Download No Fear Shakespeare - Macbeth: Act 2, Scenes 1-3 and more Lecture notes Voice in PDF only on Docsity!
Original Text Modern Text
A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep Their drenchèd natures lie as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon The unguarded Duncan? What not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell? do, we can lay all the blame on the drunken servants. 75
MACBETH
Bring forth men-children only, For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received, When we have marked with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, That they have done ’t?
MACBETH
May you only give birth to male children, because your fearless spirit should create nothing that isn’t masculine. Once we have covered the two servants with blood, and used their daggers to kill, won’t people believe that they were the culprits?
Act 1, Scene 7, Page 4
LADY MACBETH
Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Upon his death?
LADY MACBETH
Who could think it happened any other way? We’ll be grieving loudly when we hear that Duncan has died. 80
MACBETH
I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
MACBETH
Now I’m decided, and I will exert every muscle in my body to commit this crime. Go now, and pretend to be a friendly hostess. Hide with a false 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 him BANQUO enters with FLEANCE , who lights the way with a torch. BANQUO How goes the night, boy?
BANQUO
How’s the night going, boy? FLEANCE The moon is down. I have not heard the clock.
FLEANCE
The moon has set. The clock hasn’t struck yet. BANQUO And she goes down at twelve.
BANQUO
The moon sets at twelve, right? FLEANCE I take ’t ’tis later, sir.
FLEANCE
I think it’s later than that, sir. 5
BANQUO
Hold, take my sword. There’s husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose.
BANQUO
Here, take my sword. The heavens are being stingy with their light. Take this, too. I’m tired and feeling heavy, but I can’t sleep. Merciful powers, keep away the nightmares that plague me when I rest! Enter MACBETH and a SERVANT with a torch MACBETH enters with a SERVANT , who carries a torch. Give me my sword. Who’s there? Give me my sword. Who’s there? 10
MACBETH
A friend.
MACBETH
A friend.
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BANQUO
What, sir, not yet at rest? The king’s a-bed. He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess to your offices. This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up In measureless content.
BANQUO
You’re not asleep yet, sir? The king’s in bed. He’s been in an unusually good mood and has granted many gifts to your household and servants. This diamond is a present from him to your wife for her boundless hospitality. (he hands MACBETH a diamond) MACBETH Being unprepared, Our will became the servant to defect, Which else should free have wrought.
MACBETH
Because we were unprepared for the king’s visit, we weren’t able to entertain him as well as we would have wanted to.
Act 2, Scene 1, Page 2
BANQUO
All’s well. I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: To you they have showed some truth.
BANQUO
Everything’s OK. I had a dream last night about the three witches. At least part of what they said about you was true. MACBETH I think not of them. Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time.
MACBETH
I don’t think about them now. But when we have an hour to spare we can talk more about it, if you’re willing. BANQUO At your kind’st leisure.
BANQUO
Whenever you like. 25
MACBETH
If you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis, It shall make honor for you.
MACBETH
If you stick with me, when the time comes, there will be something in it for you. BANQUO So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counselled.
BANQUO
I’ll do whatever you say, as long as I can do it with a clear conscience. MACBETH Good repose the while!
MACBETH
Rest easy in the meantime. 30
BANQUO
Thanks, sir: the like to you!
BANQUO
Thank you, sir. You do the same. Exeunt BANQUO and FLEANCE BANQUO and FLEANCE exit. MACBETH (to the SERVANT ) Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.
MACBETH
(to the SERVANT ) Go and tell your mistress to strike the bell when my drink is ready. Get yourself to bed. Exit SERVANT The SERVANT exits. 35 40 Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable Is this a dagger I see in front of me, with its handle pointing toward my hand? (to the dagger) Come, let me hold you. (he grabs at the air in front of him without touching anything) I don’t have you but I can still see you. Fateful apparition, isn’t it possible to touch you as well as see you? Or are you nothing more than a dagger created by the mind, a hallucination from my fevered brain? I can still see you, and you look as
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He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done ’t. noise.) Listen to that! I put the servants' daggers where Macbeth would find them. He couldn’t have missed them. If Duncan hadn’t 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 I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?
MACBETH
I have done the deed. Did you hear a noise? 15
LADY MACBETH
I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak?
LADY MACBETH
I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Didn’t you say something? MACBETH When?
MACBETH
When?
Act 2, Scene 2, Page 2
LADY MACBETH
Now.
LADY MACBETH
Just now. MACBETH As I descended?
MACBETH
As I came down? LADY MACBETH Ay.
LADY MACBETH
Yes. MACBETH Hark! Who lies i' th' second chamber?
MACBETH
Listen! Who’s sleeping in the second chamber? LADY MACBETH Donalbain.
LADY MACBETH
Donalbain. 20
MACBETH
(looking at his hands) This is a sorry sight.
