ACT THREE
WARNING: Due to formatting issues, the line numbers in the excerpts are not correct. I am working on the error. In the mean time, go to Shakespeare Online for accturate line numbers. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Scene One
Scene Two
Characters Introduced: Murderers
Deaths: N/A
Summary: Banquo starts to blame Macbeth for the death of Duncan, because he thinks that Macbeth is guilty. Macbeth proposes a banquet/dinner. Banquo is going riding with Fleance in the afternoon before the supper. Macbeth tells banquo that it must have been the bloody cousins (Malcolm and Donalbain who have fled to Ireland and England, that killed Duncan. After Banquo leaves, he calls the attendant to bring him /People./ When the attendant leaves, he details how he is in fear of Banquo and his son Fleance, and how he cannot rest easy knowing that Banquo could undo his crown. He feels that Banquo is the biggest threat and that needs to be removed. Murderers enter and Macbeth devises a plan to kill Banquo. He tells the murderers that Banquo is thier enemy, and he cannnot get away with being his enemy. he does not tell the murderers that his crown is in jeopardy. He tells them they must not be weak and they must do the killling by tonight. Macbeth also says to kill young Fleance, as he is also bad. Macbeth states at the end of the scene that Banquo will find out if he will go to heaven tonight.
Definitions:
* Parricide: Killing of a parent.
* Bossom: Heart
Important quotes:
Questions:
-
Banquo is suspicious of his friend. find direct proof.
-
who are the bloody cousins?
-
why is Banquo a threat to Macbeht?
-
what are the two main reasons for macbeth`s plan to murder Banquo? Provide evidence from the text.
-
Compare this soliloquy to the one Macbeth speaks before he kills Duncan. What has changed in his character? Why do you think this has happened?
Enter BANQUO]
BANQUO Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,
As the weird women promised, and, I fear,
Thou play'dst most foully for't: yet it was said
It should not stand in thy posterity,
But that myself should be the root and father 5
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. 10
[ Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king, LADY MACBETH, as queen, LENNOX, ROSS, Lords, Ladies, and Attendants ]
MACBETH Here's our chief guest.
LADY MACBETH If he had been forgotten,
It had been as a gap in our great feast,
And all-thing unbecoming.
MACBETH To-night we hold a solemn supper sir, 15
And I'll request your presence.
BANQUO Let your highness
Command upon me; to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
For ever knit. 20
MACBETH Ride you this afternoon?
BANQUO Ay, my good lord.
MACBETH We should have else desired your good advice,
Which still hath been both grave and prosperous,
In this day's council; but we'll take to-morrow. 25
Is't far you ride?
BANQUO As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
'Twixt this and supper: go not my horse the better,
I must become a borrower of the night
For a dark hour or twain. 30
MACBETH Fail not our feast.
BANQUO My lord, I will not.
MACBETH We hear, our bloody cousins are bestow'd
In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel *parricide, filling their hearers 35
With strange invention: but of that to-morrow,
When therewithal we shall have cause of state
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse: adieu,
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you?
BANQUO Ay, my good lord: our time does call upon 's 40
MACBETH I wish your horses swift and sure of foot;
And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewell.
[Exit BANQUO]
Let every man be master of his time
Till seven at night: to make society
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself 45
Till supper-time alone: while then, God be with you!
[Exeunt all but MACBETH, and an attendant]
Sirrah, a word with you: attend those men
Our pleasure?
ATTENDANT They are, my lord, without the palace gate.
MACBETH Bring them before us. 50
[Exit Attendant]
To be thus is nothing;
But to be safely thus.--Our fears in Banquo
Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature
Reigns that which would be fear'd: 'tis much he dares;
And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, 55
He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour
To act in safety. There is none but he
Whose being I do fear: and, under him,
My Genius is rebuked; as, it is said,
Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters 60
When first they put the name of king upon me,
And bade them speak to him: then prophet-like
They hail'd him father to a line of kings:
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown,
And put a barren sceptre in my gripe, 65
Thence to be wrench'd with an unlineal hand,
No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so,
For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd;
Put rancours in the vessel of my peace 70
Only for them; and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come fate into the list.
And champion me to the utterance! Who's there! 75
[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]
Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.
[Exit Attendant]
Was it not yesterday we spoke together?
Murderer It was, so please your highness.
MACBETH Well then, now
Have you consider'd of my speeches? Know 80
That it was he in the times past which held you
So under fortune, which you thought had been
Our innocent self: this I made good to you
In our last conference, pass'd in probation with you,
How you were borne in hand, how cross'd, 85
the instruments,
Who wrought with them, and all things else that might
To half a soul and to a notion crazed
Say 'Thus did Banquo.'
