. Time, you thwart my dreadful plans. Unless a
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook person does something the second he thinks of
Unless the deed go with it. From this moment it, hell never get a chance to do it. From now on,
The very firstlings of my heart shall be as soon as I decide to do something Im going to
The firstlings of my hand. And even now, act immediately. In fact, Ill start following up my
155 To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and thoughts with actions right now. Ill raid Macduffs
done: castle, seize the town of Fife, and kill his wife, his
The castle of Macduff I will surprise, children, and anyone else unfortunate enough to
Seize upon Fife, give to th' edge o' th' sword stand in line for his inheritance. No more foolish
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls talk. I will do this deed before I lose my sense of
160 That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool. purpose. But no more spooky visions!Where
This deed Ill do before this purpose cool. are the messengers? Come, bring me to them.
But no more sights!Where are these gentlemen?
Come, bring me where they are.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 4, Scene 2
Enter LADY MACDUFF, her SON, and ROSS LADY MACDUFF, her SON, and ROSS enter.
LADY MACDUFF LADY MACDUFF
What had he done to make him fly the land? What did he do that made him flee this land?
ROSS ROSS
You must have patience, madam. You have to be patient, madam.
He had none. He had no patience. He was crazy to run away.
His flight was madness. When our actions do not, Even if youre not a traitor, youre going to look
Our fears do make us traitors. like one if you run away.
ROSS ROSS
You know not You dont know whether it was wisdom or fear
5 Whether it was his wisdom or his fear. that made him flee.
Wisdom! To leave his wife, to leave his babes, How could it be wisdom! To leave his wife, his
His mansion and his titles in a place children, his house, and his titles in a place so
From whence himself does fly? He loves us not; unsafe that he himself flees it! He doesnt love us.
He wants the natural touch. For the poor wren, He lacks the natural instinct to protect his family.
10 The most diminutive of birds, will fight, Even the fragile wren, the smallest of birds, will
Her young ones in her nest, against the owl. fight against the owl when it threatens her young
All is the fear and nothing is the love, ones in the nest. His running away has everything
As little is the wisdom, where the flight to do with fear and nothing to do with love. And
So runs against all reason. since its so unreasonable for him to run away, it
has nothing to do with wisdom either.
ROSS ROSS
My dearest coz, My dearest relative, Im begging you, pull yourself
15 I pray you school yourself. But for your husband, together. As for your husband, he is noble, wise,
He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows and judicious, and he understands what the times
The fits o' th' season. I dare not speak much further; require. Its not safe for me to say much more
But cruel are the times when we are traitors than this, but times are bad when people get
And do not know ourselves; when we hold rumor denounced as traitors and dont even know why.
20 From what we fear, yet know not what we fear, In times like these, we believe frightening rumors
But float upon a wild and violent sea but we dont even know what were afraid of. Its
Each way and none. I take my leave of you. like being tossed around on the ocean in every
Shall not be long but Ill be here again. direction, and finally getting nowhere. Ill say
Things at the worst will cease, or else climb upward good-bye now. It wont be long before Im back.
25 To what they were before.My pretty cousin, When things are at their worst they have to stop,
Blessing upon you. or else improve to the way things were before. My
young cousin, I put my blessing upon you.

Fathered he is, and yet hes fatherless. He has a father, and yet he is fatherless.
ROSS ROSS
I am so much a fool, should I stay longer I have to go. If I stay longer, Ill embarrass you
It would be my disgrace and your discomfort. and disgrace myself by crying. Im leaving now.
30 I take my leave at once.
Exit ROSS exits.
Sirrah, your fathers dead. Young man, your fathers dead. What are you
And what will you do now? How will you live? going to do now? How are you going to live?
SON SON
As birds do, Mother. I will live the way birds do, Mother.
What, with worms and flies? What? Are you going to start eating worms and
flies?
SON SON
With what I get, I mean, and so do they. I mean I will live on whatever I get, like birds do.
35 Poor bird! Thou dst never fear the net nor lime, Youd be a pitiful bird. You wouldnt know enough
The pitfall nor the gin. to be afraid of traps.
SON SON
Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set for. Why should I be afraid of them, Mother? If Im a
My father is not dead, for all your saying. pitiful bird, like you say, hunters wont want me.
No matter what you say, my father is not dead.
Yes, he is dead. How wilt thou do for a father? Yes, he is dead. What are you going to do for a
father?
SON SON
40 Nay, how will you do for a husband? Maybe you should ask, what will you do for a
husband?
Why, I can buy me twenty at any market. Oh, I can buy twenty husbands at any market.

SON SON
Then youll buy 'em to sell again. If so, youd be buying them to sell again.
Thou speakst with all thy wit; and yet, i' faith, You talk like a child, but youre very smart
With wit enough for thee. anyway.
SON SON
45 Was my father a traitor, Mother? Was my father a traitor, Mother?
Ay, that he was. Yes, he was.
SON SON
What is a traitor? What is a traitor?
Why, one that swears and lies. Someone who makes a promise and breaks it.
SON SON
And be all traitors that do so? And is everyone who swears and lies a traitor?
50 Every one that does so is a traitor and must be Everyone who does so is a traitor and should be
hanged. hanged.
SON SON
And must they all be hanged that swear and lie? And should everyone who makes promises and
breaks them be hanged?
Every one. Everyone.
SON SON
Who must hang them? Who should hang them?
Why, the honest men. The honest men.
SON SON
55 Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are Then the liars are fools, for there are enough liars
liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men in the world to beat up the honest men and hang
and hang up them. them.
Now, God help thee, poor monkey! But how wilt thou (laughing) Heaven help you for saying that,
do for a father? boy!(sad again) But what will you do without a
father?
SON SON
If he were dead, youd weep for him. If you would not, If he were dead, youd be weeping for him. If you
it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new arent weeping, its a good sign that Ill soon have
father. a new father.
Poor prattler, how thou talkst! Silly babbler, how you talk!

Enter a MESSENGER A MESSENGER enters.
MESSENGER MESSENGER
Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known, Bless you, fair lady! You dont know me, but I
60 Though in your state of honor I am perfect. know youre an important person. Im afraid
I doubt some danger does approach you nearly. something dangerous is coming toward you. If
If you will take a homely mans advice, youll take a simple mans advice, dont be here
Be not found here. Hence with your little ones. when it arrives. Go away and take your children. I
To fright you thus methinks I am too savage; feel bad for scaring you like this, but it would be
65 To do worse to you were fell cruelty, much worse for me to let you come to harm. And
Which is too nigh your person. Heaven preserve you! harm is getting close! Heaven keep you safe!
I dare abide no longer.
Exit The MESSENGER exits.
Whither should I fly? Where should I go? I havent done anything
I have done no harm. But I remember now wrong. But I have to remember that Im here on
70 I am in this earthly world, where to do harm Earth, where doing evil is often praised, and
Is often laudable, to do good sometime doing good is sometimes a stupid and dangerous
Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas, mistake. So then why should I offer this
Do I put up that womanly defense, womanish defense that Im innocent?
To say I have done no harm?
Enter MURDERERS The MURDERERS enter.

What are these faces? Who are these men?
75 Where is your husband? Where is your husband?
I hope, in no place so unsanctified I hope hes not anywhere so disreputable that
Where such as thou mayst find him. thugs like you can find him.
Hes a traitor. Hes a traitor.
SON SON
Thou liest, thou shag-haired villain! Youre lying, you shaggy-haired villain!

