Dramatis Personae That most harrowing band of players The English Class in Performance does with much fear

and trembling present the most terrifying and supernatural tragedy of Macbeth: Ambitious warrior; Scottish lord; Thane of Glamis. (Props a sword, two bloody daggers, fa!e blood for his hands" Lady Macbeth: #acbeth$s scheming wife. (Props letter, fa!e blood for her hands" The Three Witches (Props a pilot$s thumb, a cauldron, various unspea!able things to throw into the cauldron" Duncan: %ind and cheerful !ing of Scotland. (Props a crown, which #acbeth will wear later" Malcolm: Gentle prince of Scotland, &uncan$s son. Donalbain: Also &uncan$s son. Banquo: #acbeth$s noble friend. (Props a sword; also a crown, a mirror and a robe for when he comes on as part of the witches$ vision" Fleance: 'an(uo$s son. (Props a torch or lantern" MacDuff: )onourable Scottish lord; Thane of *ife. (Props a sword, #acbeth$s severed head for the final scene" Lady MacDuff: #ac&uff$s wife. MacDuffs Son The Three Murderers: )ired by #acbeth. (Props swords or !nives" The Porter: A servant at #acbeth$s castle. (Props optional bottle of alcohol" Lennox: A Scottish lord. oss: A Scottish lord. !n"us: A Scottish lord. Si#ard: An +nglish lord. $oun" Si#ard: )is son.(Props a sword" Seyton: #acbeth$s servant. (Props #acbeth$s armour" Messen"er: in #acbeth$s employ. Ser"eant: a soldier in &uncan$s army (Props blood,in-ury".

Macbeth
the tyrant of Scotland, penned by that very laudable playwright Master William Shakespeare and edited by the degenerate rapscallion Shawn Peters.

Doctor: .ady #acbeth$s doctor. Waitin"%"entle#oman: A maid to .ady #acbeth. The Three !&&aritions: Spirits con-ured by the witches. (Props the first needs a helmet or other soldier accoutrements; the second needs blood smeared on its face; the third needs a crown and a branch" (/ther props the lords and #alcolm should be armed in the final scenes when they are attac!ing #acbeth$s castle; also, a bell to be rung offstage before &uncan$s murder" Sta"in": The bac! of the stage, or a bac! corner, should be !ept dar!. The witches, spirits and ghosts may retreat into this dar! and become invisible to the other characters on stage. Doublin": 0an double the Sergeant with the Porter and,or Angus. 0an double the murderers with the apparitions. The witches can double as anyone but #acbeth, 'an(uo, and the apparitions.

!'T (
S')*) (+ ! desert &lace+
Th"n!er an! lightning. Enter three Witches First Witch 1hen shall we three meet again in thunder, lightning, or in rain2 Second Witch 1hen the hurlyburly3s done, when the battle3s lost and won. Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun. First Witch 1here the place2 Second Witch 4pon the heath. Third Witch There to meet with #acbeth. !LL $chanting% as if casting a spell& *air is foul, and foul is fair hover through the fog and filthy air. E'e"nt

This work is copyright Shawn Peters 2008. It may not e altere! or "se! for commercial p"rposes witho"t his permission. Photocopies may e ma!e for "se in performance or st"!y. #ast "p!ate! May 2008

S')*) ((+ ! cam& near Forres+

Enter ()*C+*% M+#C,#M% (,*+#-+I*% #E**,.. + wo"n!e! sergeant enters from the opposite si!e. #enno' r"ns to assist him. D,*'!* 1hat bloody man is that2

M!L'-LM This is the sergeant. Say to the !ing the !nowledge of the broil as thou didst leave it. Ser"eant $panting an! in pain& &oubtful it stood. The merciless #acdonwald55 worthy to be a rebel, for to that the multiplying villanies of nature do swarm upon him55from the western isles is supplied. And *ortune, on his damned (uarrel smiling, show3d li!e a rebel3s whore. 'ut all3s too wea!, for brave #acbeth, disdaining fortune, with his brandish3d steel which smo!ed with bloody e6ecution, li!e valour3s minion carved out his passage till he faced the slave and unseam3d him from the nave to the chaps. D,*'!* / valiant cousin7 Ser"eant $interr"pting& #ar!, !ing of Scotland, mar! no sooner -ustice had with valour arm3d compell3d these s!ipping !erns to trust their heels, but the 8orweyan lord, surveying vantage, began a fresh assault. D,*'!* &ismay3d not this our captains, #acbeth and 'an(uo2 Ser"eant 9es; as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. :f : say sooth, : must report they were as cannons overcharged with double crac!s, so they doubly redoubled stro!es upon the foe; $e'ha"ste!& 'ut : am faint, my gashes cry for help. D,*'!*: $to #enno'& Go get him surgeons. #enno' lea!s the sergeant o"t. Enter /,SS% who kneels efore the king..