MACBETH
(looking at his bloody hands) This is a sorry sight. LADY MACBETH A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.
LADY MACBETH
That’s a stupid thing to say. 25
MACBETH
There’s one did laugh in ’s sleep, and one cried. “Murder!” That they did wake each other. I stood and heard them. But they did say their prayers, and addressed them Again to sleep.
MACBETH
One of the servants laughed in his sleep, and one cried, “Murder!” and they woke each other up. I stood and listened to them, but then they said their prayers and went back to sleep. LADY MACBETH There are two lodged together.
LADY MACBETH
Malcolm and Donalbain are asleep in the same room. MACBETH One cried, “God bless us!” and “Amen” the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands. List'ning their fear I could not say “Amen,” When they did say “God bless us!”
MACBETH
One servant cried, “God bless us!” and the other replied, “Amen,” as if they had seen my bloody hands. Listening to their frightened voices, I couldn’t reply “Amen” when they said “God bless us!” 30
LADY MACBETH
Consider it not so deeply.
LADY MACBETH
Don’t think about it so much. MACBETH But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?
MACBETH
But why couldn’t I say “Amen”? I desperately
Original Text Modern Text
I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” Stuck in my throat. needed God’s blessing, but the word “Amen” stuck in my throat. LADY MACBETH These deeds must not be thought After these ways. So, it will make us mad.
LADY MACBETH
We can’t think that way about what we did. If we do, it’ll drive us crazy.
Act 2, Scene 2, Page 3
MACBETH
Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast.
MACBETH
I thought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth is murdering sleep.” Innocent sleep. Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds. Sleep, the main course in life’s feast, and the most nourishing. LADY MACBETH What do you mean?
LADY MACBETH
What are you talking about? MACBETH Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”
MACBETH
The voice kept crying, “Sleep no more!” to everyone in the house. “Macbeth has murdered sleep, and therefore Macbeth will sleep no more.” 45 50
LADY MACBETH
Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength to think So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, And wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go carry them and smear The sleepy grooms with blood.
LADY MACBETH
Who said that? Why, my worthy lord, you let yourself become weak when you think about things in this cowardly way. Go get some water and wash this bloody evidence from your hands. Why did you carry these daggers out of the room? They have to stay there. Go take them back and smear the sleeping guards with the blood. MACBETH I’ll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on ’t again I dare not.
MACBETH
I can’t go back. I’m afraid even to think about what I’ve done. I can’t stand to look at it again. 55
LADY MACBETH
Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. 'Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt.
LADY MACBETH
Coward! Give me the daggers. Dead and sleeping people can’t hurt you any more than pictures can. Only children are afraid of scary pictures. If Duncan bleeds I’ll paint the servants' faces with his blood. We must make it seem like they’re guilty. Exit LADY MACBETH exits. Knock within A sound of knocking from offstage.
Act 2, Scene 2, Page 4
MACBETH
Whence is that knocking? How is ’t with me when every noise appals me? What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
MACBETH
Where is that knocking coming from? What’s happening to me, that I’m frightened of every noise? (looking at his hands) Whose hands are these? Ha! They’re plucking out my eyes. Will all the water in the ocean wash this blood from my
Original Text Modern Text
fashion he can’t get away with it. Come on in, tailor. You can heat your iron up in here. Knock within A sound of knocking from offstage.
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 2
Knock, knock! Never at quiet. What are you? But this place is too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further. I had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire. Knock, knock! Never a moment of peace! Who are you? Ah, this place is too cold to be hell. I won’t pretend to be the devil’s porter anymore. I was going to let someone from every profession into hell. Knock within A sound of knocking from offstage. Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter. I’m coming, I’m coming! Please, don’t forget to leave me a tip. Opens the gate The PORTER opens the gate. Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX MACDUFF and LENNOX enter. MACDUFF Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, That you do lie so late?
MACDUFF
Did you go to bed so late, my friend, that you’re having a hard time getting up now? 10
PORTER
'Faith sir, we were carousing till the second cock. And drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.
PORTER
That’s right sir, we were drinking until 3 A.M., and drink, sir, makes a man do three things. MACDUFF What three things does drink especially provoke?
MACDUFF
What three things does drink make a man do? PORTER Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore, much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery. It makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.
PORTER
Drinking turns your nose red, it puts you to sleep, and it makes you urinate. Lust it turns on but also turns off. What I mean is, drinking stimulates desire but hinders performance. Therefore, too much drink is like a con artist when it comes to your sex drive. It sets you up for a fall. It gets you up but it keeps you from getting off. It persuades you and discourages you. It gives you an erection but doesn’t let you keep it, if you see what I’m saying. It makes you dream about erotic experiences, but then it leaves you asleep and needing to pee. MACDUFF I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.
MACDUFF
I believe drink did all of this to you last night.