(Stabbing him) What, you egg? Whats that, you runt? (stabbing him) Young son
Young fry of treachery! of a traitor!
SON SON
80 He has killed me, mother. He has killed me, Mother. Run away, I beg you!
Run away, I pray you!
He dies. Exit LADY MACDUFF, crying Murder! The SON dies. LADY MACDUFF exits, crying
followed by MURDERERS Murder! The MURDERERS exit, following her.
Act 4, Scene 3
Enter MALCOLM and MACDUFF MALCOLM and MACDUFF enter.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Let us seek out some desolate shade and there Lets seek out some shady place where we can
Weep our sad bosoms empty. sit down alone and cry our hearts out.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Let us rather Instead of crying, lets keep hold of our swords
Hold fast the mortal sword and, like good men, and defend our fallen homeland like honorable
Bestride our downfall'n birthdom. Each new morn men. Each day new widows howl, new orphans
5 New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows cry, and new sorrows slap heaven in the face,
Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds until it sounds like heaven itself feels Scotlands
As if it felt with Scotland and yelled out anguish and screams in pain.
Like syllable of dolor.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
What I believe Ill wail; I will avenge whatever I believe is wrong. And Ill
What know believe, and what I can redress, believe whatever Im sure is true. And Ill put right
10 As I shall find the time to friend, I will. whatever I can when the time comes. What you
What you have spoke, it may be so perchance. just said may perhaps be true. This tyrant, whose
This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, mere name is so awful it hurts us to say it, was
Was once thought honest. You have loved him well. once considered an honest man. You were one of
He hath not touched you yet. I am young, but his favorites. He hasnt done anything to harm
15 something you yet. Im inexperienced, but maybe youre
You may deserve of him through me, and wisdom planning to win Macbeths favor by betraying me
To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb to him. It would be smart to offer someone poor
T' appease an angry god. and innocent like me as a sacrificial lamb to
satisfy an angry god like Macbeth.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
I am not treacherous. I am not treacherous.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
But Macbeth is. But Macbeth is. Even someone with a good and
20 A good and virtuous nature may recoil virtuous nature might give way to a royal
In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon. command. But I beg your pardon. My fears cant
That which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose. actually make you evil. Angels are still bright even
Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. though Lucifer, the brightest angel, fell from
Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, heaven. Even though everything evil wants to
25 Yet grace must still look so. look good, good still has to look good too.

MACDUFF MACDUFF
I have lost my hopes. I have lost my hope of convincing you to fight
against Macbeth.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Perchance even there where I did find my doubts. Maybe you lost your hopes about me where I
Why in that rawness left you wife and child, found my doubts about you. Why did you leave
Those precious motives, those strong knots of love, your wife and child vulnerablethe most precious
Without leave-taking? I pray you, things in your life, those strong bonds of love?
30 Let not my jealousies be your dishonors, How could you leave them behind? But I beg you,
But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just, dont interpret my suspicions as slander against
Whatever I shall think. you. You must understand that I want to protect
myself. You may really be honest, no matter what
I think.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Bleed, bleed, poor country! Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyrant, go
Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, ahead and build yourself up, because good
For goodness dare not check thee. Wear thou thy people are afraid to stand up to you. Enjoy
35 wrongs; everything you stole, because your title is safe!
The title is affeered.Fare thee well, lord. Farewell, lord. I wouldnt be the villain you think I
I would not be the villain that thou thinkst am even if I were offered all of Macbeths
For the whole space thats in the tyrants grasp, kingdom and the riches of the East too.
And the rich East to boot.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Be not offended. Dont be offended. I dont completely distrust you.
I speak not as in absolute fear of you. I do think Scotland is sinking under Macbeths
40 I think our country sinks beneath the yoke. oppression. Our country weeps, it bleeds, and
It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash each day a fresh cut is added to her wounds. I
Is added to her wounds. I think withal also think there would be many people willing to
There would be hands uplifted in my right; fight for me. The English have promised me
And here from gracious England have I offer thousands of troops. But even so, when I have
45 Of goodly thousands. But, for all this, Macbeths head under my foot, or stuck on the
When I shall tread upon the tyrants head, end of my sword, then my poor country will be
Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country plagued by worse evil than it was before. It will
Shall have more vices than it had before, suffer worse and in more ways than ever under
More suffer, and more sundry ways than ever, the reign of the king who follows Macbeth.
50 By him that shall succeed.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
What should he be? Who are you talking about?

MALCOLM MALCOLM
It is myself I mean, in whom I know Im talking about myself. I know I have so many
All the particulars of vice so grafted vices that when people see all of them exposed,
That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth evil Macbeth will seem as pure as snow in
Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state comparison, and poor Scotland will call him a
55 Esteem him as a lamb, being compared sweet lamb when they compare him to me and
With my confineless harms. my infinite evils.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Not in the legions Even in hell you couldnt find a devil worse than
Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned Macbeth.
In evils to top Macbeth.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
I grant him bloody, I admit that hes murderous, lecherous, greedy,
Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, lying, deceitful, violent, malicious, and guilty of
60 Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin every sin that has a name. But there is no end,
That has a name. But theres no bottom, none, absolutely none, to my sexual desires. Your
In my voluptuousness. Your wives, your daughters, wives, your daughters, your old women, and your
Your matrons, and your maids could not fill up young maids together could not satisfy my lust.
The cistern of my lust, and my desire My desire would overpower all restraints and
65 All continent impediments would o'erbear anyone who stood in my way. It would be better
That did oppose my will. Better Macbeth for Macbeth to rule than someone like me.
Than such an one to reign.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Boundless intemperance Endless greed and lust in a mans nature is a kind
In nature is a tyranny. It hath been of tyranny. It has caused the downfall of many
The untimely emptying of the happy throne kings. But dont be afraid to take the crown that
70 And fall of many kings. But fear not yet belongs to you. You can find a way to satisfy your
To take upon you what is yours. You may desires in secret, while still appearing virtuous.
Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty You can deceive everyone. There are more than
And yet seem cold; the time you may so hoodwink. enough willing women around. Your lust cant
We have willing dames enough. There cannot be possibly be so strong that youd use up all the
75 That vulture in you to devour so many women willing to give themselves to the king
As will to greatness dedicate themselves, once they find out he wants them.
Finding it so inclined.

MALCOLM MALCOLM
With this there grows Along with being full of lust, Im also incredibly
In my most ill-composed affection such greedy. If I became king, I would steal the
80 A stanchless avarice that, were I king, nobles' lands, taking jewels from one guy and
I should cut off the nobles for their lands, houses from another. The more I had, the
Desire his jewels and this others house. greedier I would grow, until Id invent false
And my more-having would be as a sauce quarrels with my good and loyal subjects,
To make me hunger more, that I should forge destroying them so I could get my hands on their
85 Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, wealth.
Destroying them for wealth.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
This avarice The greed youre talking about is worse than lust
Sticks deeper, grows with more pernicious root because you wont outgrow it. Greed has been
Than summer-seeming lust, and it hath been the downfall of many kings. But dont be afraid.
The sword of our slain kings. Yet do not fear; Scotland has enough treasures to satisfy you out
90 Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will, of your own royal coffers. These bad qualities
Of your mere own. All these are portable, are bearable when balanced against your good
With other graces weighed. sides.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
But I have none. The king-becoming graces, But I dont have any good sides. I dont have a
As justice, verity, temperance, stableness, trace of the qualities a king needs, such as
95 Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, justice, truth, moderation, stability, generosity,
Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, perseverance, mercy, humility, devotion,
I have no relish of them but abound patience, courage, and bravery. Instead, I
In the division of each several crime, overflow with every variation of all the different
Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should vices. No, if I had power I would take world
100 Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, peace and throw it down to hell.
Uproar the universal peace, confound
All unity on earth.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
O Scotland, Scotland! Oh Scotland, Scotland!
MALCOLM MALCOLM
If such a one be fit to govern, speak. If someone like me is fit to be king, let me know. I
I am as I have spoken. really am exactly as I have described myself to
you.