First Murderer You made it known to us. 90
MACBETH I did so, and went further, which is now
Our point of second meeting. Do you find
Your patience so predominant in your nature
That you can let this go? Are you so gospell'd
To pray for this good man and for his issue, 95
Whose heavy hand hath bow'd you to the grave
And beggar'd yours for ever?
First Murderer We are men, my liege.
MACBETH Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men;
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, 100
Shoughs, water-rugs and demi-wolves, are clept
All by the name of dogs: the valued file
Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature 105
Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive
Particular addition. from the bill
That writes them all alike: and so of men.
Now, if you have a station in the file,
Not i' the worst rank of manhood, say 't; 110
And I will put that business in your *bosoms,
Whose execution takes your enemy off,
Grapples you to the heart and love of us,
Who wear our health but sickly in his life,
Which in his death were perfect. 115
Second Murderer I am one, my liege,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
Have so incensed that I am reckless what
I do to spite the world.
First Murderer And I another 120
So weary with disasters, tugg'd with fortune,
That I would set my lie on any chance,
To mend it, or be rid on't.
MACBETH Both of you
Know Banquo was your enemy. 125
Both Murderers True, my lord.
MACBETH So is he mine; and in such bloody distance,
That every minute of his being thrusts
Against my near'st of life: and though I could
With barefaced power sweep him from my sight 130
And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
For certain friends that are both his and mine,
Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall
Who I myself struck down; and thence it is,
That I to your assistance do make love, 135
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.
Second Murderer We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
First Murderer Though our lives-- 140
MACBETH Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most
I will advise you where to plant yourselves;
Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,
The moment on't; for't must be done to-night,
And something from the palace; always thought 145
That I require a clearness: and with him--
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work--
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than is his father's, must embrace the fate 150
Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart:
I'll come to you anon.
Both Murderers We are resolved, my lord.
MACBETH I'll call upon you straight: abide within.
[Exeunt Murderers]
It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight, 155
If it find heaven, must find it out to-night.
[Exit]
Scene Three
Deaths: N/A
Summary: Macbetha and Lady enter. Lady Macbeth asks if Baquo is coming for dinner. It is comfirmed that he is by an attendant. Macbeth enters looking gruff and /crappy/. Lady Macbeth tells him what's done is done. Macbeth says that they have only started to find peace, and they are not yet in the clear, because Banquo, with his nobility will speak against Macbeth if he is proven guilty. Macbeth re-interates that he has murdered sleep. "In the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly; better be with the dead." (III.ii.18-9) This passage also suggests that the dead are more peaceful than the living, and perhaps this may be Macbeth tryin to justify killing his friend. Lady suggests cleaning upp to be ready for the ball, and ready to put on good face for the night. macbeth tells Lady that "O full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife." because his main threat Banquo and his son Fleance lives on. Macbeth hints about his dark plans to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is oblivious to the plans and wishes to know more, but Macbeth refuses, saying it is to evil a topic to discuss with a women, which is ironic, considering she was the instigator of Macbeths first murder.
Definitions:
*Visards: Mask of Protection
Important quotes:
Literacy Devices: Irony, Appearance v.s Reality
Questions:
-
what are Lady Macbeth's concerns about Macbeth's recent behaviour? Why should she be concerned about this?
-
Why doesn't Macbeth telll Lady Macbeth about his plans for Banquo and Fleance?
-
"O full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife." (III.ii.37) What does this mean?
The palace.
[Enter LADY MACBETH and a Servant]
LADY MACBETH Is Banquo gone from court?
Servant Ay, madam, but returns again to-night.
LADY MACBETH Say to the king, I would attend his leisure
For a few words.
Servant Madam, I will.
[Exit]
LADY MACBETH Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content:
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
[Enter MACBETH]
How now, my lord! why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died 10
With them they think on? Things without all remedy
Should be without regard: what's done is done.
MACBETH We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it:
She'll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice
Remains in danger of her former tooth.
But let the frame of things disjoint, both the
worlds suffer,
Ere we will eat our meal in fear and sleep
In the affliction of these terrible dreams
That shake us nightly: better be with the dead,
Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, 20
Than on the torture of the mind to lie
In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave;
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;
Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing,
Can touch him further.
LADY MACBETH Come on;
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;
Be bright and jovial among your guests to-night.
MACBETH So shall I, love; and so, I pray, be you:
Let your remembrance apply to Banquo; 30
Present him eminence, both with eye and tongue:
Unsafe the while, that we
Must lave our honours in these flattering streams,
And make our faces *vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
LADY MACBETH You must leave this.