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 3
PORTER
That it did, sir, i' th' very throat on me; but I requited him for his lie, and, I think, being too strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him.
PORTER
It did, sir. It got me right in the throat. But I got even with drink. I was too strong for it. Although it weakened my legs and made me unsteady, I managed to vomit it out and laid it flat on the ground. 15
MACDUFF
Is thy master stirring?
MACDUFF
Is your master awake? Enter MACBETH MACBETH enters. Our knocking has awaked him. Here he comes. Our knocking woke him up. Here he comes.
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LENNOX
Good morrow, noble sir.
LENNOX
Good morning, noble sir. MACBETH Good morrow, both.
MACBETH
Good morning to both of you. MACDUFF Is the king stirring, worthy thane?
MACDUFF
Is the king awake, worthy thane? MACBETH Not yet.
MACBETH
Not yet. 20
MACDUFF
He did command me to call timely on him. I have almost slipped the hour.
MACDUFF
He commanded me to wake him up early. I’ve almost missed the time he requested. MACBETH I’ll bring you to him.
MACBETH
I’ll bring you to him. MACDUFF I know this is a joyful trouble to you, But yet ’tis one.
MACDUFF
I know the burden of hosting him is both an honor and a trouble, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a trouble just the same. MACBETH The labor we delight in physics pain. This is the door.
MACBETH
The work we enjoy is not really work. This is the door. 25
MACDUFF
I’ll make so bold to call, For ’tis my limited service.
MACDUFF
I’ll wake him, because that’s my job. Exit MACDUFF MACDUFF exits. LENNOX Goes the king hence today?
LENNOX
Is the king leaving here today?
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 4
MACBETH
He does. He did appoint so.
MACBETH
He is. He told us to arrange it. 30 35
LENNOX
The night has been unruly. Where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard i' th' air, strange screams of death, And prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused events New hatched to the woeful time. The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night. Some say the Earth Was feverous and did shake.
LENNOX
The night has been chaotic. The wind blew down through the chimneys where we were sleeping. People are saying they heard cries of grief in the air, strange screams of death, and terrible voices predicting catastrophes that will usher in a woeful new age. The owl made noise all night. Some people say that the earth shook as if it had a fever. MACBETH 'Twas a rough night.
MACBETH
It was a rough night. LENNOX My young remembrance cannot parallel A fellow to it.
LENNOX
I’m too young to remember anything like it. Enter MACDUFF MACDUFF enters, upset. MACDUFF O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!
MACDUFF
Oh, horror, horror, horror! This is beyond words and beyond belief! MACBETH & LENNOX What’s the matter?
MACBETH & LENNOX
What’s the matter?
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I had lived a blessèd time, for from this instant There’s nothing serious in mortality. All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead. The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees Is left this vault to brag of. say I had lived a blessed life. Because from this moment on, there is nothing worth living for. Everything is a sick joke. The graceful and renowned king is dead. The wine of life has been poured out, and only the dregs remain. Enter MALCOLM and DONALBAIN MALCOLM and DONALBAIN enter. DONALBAIN What is amiss?
DONALBAIN
What’s wrong? 75
MACBETH
You are, and do not know ’t. The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood Is stopped; the very source of it is stopped.
MACBETH
You are, but you don’t know it yet. The source from which your royal blood comes has been stopped. MACDUFF Your royal father’s murdered.
MACDUFF
Your royal father is murdered. MALCOLM Oh, by whom?
MALCOLM
Who did it? 80
LENNOX
Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done ’t. Their hands and faces were all badged with blood. So were their daggers, which unwiped we found Upon their pillows. They stared, and were distracted. No man’s life was to be trusted with them.
LENNOX
It seems that the guards who were supposed to be protecting his chamber did it. Their hands and faces were all covered with blood. So were their daggers, which we found on their pillows, unwiped. They stared at us in confusion. No one’s life should have been entrusted to them. 85
MACBETH
Oh, yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them.
MACBETH
And yet I still regret the anger that drove me to kill them.
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 7
MACDUFF
Wherefore did you so?
MACDUFF
What did you do that for? 90 95
MACBETH
Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious, Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man. Th' expedition of my violent love Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood, And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there, the murderers, Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain, That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make ’s love known?
MACBETH
Is it possible to be wise, bewildered, calm, furious, loyal, and neutral all at once? Nobody can do that. The violent rage inspired by my love for Duncan caused me to act before I could think rationally and tell myself to pause. There was Duncan, his white skin all splattered with his precious blood. The gashes where the knives had cut him looked like wounds to nature itself. Then right next to him I saw the murderers, dripping with blood, their daggers rudely covered in gore. Who could have restrained himself, who loved Duncan and had the courage to act on it? LADY MACBETH Help me hence, ho!