MACDUFF MACDUFF
Fit to govern? (to MALCOLM) Fit to be king? Youre not fit to
105 No, not to live.O nation miserable, live!Oh miserable nation, ruled by a usurping,
With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered, murderous tyrant, when will you see peaceful
When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again, days again? The man who has a legal right to the
Since that the truest issue of thy throne throne is, by his own admission, a cursed man
By his own interdiction stands accursed, and a disgrace to the royal family.Your royal
110 And does blaspheme his breed?Thy royal father father Duncan was a virtuous king. Your mother
Was a most sainted king. The queen that bore thee, spent more time on her knees in prayer than she
Oftener upon her knees than on her feet, did standing up, and she lived a life of absolute
Died every day she lived. Fare thee well! piety. Good-bye. The evils you have described
These evils thou repeatst upon thyself inside yourself have driven me out of Scotland
115 Have banished me from Scotland.O my breast, forever. Oh my heart, your hope is dead!
Thy hope ends here!
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Macduff, this noble passion, Macduff, this passionate outburst, which proves
Child of integrity, hath from my soul your integrity, has removed my doubts about you
Wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts and made me realize that you really are
To thy good truth and honor. Devilish Macbeth trustworthy and honorable. That devil Macbeth
120 By many of these trains hath sought to win me has tried many times to trick me and lure me into
Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me his power, and prudence prevents me from
From overcredulous haste. But God above believing people too quickly. But with God as my
Deal between thee and me, for even now witness, I will let myself be guided by you, and I
I put myself to thy direction and take back my confession. I take back all the bad
125 Unspeak mine own detraction, here abjure things I said about myself, because none of
The taints and blames I laid upon myself, those flaws are really part of my character. Im
For strangers to my nature. I am yet still a virgin. I have never told a lie. I barely care
Unknown to woman, never was forsworn, about what I already own, let alone feel jealous
Scarcely have coveted what was mine own, of anothers possessions. I have never broken a
130 At no time broke my faith, would not betray promise. I wouldnt betray the devil himself. I love
The devil to his fellow, and delight truth as much as I love life. The lies I told about
No less in truth than life. My first false speaking my character are actually the first false words I
Was this upon myself. What I am truly, have ever spoken. The person who I really am is
Is thine and my poor countrys to command. ready to serve you and our poor country.

135 Whither indeed, before thy here-approach, Indeed, before you arrived here, old Siward, with
Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men, ten thousand soldiers already prepared for battle,
Already at a point, was setting forth. was making his way here. Now we will fight
Now well together, and the chance of goodness Macbeth together, and may the chances of our
Be like our warranted quarrel! Why are you silent? success be as great as the justice of our cause!
Why are you silent?
MACDUFF MACDUFF
140 Such welcome and unwelcome things at once Its hard to make sense of such different stories.
'Tis hard to reconcile.
Enter a DOCTOR A DOCTOR enters.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Well, more anon.Comes the king forth, I pray you? Well, well speak more soon. (to the DOCTOR)Is
King Edward coming out?
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Ay, sir; there are a crew of wretched souls Yes, sir. A crowd of sick people is waiting for him
That stay his cure. Their malady convinces to heal them. Their illness confounds the most
145 The great assay of art, but at his touch advanced techniques of modern medicine, but
Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand when he touches them, they heal immediately
They presently amend. because of the power granted to him by heaven.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
I thank you, doctor. Thank you, doctor.
Exit DOCTOR The DOCTOR exits.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Whats the disease he means? What disease is he talking about?
MALCOLM MALCOLM
'Tis called the evil. Its called the evil. Edwards healing touch is a
A most miraculous work in this good king, miracle that I have seen him perform many times
150 Which often since my here-remain in England during my stay in England. How he receives
I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven, these gifts from heaven, only he can say. But he
Himself best knows, but strangely visited people, cures people with strange conditionsall
All swoll'n and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, swollen, plagued by ulcers, and pitiful to look at,
The mere despair of surgery, he cures, patients who are beyond the help of surgeryby
155 Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, placing a gold coin around their necks and
Put on with holy prayers. And, tis spoken, saying holy prayers over them.

To the succeeding royalty he leaves They say that he bequeaths this ability to heal to
The healing benediction. With this strange virtue, his royal descendants. Along with this strange
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy, power, he also has the gift of prophecy and
160 And sundry blessings hang about his throne, various other abilities. All of these signs mark
That speak him full of grace. him as a man graced by God.
Enter ROSS ROSS enters.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
See, who comes here? Whos that coming over here?
MALCOLM MALCOLM
My countryman, but yet I know him not. By his dress I can tell hes my countryman, but I
dont recognize him.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither. My noble kinsman, welcome.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
I know him now.Good God, betimes remove I recognize him now. May God alter the
165 The means that makes us strangers! circumstances that keep us apart!
ROSS ROSS
Sir, amen. Hello, sir.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Stands Scotland where it did? Is Scotland the same as when I left it?
ROSS ROSS
Alas, poor country! Alas, our poor country! Its too frightened to look
Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot at itself. Scotland is no longer the land where we
Be called our mother, but our grave, where nothing, were born; its the land where well die. Where no
But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; one ever smiles except for the fool who knows
170 Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the nothing. Where sighs, groans, and shrieks rip
air through the air but no one notices. Where violent
Are made, not marked; where violent sorrow seems sorrow is a common emotion. When the funeral
A modern ecstasy. The dead mans knell bells ring, people no longer ask who died. Good
Is there scarce asked for who, and good mens lives men die before the flowers in their caps wilt.
175 Expire before the flowers in their caps, They die before they even fall sick.
Dying or ere they sicken.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Oh, relation Oh, your report is too poetic, but it sounds so
Too nice and yet too true! true!

MALCOLM MALCOLM
Whats the newest grief? What is the most recent news?
ROSS ROSS
That of an hours age doth hiss the speaker. Even news an hour old is old news. Every minute
Each minute teems a new one. another awful thing happens.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
How does my wife? How is my wife?
ROSS ROSS
Why, well. Shes well.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
And all my children? And all my children?
ROSS ROSS
Well too. Theyre well too.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
180 The tyrant has not battered at their peace? Macbeth hasnt attacked them?
ROSS ROSS
No, they were well at peace when I did leave 'em. They were at peace when I left them.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Be not a niggard of your speech. How goes t? Dont be stingy with your words. Whats the
news?
ROSS ROSS
When I came hither to transport the tidings, While I was coming here to tell you my sad
Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumor news, I heard rumors that many good men are
185 Of many worthy fellows that were out; arming themselves to rebel against Macbeth.
Which was to my belief witnessed the rather When I saw Macbeths army on the move, I knew
For that I saw the tyrants power afoot. the rumors must be true. Now is the time when
Now is the time of help. Your eye in Scotland we need your help. Your presence in Scotland
Would create soldiers, make our women fight, would inspire people to fight. Even the women
190 To doff their dire distresses. would fight to rid themselves of Macbeths
oppression.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Be t their comfort Let them be comfortedIm returning to
We are coming thither. Gracious England hath Scotland. Gracious King Edward has sent us
Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men; noble Siward and ten thousand soldiers. There is
An older and a better soldier none no soldier more experienced or successful than
That Christendom gives out. Siward in the entire Christian world.

