MACBETH & LADY MACBETH

Speech
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Words + Pronunciation
Arden 3 | 2006

Mewling: To cry out or whine (O.E.D). to wail almost like a kitten (Arden)

Ballad: A light song that is typically romantic in nature (O.E.D)

Pard: To be or be like a panther or leopard (Crystal) A leopard (Arden)

Quarrel: some dispute or hostility, a complaint against another person (O.E.D)

Bubble Reputation:  Fame and pride that is as fragile and fleeting as a bubble(No Fear Shakespeare)

Justice: An officer of the court or a Judge (O.E.D)

Fair: Nice or well. In context it means well fed. (No Fear Shakespeare) With Justice or honesty (O.E.D)

Capon: A corrupt justice who takes bribes (O.E.D) A castrated cock, a fat chicken to eat (Arden)

Wise saws: Wise words or phrases (No Fear Shakespeare) Sage sayings (Arden)

Modern instances: Relevant and recent information (No Fear Shakespeare) Recent or new arguments, used in a legal case (Arden)

Lean: Alight, poor and gaunt (Crystal)

Slippered: well worn or shoddy (O.E.D)

Pantaloon: The clothes of an old man (Crystal) Baggy trousers worn by old men over their emaciated legs (Arden)

Pouch: A money bag or purse (Crystal)

Hose: A pair of pants (Crystal)

A World: Much (Arden) by a great deal, infinitely, vastly. (O.E.D)

Shrunk: To wither or shrivel (O.E.D)

Shank: Legs (Crystal)

Treble: Multiplied by three time (Crystal) The high pitched voice of a child (Arden)

Pipes: Voice (Crystal)

Whistles: To become quiet or whisper (Crystal) The indistinct articulation of children (Arden)

Mere: Total (Arden) Undiluted (O.E.D)

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Pronunciation+

——————–All the world’s a stage, [140]
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms; [145]
Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school; and then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow; then a soldier, [150]
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth; and then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined, [155]
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, [160]
His youthful hose well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history, [165]
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Re-enter ORLANDO, with ADAM

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Translation
No Fear Shakespeare

Hautboys play. The stage is lit by torches. A butler enters, and various servants carry utensils and dishes of food across the stage. Then MACBETH enters.

MACBETH
If this business would really be finished when I did the deed, then it would be best to get it over with quickly. If the assassination of the king could work like a net, sweeping up everything and preventing any consequences, then the murder would be the be-all and end-all of the whole affair, and I would gladly put my soul and the afterlife at risk to do it. But for crimes like these there are still punishments in this world. By committing violent crimes we only teach other people to commit violence, and the violence of our students will come back to plague us teachers. Justice, being equal to everyone, forces us to drink from the poisoned cup that we serve to others. The king trusts me in two ways. First of all, I am his kinsman and his subject, so I should always try to protect him. Second, I am his host, so I should be closing the door in his murderer’s face, not trying to murder him myself. Besides, Duncan has been such a humble leader, so free of corruption, that his virtuous legacy will speak for him when he dies, as if angels were playing trumpets against the injustice of his murder. Pity, like an innocent newborn baby, will ride the wind with winged angels on invisible horses through the air to spread news of the horrible deed to everyone everywhere. People will shed a flood of tears that will drown the wind like a horrible downpour of rain. I can’t spur myself to action. The only thing motivating me is ambition, which makes people rush ahead of themselves toward disaster.

Top

Assonance
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Alliteration
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Consonance
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Thoughts
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Thought Count
Arden 3 | 2006

Thoughts |TBD

Short: 2 | 5
Medium: 2 | 5
Long: 2 | 1
Total: 5 | 11

Complex: 2 | 2,6

End-stopped: 2 | 6
Mid-line: 3 | 5

Periods: 5
Exclamations: 0
Questions: 0
Unfinished: 0

Top

Rhythm
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Pacing
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Beats
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Rhetoric
Arden 3 | 2006

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top

Scene
Arden 3 | 2006 | 215-233

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage.

Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH
If it were done, when ’tis done, then ’twere well
It were done quickly. If th’assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease, success: that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all, here, [5]
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases,
We still have judgement here, that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which being taught, return
To plague th’inventor. This even-handed justice [10]
Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips. He’s here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman, and his subject,
Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, [15]
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off; [20]
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur [25]
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’er-leaps itself,
And falls on th’other.

(Enter Lady.)

MACBETH
———————How now? What news?

LADY
He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber?

MACBETH
Hath he asked for me? [30]

LADY
————————Know you not, he has?

MACBETH
We will proceed no further in this business:
He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought
Golden opinions from all sorts of people,
Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,
Not cast aside so soon. [35]

LADY
————————-Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now to look so green and pale,
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeared
To be the same in thine own act and valour, [40]
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting ‘I dare not’, wait upon ‘I would’,
Like the poor cat i’th’ adage? [45]

MACBETH
——————————Prithee, peace.
I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more, is none.

LADY
——————————What beast was’t then
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And to be more than what you were, you would [50]
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know
How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: [55]
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have plucked the nipple from his boneless gums,
And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn
As you have done to this.

MACBETH
————————–If we should fail?
LADY
We fail? [60]
But screw your courage to the sticking place,
And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince, [65]
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lies as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon [70]
Th’unguarded Duncan? What not put upon
His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?

MACBETH
——————–Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be received, [75]
When we have marked with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and used their very daggers,
That they have done’t?

LADY
————————Who dares receive it other,
As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar,
Upon his death? [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.

(Exeunt.)

Top