MACBETH O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives.
LADY MACBETH But in them nature's copy's not eterne.
MACBETH There's comfort yet; they are assailable;
Then be thou jocund: ere the bat hath flown 40
His cloister'd flight, ere to black Hecate's summons
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums
Hath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
A deed of dreadful note.
LADY MACBETH What's to be done?
MACBETH Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day;
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond
Which keeps me pale! Light thickens; and the crow 50
Makes wing to the rooky wood:
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
While night's black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvell'st at my words: but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So, prithee, go with me.
[Exeunt]
Scene Four
Characters Introduced: Third Murderer
Deaths: Banquo
Summary: The Murderers are camping out on the side of the road waiting for Banquo and Fleance's arrival.Banquo asks for light, and following this the murderers attack and battle with Banquo, and then kill him. before his death he yells at Fleance to flee and quote "O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou mayst revenge. O slave!" Fleacnce escapes. the Murderers realize this, do nothing, and decide to tell Macbeth what had happened.
Important quotes:
Literacy Devices: Pathetic Fallacy
Questions:
-
Why is this scene the turning point in the play for Macbeth?
A park near the palace.
[Enter Three Murderers]
First Murderer But who did bid thee join with us?
Third Murderer Macbeth.
Second Murderer He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers
Our offices and what we have to do
To the direction just.
First Murderer Then stand with us.
The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day:
Now spurs the lated traveller apace
To gain the timely inn; and near approaches
The subject of our watch.
Third Murderer Hark! I hear horses.
BANQUO [Within] Give us a light there, ho!
Second Murderer Then 'tis he: the rest
That are within the note of expectation 10
Already are i' the court.
First Murderer His horses go about.
Third Murderer Almost a mile: but he does usually,
So all men do, from hence to the palace gate
Make it their walk.
Second Murderer A light, a light!
[Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE with a torch]
Third Murderer 'Tis he.
First Murderer Stand to't.
BANQUO It will be rain to-night.
First Murderer Let it come down.
[They set upon BANQUO]
BANQUO O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!
Thou mayst revenge. O slave!
[Dies. FLEANCE escapes]
Third Murderer Who did strike out the light?
First Murderer Wast not the way?
Third Murderer There's but one down; the son is fled.
Second Murderer We have lost
Best half of our affair. 20
First Murderer Well, let's away, and say how much is done.
[Exeunt]
Scene Five
Scene Six
The same. A hall in the palace.
[ A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX, Lords, and Attendants ]
MACBETH You know your own degrees; sit down: at first
And last the hearty welcome.
Lords Thanks to your majesty.
MACBETH Ourself will mingle with society,
And play the humble host.
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time
We will require her welcome.
LADY MACBETH Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends;
For my heart speaks they are welcome.
[First Murderer appears at the door]
MACBETH See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks.
Both sides are even: here I'll sit i' the midst: 10
Be large in mirth; anon we'll drink a measure
The table round.
[Approaching the door]
There's blood on thy face.
First Murderer 'Tis Banquo's then.
MACBETH 'Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatch'd?
First Murderer My lord, his throat is cut; that I did for him.
MACBETH Thou art the best o' the cut-throats: yet he's good
That did the like for Fleance: if thou didst it,
Thou art the nonpareil.
First Murderer Most royal sir,
Fleance is 'scaped. 20
MACBETH Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect,
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air:
But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears. But Banquo's safe?
First Murderer Ay, my good lord: safe in a ditch he bides,
With twenty trenched gashes on his head;
The least a death to nature.
MACBETH Thanks for that:
There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled
Hath nature that in time will venom breed, 30
No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow
We'll hear, ourselves, again.
[Exit Murderer]
LADY MACBETH My royal lord,
You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold
That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making,
'Tis given with welcome: to feed were best at home;
From thence the sauce to meat is ceremony;
Meeting were bare without it.
MACBETH Sweet remembrancer!
Now, good digestion wait on appetite,
And health on both!
LENNOX May't please your highness sit.
[ The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH's place ]
MACBETH Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, 40
Were the graced person of our Banquo present;
Who may I rather challenge for unkindness
Than pity for mischance!
ROSS His absence, sir,
Lays blame upon his promise. Please't your highness
To grace us with your royal company.
MACBETH The table's full.
LENNOX Here is a place reserved, sir.
MACBETH Where?
LENNOX Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness?
MACBETH Which of you have done this?
Lords What, my good lord?
MACBETH Thou canst not say I did it: never shake 50
Thy gory locks at me.
ROSS Gentlemen, rise: his highness is not well.