ROSS ROSS
Would I could answer I wish I could repay this happy news with good
195 This comfort with the like. But I have words news of my own. But I have some news that
That would be howled out in the desert air, should be howled in a barren desert where
Where hearing should not latch them. nobody can hear it.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
What concern they? What is this news about? Does it affect all of us?
The general cause, or is it a fee-grief Or just one of us?
Due to some single breast?
ROSS ROSS
No mind thats honest No decent man can keep from sharing in the
200 But in it shares some woe, though the main part sorrow, but my news affects you alone.
Pertains to you alone.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
If it be mine, If its for me, dont keep it from me. Let me have
Keep it not from me. Quickly let me have it. it now.
ROSS ROSS
Let not your ears despise my tongue forever, I hope you wont hate me forever after I say
205 Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound these things, because I will soon fill your ears
That ever yet they heard. with the most dreadful news you have ever
heard.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Hum! I guess at it. I think I can guess what youre about to say.
ROSS ROSS
Your castle is surprised, your wife and babes Your castle was attacked. Your wife and children
Savagely slaughtered. To relate the manner, were savagely slaughtered. If I told you how they
Were, on the quarry of these murdered deer were killed, it would cause you so much pain that
210 To add the death of you. it would kill you too, and add your body to the pile
of murdered corpses.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Merciful heaven! Merciful heaven! (to MACDUFF) Come on, man,
What, man! Ne'er pull your hat upon your brows. dont keep your grief hidden. Put your sorrow into
Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak words. The grief you keep inside you will whisper
Whispers the o'erfraught heart and bids it break. in your heart until it breaks.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
My children too? They killed my children too?
ROSS ROSS
215 Wife, children, servants, all that could be found. They killed your wife, your children, your
servants, anyone they could find.

MACDUFF MACDUFF
And I must be from thence! And I had to be away! My wife was killed too?
My wife killed too?
ROSS ROSS
I have said. I said she was.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Be comforted. Take comfort. Lets cure this awful grief by taking
220 Lets make us med'cines of our great revenge, revenge on Macbeth.
To cure this deadly grief.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
He has no children. All my pretty ones? He doesnt have children. All my pretty little
Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? children? Did you say all? Oh, that bird from hell!
What, all my pretty chickens and their dam All of them? What, all my children and their
225 At one fell swoop? mother dead in one fell swoop?
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Dispute it like a man. Fight it like a man.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
I shall do so, I will. But I also have to feel it like a man. I cant
But I must also feel it as a man. help remembering the things that were most
I cannot but remember such things were precious to me. Did heaven watch the slaughter
230 That were most precious to me. Did heaven look on, and not send down any help? Sinful Macduff,
And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff, they were killed because of you! As wicked as I
They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am, am, they were slaughtered because of me, not
Not for their own demerits, but for mine, because of anything they did. May God give their
Fell slaughter on their souls. Heaven rest them now. souls rest.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
235 Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief Let this anger sharpen your sword. Transform
Convert to anger. Blunt not the heart, enrage it. your grief into anger. Dont block the feelings in
your heart; let them loose as rage.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Oh, I could play the woman with mine eyes I could go on weeping like a woman and
And braggart with my tongue! But, gentle heavens, bragging about how I will avenge them! But
Cut short all intermission. Front to front gentle heavens, dont keep me waiting. Bring me
240 Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself. face to face with Macbeth, that devil of Scotland.
Within my swords length set him; if he scape, Put him within the reach of my sword, and if he
Heaven forgive him too. escapes, may heaven forgive him as well!

MALCOLM MALCOLM
This tune goes manly. Now you sound like a man. Come on, lets go
Come, go we to the king. Our power is ready; see King Edward. The army is ready. All we have
Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth to do now is say goodbye to the king. Macbeth is
245 Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above ripe for the picking. Well be acting as Gods
Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you agents. Cheer up as much as you can. A new
may. day will come at last.
The night is long that never finds the day.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 5, Scene 1
Enter a DOCTOR of physic and a waiting- A DOCTOR and a waiting-

GENTLEWOMAN GENTLEWOMANenter.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
I have two nights watched with you but can perceive Ive stayed up with you for two nights now, and I
no truth in your report. When was it she last walked? havent seen any evidence of what you were
talking about. When was the last time you saw
her sleepwalking?
GENTLEWOMAN GENTLEWOMAN
Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her Since Macbeth went to war, I have seen her rise
rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, from her bed, put on her nightgown, unlock her
unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write closet, take out some paper, fold it, write on it,
upon t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to read it, seal it up, and then return to bed,
bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep. remaining asleep the entire time.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the Its unnatural to be asleep and act as if youre
benefit of sleep, and do the line>effects of watching. awake. When she is like this, besides walking
In this slumbery agitation, besides her walking and and performing various activities, have you heard
other actual performances, what, at any time, have her say anything?
you heard her say?
That, sir, which I will not report after her. She says something, sir, but I will not repeat it to
you.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
You may to me, and tis most meet you should. You can tell me. You really should.
Neither to you nor any one, having no witness to I will not confess it to you nor to anyone else,
confirm my speech. because there was no one else to witness her
speech.
Enter LADY MACBETH with a taper LADY MACBETH enters, holding a candle.
Lo you, here she comes. This is her very guise; and, Look, here she comes! This is exactly how she
upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her, stand close. always looks, andI swear itshe is fast asleep.
Watch her. Keep hidden.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
15 How came she by that light? How did she get that candle?

Why, it stood by her. She has light by her continually. It stands by her bedside. She always has to have
'Tis her command. a light next to her. Those are her orders.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
You see her eyes are open. You see, her eyes are open.
Ay, but their sense is shut. Yes, but they dont see anything.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs her Whats she doing now? Look how she rubs her
hands. hands.
20 It is an accustomed action with her to seem thus She often does that. She looks like shes washing
washing her hands. I have known her continue in this her hands. Ive seen her do that before for as
a quarter of an hour. long as fifteen minutes.
Yet heres a spot. Theres still a spot here.

DOCTOR DOCTOR
Hark! She speaks. I will set down what comes from Listen! Shes talking. Ill write down what she
her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly. says, so Ill remember it better.
25 Out, damned spot! Out, I say!One, two. Why, (rubbing her hands) Come out, damned spot!
then, tis time to do t. Hell is murky!Fie, my lord, Out, I command you! One, two. OK, its time to do
fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who it now.Hell is murky!Nonsense, my lord,
knows it, when none can call our power to nonsense! You are a soldier, and yet you are
account?Yet who would have thought the old man afraid? Why should we be scared, when no one
to have had so much blood in him. can lay the guilt upon us?But who would have
thought the old man would have had so much
blood in him?
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Do you mark that? Did you hear that?
30 The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she
What, will these hands ne'er be clean?No more o' now?What, will my hands never be clean?No
that, my lord, no more o' that. You mar all with this more of that, my lord, no more of that. Youll ruin
starting. everything by acting startled like this.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Go to, go to. You have known what you should not. Now look what youve done. Youve heard
something you shouldnt have.