LADY MACBETH
Help me out of here, quickly! MACDUFF Look to the lady.
MACDUFF
Take care of the lady. 100
MALCOLM
(aside to DONALBAIN ) Why do we hold our tongues, That most may claim this argument for ours?
MALCOLM
(speaking so that only DONALBAIN can hear) Why are we keeping quiet? The two of us have the most to say in this matter.
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DONALBAIN
(aside to MALCOLM ) What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole, may rush and seize us? Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed.
DONALBAIN
(speaking so that only MALCOLM can hear) What are we going to say here, where danger may be waiting to strike at us from anywhere? Let’s get out of here. We haven’t even begun to weep yet—but there will be time for that later. 105
MALCOLM
(aside to DONALBAIN ) Nor our strong sorrow Upon the foot of motion.
MALCOLM
(speaking so that only DONALBAIN can hear) And the time hasn’t come yet for us to turn our deep grief into action. BANQUO Look to the lady.
BANQUO
Take care of the lady. Exit LADY MACBETH , attended LADY MACBETH is carried out.
Act 2, Scene 3, Page 8
And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet And question this most bloody piece of work, To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us. In the great hand of God I stand, and thence Against the undivulged pretense I fight Of treasonous malice. When we’re properly dressed for the cold, let’s meet and discuss this bloody crime to see if we can figure anything out. Right now we’re shaken up by fears and doubts. I’m putting myself in God’s hands, and with his help I plan to fight against the secret plot that caused this treasonous murder. MACDUFF And so do I.
MACDUFF
So will I. ALL So all.
ALL
So will we all. 115
MACBETH
Let’s briefly put on manly readiness, And meet i' th' hall together.
MACBETH
Let’s get dressed quickly and then meet in the hall. ALL Well contented.
ALL
Agreed. Exeunt all but MALCOLM and DONALBAIN Everyone exits except MALCOLM and DONALBAIN. MALCOLM What will you do? Let’s not consort with them. To show an unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy. I’ll to England.
MALCOLM
What are you going to do? Let’s not stay here with them. It’s easy for a liar to pretend to feel sorrow when he actually feels none. I’m going to England. 120
DONALBAIN
To Ireland, I. Our separated fortune Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody.
DONALBAIN
I’ll go to Ireland. We’ll both be safer if we go separate ways. Wherever we go, men will smile at us while hiding daggers. Our closest relatives are the ones most likely to murder us. 125
MALCOLM
This murderous shaft that’s shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore, to horse, And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, But shift away. There’s warrant in that theft Which steals itself when there’s no mercy left.
MALCOLM
We haven’t yet encountered that danger, and the best thing to do is avoid it entirely. With that in mind, let’s get on our horses. We’d better not worry about saying polite good-byes; we should just get away quickly. There’s good reason to escape when there’s no mercy to be found anymore.
Original Text Modern Text
MACDUFF
They were suborned. Malcolm and Donalbain, the king’s two sons, Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed.
MACDUFF
They were paid to betray their master. Malcolm and Donalbain, the king’s two sons, have run away and fled, which makes them the prime suspects. 30
ROSS
'Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will raven up Thine own lives' means! Then ’tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
ROSS
Everything about this is unnatural! What a stupid ambition, causing a son to kill the father who supports him. Then it looks like Macbeth will become king. MACDUFF He is already named and gone to Scone To be invested.
MACDUFF
He has already been named king and has left for Scone to be crowned. ROSS Where is Duncan’s body?
ROSS
Where is Duncan’s body? 35
MACDUFF
Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones.
MACDUFF
It was carried to Colmekill to be placed in the tomb of his ancestors, where their bones are kept safe. ROSS Will you to Scone?
ROSS
Are you going to Scone? MACDUFF No, cousin, I’ll to Fife.
MACDUFF
No, cousin, I’m going to Fife. ROSS Well, I will thither.
ROSS
Well, I’ll go to Scone.
Act 2, Scene 4, Page 3
MACDUFF
Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu, Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!
MACDUFF
I hope things go well there. Good-bye! And let’s hope things don’t get worse. ROSS Farewell, father.
ROSS
Farewell, old man. OLD MAN God’s benison go with you and with those That would make good of bad and friends of foes.
OLD MAN
May God’s blessing go with you and with all who turn bad into good, and enemies into friends! Exeunt They all exit.
Act 3, Scene 1
Enter BANQUO BANQUO enters. 5 10
BANQUO
Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and I fear Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them— As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine— Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.
BANQUO
Now you have it all: you’re the king, the thane of Cawdor, and the thane of Glamis, just like the weird women promised you. And I suspect you cheated to win these titles. But it was also prophesied that the crown would not go to your descendants, and that my sons and grandsons would be kings instead. If the witches tell the truth—which they did about you—maybe what they said about me will come true too. But shhh! I’ll shut up now.