LADY MACBETH Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,
And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat;
The fit is momentary; upon a thought
He will again be well: if much you note him,
You shall offend him and extend his passion:
Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?
MACBETH Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appal the devil.
LADY MACBETH O proper stuff! 60
This is the very painting of your fear:
This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said,
Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts,
Impostors to true fear, would well become
A woman's story at a winter's fire,
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!
Why do you make such faces? When all's done,
You look but on a stool.
MACBETH Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo!
how say you?
Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. 70
If charnel-houses and our graves must send
Those that we bury back, our monuments
Shall be the maws of kites.
[GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes]
LADY MACBETH What, quite unmann'd in folly?
MACBETH If I stand here, I saw him.
LADY MACBETH Fie, for shame!
MACBETH Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time,
Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal;
Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd
Too terrible for the ear: the times have been,
That, when the brains were out, the man would die,
And there an end; but now they rise again, 80
With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,
And push us from our stools: this is more strange
Than such a murder is.
LADY MACBETH My worthy lord,
Your noble friends do lack you.
MACBETH I do forget.
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends,
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing
To those that know me. Come, love and health to all;
Then I'll sit down. Give me some wine; fill full.
I drink to the general joy o' the whole table,
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss; 90
Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst,
And all to all.
Lords Our duties, and the pledge.
[Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO]
MACBETH Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!
Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which thou dost glare with!
LADY MACBETH Think of this, good peers,
But as a thing of custom: 'tis no other;
Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.
MACBETH What man dare, I dare:
Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, 100
The arm'd rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger;
Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves
Shall never tremble: or be alive again,
And dare me to the desert with thy sword;
If trembling I inhabit then, protest me
The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!
Unreal mockery, hence!
[GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes]
Why, so: being gone,
I am a man again. Pray you, sit still.
LADY MACBETH You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting,
With most admired disorder.
MACBETH Can such things be, 110
And overcome us like a summer's cloud,
Without our special wonder? You make me strange
Even to the disposition that I owe,
When now I think you can behold such sights,
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks,
When mine is blanched with fear.
ROSS What sights, my lord?
LADY MACBETH I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;
Question enrages him. At once, good night:
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.
LENNOX Good night; and better health 120
Attend his majesty!
LADY MACBETH A kind good night to all!
[Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH]
MACBETH It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood:
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;
Augurs and understood relations have
By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth
The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?
LADY MACBETH Almost at odds with morning, which is which.
MACBETH How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person
At our great bidding?
LADY MACBETH Did you send to him, sir?
MACBETH I hear it by the way; but I will send: 130
There's not a one of them but in his house
I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,
And betimes I will, to the weird sisters:
More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know,
By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er:
Strange things I have in head, that will to hand;
Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd. 140
LADY MACBETH You lack the season of all natures, sleep.
MACBETH Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use:
We are yet but young in deed.
[Exeunt]
Deaths: N/A
Summary: Macbeth is hosting the feast in the palace, all of the lords, ladies and noblemen attend, except Banquo. Macbeth is about to start the dinner when the first murderer enters the room. Macbeth goes aside to talk to the murderer who has blood on his face. The first murderer reports that Banquo is dead, that his throat is cut. Macbeth isrelieved, then he asks about Fleance. The murderer reports that Fleance has escaped the scene. Macbeth falls into a new state of fear, and he tells the first murderer that he is happy that Banquo is dead, but horrified that Fleance is not. Macbeth states that he is confined by his fear once more. Lady Macbeth interjects into the conversation, stating that everyone is waiting to eat, since he has not given the toast. everyone is watching the conversation. Macbeth tells the murderer to leave, and in his toast tells that Banquo is tardy, making joke of his absence. Macbeth is ready to take his seat at the table when he notices banqup has taken his seat. Lennox urges Macbeth to sit, but Macbeth is fearful and states that the table is full. only Macbeth can see the ghost. Banquo's ghost does not speak throught his time there. Macbeth starts yelling at the apparition, which to everyone else is an empty chair. Lady macbeth tries to smooth things over by telling the guests that he has had many fits like this before and has since he was young. the ghost dissapears and macbeth settles back into reality, trying to play along with what Lady Macbeth had said, also asking for wine. Quickly, Banquo's ghost returns shocking Macbeth as he falls into another fit of yelling, cursing at banquo and telling him that his blood is cold and that he should not be here. Lady Macbeth ends the dinner, telling all to leave, for fear that he may say something about him murdering Ducan. The ghost leaves again and Lady Macbeth scoulds Macbeth for ruining a good night and almost telling all about the murder they had orchastrated. Macbeth is confused as to why only he can see Banquo. Lady Macbeth asks about Macduff, who did not come to the dinner, she suggests inviting him personally to come forth. Macbeth agrees. he also plans to meet the Weird sisters once more.They leave to sleep, because Lady Macbeth is concerned about his sanity, and so is Macbeth.