She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of She said something she shouldnt have said, Im
that. Heaven knows what she has known. sure of that. Heaven knows what secrets shes
keeping.
Heres the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of I still have the smell of blood on my hand. All the
Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, Oh, Oh! perfumes of Arabia couldnt make my little hand
smell better. Oh, oh, oh!
DOCTOR DOCTOR
What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged. What a heavy sigh! Her heart is carrying a heavy
weight.
I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the I wouldnt want a heart like hers even if you made
dignity of the whole body. me queen.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Well, well, well. Well, well, well.
Pray God it be, sir. I hope what shes saying is well, sir!
DOCTOR DOCTOR
40 This disease is beyond my practice. Yet I have This disease is beyond my medical skills. But I
known those which have walked in their sleep who have known people who sleepwalked and werent
have died holily in their beds. guilty of anything.
Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Look not Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Dont
so pale.I tell you yet again, Banquos buried; he look so frightened. I tell you again, Banquo is
cannot come out on s grave. buried. He cannot come out of his grave.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Even so? Is this true?
45 To bed, to bed. Theres knocking at the gate. Come, To bed, to bed! Theres a knocking at the gate.
come, come, come. Give me your hand. Whats done Come, come, come, come, give me your hand.
cannot be undone.To bed, to bed, to bed! Whats done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed,
to bed!
Exit LADY MACBETH exits.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Will she go now to bed? Will she go to bed now?

Directly. Yes, right away.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Foul whisp'rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds Evil rumors are going around. Unnatural acts will
50 Do breed unnatural troubles. Infected minds cause supernatural things to happen. People with
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. guilty and deranged minds will confess their
More needs she the divine than the physician. secrets to their pillows as they sleep. This woman
God, God forgive us all! Look after her, needs a priest more than a doctor. God forgive us
Remove from her the means of all annoyance, all! (to the waiting- GENTLEWOMAN)Look after
55 And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night. her. Remove anything she might hurt herself with.
My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight. Watch her constantly. And now, good-night. She
I think, but dare not speak. has bewildered my mind and amazed my eyes. I
have an opinion, but I dont dare to say it out
loud.
Good night, good doctor. Good night, good doctor.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 5, Scene 2
Drum and colors. MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS, LENNOX,
Enter MENTEITH, CAITHNESS,ANGUS, LENNOX, and soldiers enter with a drummer and flag.
and soldiers
MENTEITH MENTEITH
The English power is near, led on by Malcolm, The English army is near, led by Malcolm, his
His uncle Siward and the good Macduff. uncle Siward, and the good Macduff. They burn
Revenges burn in them, for their dear causes for revenge. The wrongs they have suffered
Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm would make dead men rise up and fight.
5 Excite the mortified man.
ANGUS ANGUS
Near Birnam Wood Well meet them near Birnam Wood. They are
Shall we well meet them; that way are they coming. coming that way.
CAITHNESS CAITHNESS
Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother? Does anyone know if Donalbain is with his
brother?
LENNOX LENNOX
For certain, sir, he is not. I have a file He is definitely not there, sir. I have a list of all the
Of all the gentry. There is Siwards son, important men. Siwards son is there, as well as
10 And many unrough youths that even now many boys too young to have beards who will
Protest their first of manhood. become men by joining in this battle.
MENTEITH MENTEITH
What does the tyrant? What is the tyrant Macbeth doing?
CAITHNESS CAITHNESS
Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies. He is fortifying his castle at Dunsinane with heavy
Some say hes mad, others that lesser hate him defenses. Some say hes insane. Those who hate
Do call it valiant fury. But, for certain, him less call it brave anger. One thing is certain:
15 He cannot buckle his distempered cause hes out of control.
Within the belt of rule.
ANGUS ANGUS
Now does he feel Now Macbeth feels the blood of his murdered
His secret murders sticking on his hands. enemies sticking to his hands. Now, rebel armies
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach. punish him every minute for his treachery. The
Those he commands move only in command, soldiers he commands are only following orders.
20 Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title They dont fight because they love Macbeth. Now
Hang loose about him, like a giants robe he seems too small to be a great king, like a
Upon a dwarfish thief. midget trying to wear the robes of a giant.

MENTEITH MENTEITH
Who then shall blame Who can blame him for acting crazy, when inside
His pestered senses to recoil and start, he condemns himself for everything hes done?
When all that is within him does condemn
25 Itself for being there?
CAITHNESS CAITHNESS
Well, march we on, Well, lets keep marching and give our loyalty to
To give obedience where tis truly owed. someone who truly deserves it. Were going to
Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, meet Malcolm, the doctor who will cure our sick
And with him pour we in our countrys purge country. Well pour out our own blood to help him.
Each drop of us.
LENNOX LENNOX
Or so much as it needs, However much blood we need to give to water
30 To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds. the royal flower and drown the weedsto make
Make we our march towards Birnam. Malcolm king and get rid of Macbeth. Lets
proceed on our march to Birnam.
Exeunt, marching They exit, marching.
Act 5, Scene 3
Enter MACBETH, DOCTOR, and attendants MACBETH, a DOCTOR, and attendants enter.
MACBETH MACBETH
Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all. Dont bring me any more reports. I dont care if all
Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane the thanes desert me. Until Birnam Wood gets up
I cannot taint with fear. Whats the boy Malcolm? and moves to Dunsinane, I wont be affected by
Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know fear. Whats the boy Malcolm? Wasnt he born
5 All mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: from a woman? The spirits that know the future
Fear not, Macbeth. No man thats born of woman have told me this: Dont be afraid, Macbeth. No
Shall e'er have power upon thee. Then fly, false man born from a woman will ever defeat you. So
thanes, get out of here, disloyal thanes, and join the weak
And mingle with the English epicures. and decadent English! My mind and courage will
10 The mind I sway by and the heart I bear never falter with doubt or shake with fear.
Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.
Enter a SERVANT A SERVANT enters.
The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! May the devil turn you black, you white-faced
Where gotst thou that goose look? fool! Why do you look like a frightened goose?
SERVANT SERVANT
There is ten thousand There are ten thousand
MACBETH MACBETH
Geese, villain? Geese, you idiot?
SERVANT SERVANT
15 Soldiers, sir. Soldiers, sir.
MACBETH MACBETH
Go, prick thy face and over-red thy fear, Go pinch your cheeks and bring some color back
Thou lily-livered boy. What soldiers, patch? into your face, you cowardly boy. What soldiers,
Death of thy soul! Those linen cheeks of thine fool? Curse you! That pale face of yours will
Are counselors to fear. What soldiers, whey-face? frighten the others as well. What soldiers, milk-
face?
SERVANT SERVANT
20 The English force, so please you. The English army, sir.
MACBETH MACBETH
Take thy face hence. Get out of my sight.

Seyton!I am sick at heart, Seyton!Im sick at heart when I seeSeyton,
When I beholdSeyton, I say!This push come here!This battle will either secure my
Will cheer me ever, or disseat me now. reign forever or else topple me from the throne. I
I have lived long enough. My way of life have lived long enough. The course of my life is
25 Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf, beginning to wither and fall away, like a yellowing
And that which should accompany old age, leaf in autumn. The things that should go along
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends, with old age, like honor, love, obedience, and
I must not look to have, but, in their stead, loyal friends, I cannot hope to have. Instead, I
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath have passionate but quietly whispered curses,
30 Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not. people who honor me with their words but not in
Seyton! their hearts, and lingering life, which my heart
would gladly end, though I cant bring myself to
do it. Seyton!
Enter SEYTON SEYTON enters.
SEYTON SEYTON
Whats your gracious pleasure? What do you want?
MACBETH MACBETH
What news more? Is there more news?
SEYTON SEYTON
All is confirmed, my lord, which was reported. All the rumors have been confirmed.
MACBETH MACBETH
Ill fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked. Ill fight until they hack the flesh off my bones.
Give me my armor. Give me my armor.
SEYTON SEYTON
35 'Tis not needed yet. You dont need it yet.
MACBETH MACBETH
Ill put it on. Ill put it on anyway. Send out more cavalry.
Send out more horses. Skirr the country round. Scour the whole country and hang anyone
Hang those that talk of fear. Give me mine armor. spreading fear. Give me my armor. (to
How does your patient, doctor? the DOCTOR) How is my wife, doctor?
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Not so sick, my lord, She is not sick, my lord, but she is troubled with
40 As she is troubled with thick-coming fancies endless visions that keep her from sleeping.
That keep her from her rest.

MACBETH MACBETH
Cure her of that. Cure her of that. Cant you treat a diseased
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, mind? Take away her memory of sorrow? Use
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, some drug to erase the troubling thoughts from
Raze out the written troubles of the brain her brain and ease her heart?
45 And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Therein the patient For that kind of relief, the patient must heal
Must minister to himself. herself.
MACBETH MACBETH
Throw physic to the dogs; Ill none of it. Medicine is for the dogs. I wont have anything to
50 Come, put mine armor on. Give me my staff. do with it. (to SEYTON) Come, put my armor on
Seyton, send out.Doctor, the thanes fly from me. me. Give me my lance. Seyton, send out the
Come, sir, dispatch.If thou couldst, doctor, cast soldiers. (to the DOCTOR) Doctor, the thanes are
The water of my land, find her disease, running away from me. (to SEYTON) Come on,
And purge it to a sound and pristine health, sir, hurry. (to the DOCTOR) Can you figure out
55 I would applaud thee to the very echo, whats wrong with my country? If you can
That should applaud again.Pull t off, I say. diagnose its disease by examining its urine, and
What rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug, bring it back to health, I will praise you to the
Would scour these English hence? Hearst thou of ends of the Earth, where the sound will echo back
them? so you can hear the applause again.
(toSEYTON) Pull it off, I tell you. (to
the DOCTOR)What drug would purge the English
from this country? Have you heard of any?
DOCTOR DOCTOR
Ay, my good lord. Your royal preparation Yes, my good lord. Your preparation for war
60 Makes us hear something. sounds like something.
MACBETH MACBETH
Bring it after me. (to SEYTON) Bring the armor and follow me. I will
I will not be afraid of death and bane, not be afraid of death and destruction until
Till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane. Birnam forest picks itself up and moves to
Dunsinane.
DOCTOR DOCTOR
(aside) Were I from Dunsinane away and clear, (to himself) I wish I were far away from
Profit again should hardly draw me here. Dunsinane. You couldnt pay me to come back
here.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 5, Scene 4
Drum and colors. MALCOLM, old SIWARD and
Enter MALCOLM, SIWARD,MACDUFF, his SON,MACDUFF, MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGU
Siwards SON, MENTEITH,CAITHNESS, ANGUS, S,LENNOX, ROSS, and SOLDIERS enter marching,
LENNOX, ROSS, andSOLDIERS, marching with a drummer and flag.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Cousins, I hope the days are near at hand Kinsmen, I hope the time is coming when people will be
That chambers will be safe. safe in their own bedrooms.
MENTEITH MENTEITH
We doubt it nothing. We dont doubt it.
SIWARD SIWARD
What wood is this before us? Whats the name of this forest behind us?
MENTEITH MENTEITH
The wood of Birnam. Birnam Wood.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Let every soldier hew him down a bough Tell every soldier to break off a branch and hold it in
5 And bear t before him. Thereby shall we shadow front of him. That way we can conceal how many of us
The numbers of our host and make discovery there are, and Macbeths spies will give him inaccurate
Err in report of us. reports.
SOLDIERS SOLDIERS
It shall be done. Well do it.
SIWARD SIWARD
We learn no other but the confident tyrant We have no news except that the overconfident
Keeps still in Dunsinane and will endure Macbeth is still in Dunsinane and will allow us to lay
1 Our setting down before t. siege to the castle.
0
MALCOLM MALCOLM
'Tis his main hope: He wants us to lay siege. Wherever his soldiers have an
For, where there is advantage to be given, opportunity to leave him, they do, whatever rank they
Both more and less have given him the revolt, are. No one fights with him except men who are forced
And none serve with him but constraind things to, and their hearts arent in it.
Whose hearts are absent too.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Let our just censures We shouldnt make any judgments until we achieve our
1 Attend the true event, and put we on goal. Lets go fight like hardworking soldiers.
5 Industrious soldiership.

SIWARD SIWARD
The time approaches Soon well find out whats really ours and what
That will with due decision make us know isnt. Its easy for us to get our hopes up just
What we shall say we have and what we owe. sitting around thinking about it, but the only way
Thoughts speculative their unsure hopes relate, this is really going to be settled is by violence. So
20 But certain issue strokes must arbitrate. lets move our armies forward.
Towards which, advance the war.
Exeunt, marching They exit, marching.
Act 5, Scene 5
Enter MACBETH, SEYTON, and SOLDIERS, with MACBETH, SEYTON, and SOLDIERS enter with
drum and colors a drummer and flag.
MACBETH MACBETH
Hang out our banners on the outward walls. Hang our flags on the outer walls. Everyone
The cry is still They come! Our castles strength keeps yelling, Here they come! Our castle is
Will laugh a siege to scorn. Here let them lie strong enough to laugh off their seige. They can
Till famine and the ague eat them up. sit out there until they die of hunger and disease.
5 Were they not forced with those that should be ours, If it werent for the fact that so many of our
We might have met them dareful, beard to beard, soldiers revolted and joined them, we could have
And beat them backward home. met them out in front of the castle, man to man,
and beaten them back to England.
A cry within of women A sound of women crying offstage.
What is that noise? Whats that noise?
SEYTON SEYTON
It is the cry of women, my good lord. Its women crying, my good lord.
Exit SEYTON exits.
MACBETH MACBETH
I have almost forgot the taste of fears. Ive almost forgotten what fear feels like. There
10 The time has been my senses would have cooled was a time when I would have been terrified by a
To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair shriek in the night, and the hair on my skin would
Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir have stood up when I heard a ghost story. But
As life were in t. I have supped full with horrors. now Ive had my fill of real horrors. Horrible things
Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts are so familiar that they cant startle me.
15 Cannot once start me.
Enter SEYTON SEYTON comes back in.
Wherefore was that cry? What was that cry for?
SEYTON SEYTON
The queen, my lord, is dead. The queen is dead, my lord.