Definitions:
Literacy devices:
Important quotes:
Questions:
-
On page 108, shakespeare uses alliteration. quote his use of this literacy device. (look at important quotes to find answer)
-
Explain the metaphor of the snake. Is it implicit or explicate? why?
-
Scene 4 is supposed to be Macbeth's corontion banquet. when Banquo's ghost appears, itis a huge crisis for Macbeth. Why?
-
Why didn't anyone else see the ghost? Was it really there? why?
-
Think of yourself as one of the lords at the table. Briefly describe what you observe. What would you report to another nobleperson who heard abou this?
-
what do you thin is the state of Macbeths mind at ths time?
-
Why do you think Macbeth decides to go back to " the weird sisters?
A heath.
[Thunder. Enter the three Witches meeting Hecate]
First Witch Why, how now, *Hecate! you look angerly.
Hecate Have I not reason, beldams as you are,
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death;
And I, the mistress of your charms,
The close contriver of all harms,
Was never call'd to bear my part,
Or show the glory of our art?
And, which is worse, all you have done 10
Hath been but for a wayward son,
Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do,
Loves for his own ends, not for you.
But make amends now: get you gone,
And at the pit of *Acheron
Meet me i' the morning: thither he
Will come to know his destiny:
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and every thing beside.
I am for the air; this night I'll spend 20
Unto a dismal and a fatal end:
Great business must be wrought ere noon:
Upon the corner of the moon
There hangs a vaporous drop profound;
I'll catch it ere it come to ground:
And that distill'd by magic sleights
Shall raise such artificial sprites
As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion:
He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear 30
He hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear:
And you all know, security
Is mortals' chiefest enemy.
[ Music and a song within: 'Come away, come away,' &c ]
Hark! I am call'd; my little spirit, see,
Sits in a foggy cloud, and stays for me.
[Exit]
First Witch Come, let's make haste; she'll soon be back again.
[Exeunt]
Characters Introduced: Hecate
Deaths: N/A
Summary: Hecate enters angrily, and tells the three witches that she is terribly upset with them because they have gone ahead and messed around with Macbeth without her. She makes a point of telling them that next time she will be with them when they greet Macbeth. She is called away by spirits, and she exits. The first witch tells the others to get ready for MAcbeth, as Hecate will be back soon.
Definitions:
*Hecate: The Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, ghosts and magic.
* Acheron: A river in Greece.
Literacy devices: Allusion
Important quotes:
Questions:
-
What is the significance of scene five for Macbeth, and for the audience? (Comedic relief, tension relief.)
Forres. The palace.
[Enter LENNOX and another Lord]
LENNOX My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Which can interpret further: only, I say,
Things have been strangely borne. The
gracious Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;
Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,
For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? damned fact! 10
How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear,
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;
For 'twould have anger'd any heart alive
To hear the men deny't. So that, I say,
He has borne all things well: and I do think
That had he Duncan's sons under his key--
As, an't please heaven, he shall not--they should find
What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance. 20
But, peace! for from broad words and 'cause he fail'd
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear
Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?
Lord The son of Duncan,
From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth
Lives in the English court, and is received
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect: thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king, upon his aid 30
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward:
That, by the help of these--with Him above
To ratify the work--we may again
Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,
Do faithful homage and receive free honours:
All which we pine for now: and this report
Hath so exasperate the king that he
Prepares for some attempt of war.
LENNOX Sent he to Macduff?
Lord He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,' 40
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer.'
LENNOX And that well might
Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
Fly to the court of England and unfold
His message ere he come, that a swift blessing
May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursed!
LordI'll send my prayers with him.
[Exeunt]
Characters Introduced: Lord
Deaths: N/A
Summary: Lennox pours over his love and belief in Macbeth. He says that it is imposible to think that Macbeth could do such hard to a king, and that it must have been Malcolm and Donalbain, the "bloody cousins." He also states that Fleance killed his father, and the proof being that he has fled. Lennox also asks if the rumours about Macduff are true, that he "lives in disgrace." the Lord confrms taht Malcolm is in England, and that he is being treated well by good king Edward. Edward wants to ain Malcolm in returning tohis throne. The lord also states that Macduff has fled to England aswell, by making a bold statement to Macbeth that he will not attend him.
Important quotes:
Questions:
-
How does scene six expose the way that the people of scotland are viewing Macbeth's actions? How does this scene also help advance the predictions of the witches?
-
what is Macduff doing in England?