MACBETH MACBETH
She should have died hereafter. She would have died later anyway. That news
There would have been a time for such a word. was bound to come someday. Tomorrow, and
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, tomorrow, and tomorrow. The days creep slowly
20 Creeps in this petty pace from day to day along until the end of time. And every day thats
To the last syllable of recorded time, already happened has taken fools that much
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools closer to their deaths. Out, out, brief candle. Life
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! is nothing more than an illusion. Its like a poor
Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player actor who struts and worries for his hour on the
25 That struts and frets his hour upon the stage stage and then is never heard from again. Life is
And then is heard no more. It is a tale a story told by an idiot, full of noise and emotional
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, disturbance but devoid of meaning.
Signifying nothing.
Enter a MESSENGER A MESSENGER enters.
Thou comest to use Youve come to tell me something. Tell me
Thy tongue; thy story quickly. quickly.
MESSENGER MESSENGER
Gracious my lord, My gracious lord, I should tell you what I saw, but
30 I should report that which I say I saw, I dont know how to say it.
But know not how to do t.
MACBETH MACBETH
Well, say, sir. Just say it.
MESSENGER MESSENGER
As I did stand my watch upon the hill, As I was standing watch on the hill, I looked
I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought toward Birnam, and I thought I saw the forest
The wood began to move. begin to move.
MACBETH MACBETH
Liar and slave! Liar and slave!
MESSENGER MESSENGER
35 Let me endure your wrath, if t be not so. Punish me if its not true. Three miles from here
Within this three mile may you see it coming; you can see it coming, a moving forest.
I say, a moving grove.

MACBETH MACBETH
If thou speakst false, If youre lying, Ill hang you alive from the nearest
Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive tree until you die of hunger. If what you say is
Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth, true, you can do the same to me. (to himself) My
40 I care not if thou dost for me as much. confidence is failing. Im starting to doubt the lies
I pull in resolution and begin the devil told me, which sounded like truth. Dont
To doubt th' equivocation of the fiend worry until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
That lies like truth. Fear not, till Birnam wood And now a wood is coming to Dunsinane.
Do come to Dunsinane; and now a wood Prepare for battle, and go! If what this messenger
45 Comes toward Dunsinane.Arm, arm, and out! says is true, its no use running away or staying
If this which he avouches does appear, here. Im starting to grow tired of living, and Id
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here. like to see the world plunged into chaos. Ring the
I 'gin to be aweary of the sun, alarms! Blow, wind! Come, ruin! At least well die
And wish th' estate o' th' world were now undone. with our armor on.
50 Ring the alarum-bell!Blow, wind! Come, wrack!
At least well die with harness on our back.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 5, Scene 6
Drum and colors. MALCOLM, old SIWARD, MACDUFF, and their
Enter MALCOLM, SIWARD,MACDUFF, and their army enter carrying branches, with a drummer
army, with boughs and flag.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Now near enough. Your leafy screens throw down, Were close enough now. Throw down these
And show like those you are.You, worthy uncle, branches and show them who you really are.
Shall, with my cousin, your right-noble son, Uncle Siward, you and your son will lead the first
Lead our first battle. Worthy Macduff and we battle. Brave Macduff and I will do the rest,
5 Shall take upon s what else remains to do, according to our battle plan.
According to our order.
SIWARD SIWARD
Fare you well. Good luck. If we meet Macbeths army tonight, let
Do we but find the tyrants power tonight, us be beaten if we cannot fight.
Let us be beaten if we cannot fight.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
10 Make all our trumpets speak; give them all breath, Blow all the trumpets. They loudly announce the
Those clamorous harbingers of blood and death. news of blood and death.
Exeunt They exit.
Act 5, Scene 7
Alarums. Enter MACBETH Trumpets and the noise of
battle. MACBETHenters.
MACBETH MACBETH
They have tied me to a stake. I cannot fly, They have me tied to a stake. I cant run away. I
But, bearlike, I must fight the course. Whats he have to stand and fight, like a bear.Wheres the
That was not born of woman? Such a one man who wasnt born from a woman? Hes the
Am I to fear, or none. only one Im afraid of, nobody else.

Enter YOUNG SIWARD YOUNG SIWARD enters.
YOUNG SIWARD YOUNG SIWARD
5 What is thy name? Whats your name?
MACBETH MACBETH
Thou 'lt be afraid to hear it. Youll be afraid to hear it.
No, though thou callst thyself a hotter name No I wont, even if you were one of the worst
Than any is in hell. demons in hell.
MACBETH MACBETH
My names Macbeth. My names Macbeth.
10 The devil himself could not pronounce a title The devil himself couldnt say a name I hate
More hateful to mine ear. more.
MACBETH MACBETH
No, nor more fearful. No, nor could the devils name be more
frightening.
Thou liest, abhorrd tyrant. With my sword You lie, you disgusting tyrant. Ill prove with my
Ill prove the lie thou speakst. sword that Im not scared of you.
They fight and YOUNG SIWARD is slain They fight and YOUNG SIWARD is killed.
MACBETH MACBETH
Thou wast born of woman. You were born from a woman. Swords dont
But swords I smile at, weapons laugh to scorn, frighten me. I laugh at any weapon used by a
15 Brandished by man thats of a woman born. man who was born from a woman.

Exit MACBETH exits.
Alarums. Enter MACDUFF Trumpets and battle sounds. MACDUFF enters.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
That way the noise is. Tyrant, show thy face! The noise is coming from over there. Tyrant,
If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine, show your face! If someone other than me kills
My wife and childrens ghosts will haunt me still. you, the ghosts of my wife and children will haunt
I cannot strike at wretched kerns, whose arms me forever. I cant be bothered to fight these lame
20 Are hired to bear their staves. Either thou, Macbeth, soldiers who only fight for money. Ill either fight
Or else my sword with an unbattered edge you, Macbeth, or else Ill put down my sword
I sheathe again undeeded. There thou shouldst be; unused. You must be over there. By the great
By this great clatter, one of the greatest note noise, it sounds like one of the highest-ranking
Seems bruited. Let me find him, Fortune, men is being announced. I hope I find him! I ask
25 And more I beg not. for nothing more than that.
Exit. Alarums MACDUFF exits. More battle noises.
Enter MALCOLM and SIWARD MALCOLM and old SIWARD enter.
SIWARD SIWARD
This way, my lord. The castles gently rendered. Come this way, my lord. The castle has been
The tyrants people on both sides do fight, surrendered without a fight. Macbeths soldiers
The noble thanes do bravely in the war, are fighting on both sides. Our noblemen are
The day almost itself professes yours, battling bravely. The victory is almost yours, and
30 And little is to do. it seems like theres not much left to do.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
We have met with foes Our enemies fight as if theyre trying not to hurt
That strike beside us. us.

SIWARD SIWARD
Enter, sir, the castle. Sir, enter the castle.
Exeunt. Alarums They exit. Battle noises continue.
Act 5, Scene 8
MACBETH MACBETH
Why should I play the Roman fool and die Why should I commit suicide like one of the
On mine own sword? Whiles I see lives, the gashes ancient Romans? As long as I see enemies of
Do better upon them. mine alive, I would rather see my sword wound
them than me.
Enter MACDUFF MACDUFF enters.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Turn, hellhound, turn! Turn around, you dog from hell, turn around!
MACBETH MACBETH
Of all men else I have avoided thee. You are the only man I have avoided. But go
5 But get thee back. My soul is too much charged away now. Im already guilty of killing your whole
With blood of thine already. family.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
I have no words. I have nothing to say to you. My sword will talk for
My voice is in my sword. Thou bloodier villain me. You are too evil for words!
Than terms can give thee out!
They fight They fight.
MACBETH MACBETH
Thou losest labor. Youre wasting your time trying to wound me. You
As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air might as well try to stab the air with your sword.
10 With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed. Go fight someone who can be harmed. I lead a
Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests; charmed life, which cant be ended by anyone
I bear a charmd life, which must not yield born from a woman.
To one of woman born.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Despair thy charm, You can forget about your charm. The evil spirit
And let the angel whom thou still hast served you serve can tell you that I was not born. They
15 Tell thee, Macduff was from his mothers womb cut me out of my mothers womb before she
Untimely ripped. could bear me naturally.

MACBETH MACBETH
Accursd be that tongue that tells me so, Curse you for telling me this. Youve fightened
For it hath cowed my better part of man! away my courage. I dont believe those evil
And be these juggling fiends no more believed, creatures anymore. They tricked me with their
20 That palter with us in a double sense, wordgames, raising my hopes and then
That keep the word of promise to our ear, destroying them. I wont fight you.
And break it to our hope. Ill not fight with thee.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Then yield thee, coward, Then surrender, coward, and well put you in a
And live to be the show and gaze o' th' time. freakshow, just like they do with deformed
25 Well have thee, as our rarer monsters are, animals. Well put a picture of you on a sign, right
Painted on a pole, and underwrit, above the words Come see the tyrant!
Here may you see the tyrant.

MACBETH MACBETH
I will not yield, Im not going to surrender and have to kiss the
To kiss the ground before young Malcolms feet, ground in front of Malcolm, or be taunted by the
And to be baited with the rabbles curse. common people. Even though Birnam Wood
30 Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane, really did come to Dunsinane, and Im fighting a
And thou opposed, being of no woman born, man not of woman born, Ill fight to the end. Ill put
Yet I will try the last. Before my body up my shield and battle you. Come on, lets go at
I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff, it, Macduff, and damn the first man who cries,
And damned be him that first cries, Hold, enough! 'Stop! Enough!'
Exeunt, fighting. Alarums. They enter fighting, They exit fighting. Trumpets and battle noises.
andMACBETH slain. Retreat. Flourish. Enter, with The trumpet of one army sounds a call to retreat.
drum and The other armys trumpet sounds a call of victory.
colors MALCOLM, SIWARD, ROSS, THANES, The victorious army enters, led by MALCOLM,
and SOLDIERS old SIWARD, ROSS, the other THANES, and
soldiers, with a drummer and flag.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
35 I would the friends we miss were safe arrived. I wish all of our friends could have survived this
battle.
SIWARD SIWARD
Some must go off. And yet, by these I see, In every battle, some people will always be killed,
So great a day as this is cheaply bought. but judging from the men I see around us, our
great victory didnt cost us very much.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Macduff is missing, and your noble son. Macduff is missing, and so is your noble son.
ROSS ROSS
Your son, my lord, has paid a soldiers debt. My lord, your son has paid the soldiers price:
40 He only lived but till he was a man, death. He only lived long enough to become a
The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed man, and as soon as he proved that he was a
In the unshrinking station where he fought, man by fighting like one, he died.
But like a man he died.

SIWARD SIWARD
Then he is dead? So hes dead?
ROSS ROSS
Ay, and brought off the field. Your cause of sorrow Yes, and hes been carried off the field. Your grief
45 Must not be measured by his worth, for then should not be equal to his worth, because then
It hath no end. your sorrow would never end.
SIWARD SIWARD
Had he his hurts before? Were his wounds on his front side?
ROSS ROSS
Ay, on the front. Yes, on his front.
SIWARD SIWARD
Why then, Gods soldier be he! Well then, hes Gods soldier now! If I had as
Had I as many sons as I have hairs, many sons as I have hairs on my head, I couldnt
I would not wish them to a fairer death. hope that any of them would die more honorably
50 And so, his knell is knolled. than he did. And thats all there is to it.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
Hes worth more sorrow, He is worth more mourning than that, and I will
And that Ill spend for him. mourn for him.
SIWARD SIWARD
Hes worth no more. He is worth no more than that. They tell me he
They say he parted well and paid his score. died well, and settled his scores. With that, I hope
And so, God be with him! Here comes newer comfort. God is with him! Here comes better news.
Enter MACDUFF with MACBETHs head MACDUFF enters, carrying MACBETHs head.
MACDUFF MACDUFF
Hail, king! For so thou art. Behold where stands Hail, king! Because thats what you are now.
55 The usurpers cursd head. The time is free. Look, here I have Macbeths cursed head. We
I see thee compassed with thy kingdoms pearl, are free from his tyranny. I see that you have the
That speak my salutation in their minds, kingdoms noblemen around you, and theyre
Whose voices I desire aloud with mine. thinking the same thing as me. I want them to join
Hail, King of Scotland! me in this loud cheer, Hail, King of Scotland!

ALL ALL
60 Hail, King of Scotland! Hail, King of Scotland!
Flourish Trumpets play.
MALCOLM MALCOLM
We shall not spend a large expense of time It wont be long before I reward each of you as he
Before we reckon with your several loves deserves. My thanes and kinsmen, I name you all
And make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen, earls, the first earls that Scotland has ever had.
Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland We have a lot to do at the dawn of this new era.
65 In such an honor named. Whats more to do, We must call home all of our exiled friends who
Which would be planted newly with the time, fled from the grip of Macbeths tyranny, and we
As calling home our exiled friends abroad must bring to justice all the evil ministers of this
That fled the snares of watchful tyranny, dead butcher and his demon-like queen, who,
Producing forth the cruel ministers rumor has it, committed suicide. This, and
70 Of this dead butcher and his fiendlike queen, whatever else we are called to do by God, we will
Who, as tis thought, by self and violent hands do at the right time and in the right place. So I
Took off her life; this, and what needful else thank you all, and I invite each and every one of
That calls upon us, by the grace of Grace, you to come watch me be crowned king of
We will perform in measure, time, and place. Scotland at Scone.
75 So, thanks to all at once and to each one,
Whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.
Flourish. Exeunt Trumpets play. They all exit.

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No Fear Shakespeare Macbeth (by SparkNotes) -1-

Original Text Modern Text

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 2, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 4

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 5

And poured them down before him. country.

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 6

Act 1, Scene 3, Page 7

Act 1, Scene 4, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 4, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 5, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 6, Page 2

Give me your hand. Give me your hand. Bring me to my host,

Act 1, Scene 7, Page 2

Act 1, Scene 7, Page 3

Act 1, Scene 7, Page 4

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 2

Act 2, Scene 1, Page 3

Act 2, Scene 2, Page 2

Act 2, Scene 2, Page 3

Act 2, Scene 2, Page 4

fashion he cant get away with it. Come on in,

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 2

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 3

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 4

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 5

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 6

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 7

Act 2, Scene 3, Page 8

Exeunt They exit.

Act 2, Scene 4, Page 2

Act 2, Scene 4, Page 3

Act 3, Scene 1, Page 2

Act 3, Scene 1, Page 3

Act 3, Scene 1, Page 4

Act 3, Scene 1, Page 5

Act 3, Scene 1, Page 6

Exeunt MURDERERS The MURDERERS exit.

Act 3, Scene 2, Page 2

Act 3, Scene 2, Page 3

Act 3, Scene 3, Page 2

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 2

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 3

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 4

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 5

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 6

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 7

Act 3, Scene 4, Page 8

Act 3, Scene 5, Page 2

failed speaks his mind too plainly, and because he

Act 3, Scene 6, Page 2

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 2

Enchanting all that you put in.

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 3

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 4

70 Thyself and office deftly show! what you do.

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 5

Act 4, Scene 1, Page 6

Horrible sight! Now I see it is true, they are