-SS God save the !ing7 D,*'!* 1hence camest thou, worthy thane2 -SS *rom *ife, great !ing; 1here the 8orweyan banners flout the s!y and fan our people cold. 8orway himself, with terrible numbers, assisted by that most disloyal traitor the thane of 0awdor, began a dismal conflict, till that 'ellona3s bridegroom confronted him point against point rebellious, arm 3gainst arm, curbing his lavish spirit and, to conclude, the victory fell on us. D,*'!*: Great happiness7 8o more that Thane of 0awdor shall deceive our bosom interest. $to /oss& Go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet #acbeth. -SS :3ll see it done. D,*'!* 1hat he hath lost noble #acbeth hath won. E'e"nt

S')*) (((+ ! heath near Forres+

Th"n!er. Enter the three Witches First Witch 1here hast thou been, sister2 Second Witch %illing swine. Third Witch Sister, where thou2

First Witch A sailor3s wife had chestnuts in her lap, and munch$d and munch$d and munch$d. 3Give me,3 (uoth :. 3Aroint thee, witch73 the rump5fed ronyon cries. The witches gasp. They are all ins"lte! y this treatment% an! !eci!e to p"nish the woman. First Witch: )er husband3s to Aleppo gone, master o3 the Tiger. :n a sieve :$ll thither sail, and li!e a rat without a tail, :$ll do, :$ll do, :$ll do. Second Witch :3ll give thee a wind.

The witches retreat to the ack of the stage% o"t of the main light. Enter M+C-ET1 an! -+*2),. M!'B)T. So foul and fair a day : have not seen. The witches step forwar! an! show themsel3es. Mac eth an! -an4"o are so startle! they almost !raw their swor!s. B!*/,-: 1hat are these, so wither3d and so wild in their attire, that loo! not li!e the inhabitants o3 the earth, and yet are on3t2 M!'B)T. Spea!, if you can what are you2

Third Witch And : another. The witches make a prophecy. First Witch : myself have all the other. Sleep shall neither night nor day hang upon his pent5house lid. )e shall live a man forbid. Though his bar! cannot be lost, yet it shall be tempest5 tost. The Thir! Witch offers the th"m of a sailor to finish the spell. Third Witch )ere : have a pilot3s thumb, wrec!3d as homeward he did come. She places the th"m on the gro"n!. They 0oin han!s in a circle aro"n! it an! chant. !LL The weird sisters, hand in hand, posters of the sea and land, thus do go about, about. Thrice to thine and thrice to mine and thrice again, to ma!e up nine. Second Witch: Peace7 The charm3s wound up. First Witch: All hail, #acbeth7 )ail to thee, thane of Glamis7 Second Witch: All hail, #acbeth. )ail to thee, thane of 0awdor7 Third Witch All hail, #acbeth. Thou shalt be !ing hereafter7 B!*/,-: :f you can loo! into the seeds of time, spea! then to me. First Witch .esser than #acbeth, and greater. Second Witch 8ot so happy, yet much happier. Third Witch Thou shalt get !ings, though thou be none. !LL 'an(uo and #acbeth, all hail7 $they ow% as if to kings&

M!'B)T. : !now : am thane of Glamis, but how of 0awdor2 Say from whence you owe this strange intelligence7 Cackling% the witches step ackwar!s o"t of the light. Mac eth an! -an4"o are again shocke!% eca"se to them% it is as if the witches t"rn in3isi le. B!*/,- 1hither are they vanish3d2 M!'B)T. :nto the air; and what seem3d corporal melted as breath into the wind. +t first% they think it5s a 0oke. M!'B)T.: $sarcastic& 9our children shall be !ings. B!*/,- $sarcastic& 9ou shall e !ing. M!'B)T.: $ch"ckling& And thane of 0awdor too went it not so2 They la"gh. Enter /,SS an! +*6)S B!*/,- 1ho3s here2 -SS The !ing hath happily received, #acbeth, the news of thy success. !*0,S 1e are sent to give thee from our royal master than!s. -SS )e bade me, from him, call thee thane of 0awdor.

M!'B)T. $shocke!& The thane of 0awdor lives. 1hy do you dress me in borrow3d robes2 !*0,S 4nder heavy -udgment bears that life which he deserves to lose. Treasons capital, confess3d and proved, have overthrown him. Mac eth p"lls -an4"o asi!e. B!*/,- $to Mac eth& 1hat, can the devil spea! true2 M!'B)T.: &o you not hope your children shall be !ings2 B!*/,- $warning& 3Tis strange oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of dar!ness tell us truths. -an4"o goes to /oss an! +ng"s an! speaks silently with them. Mac eth wan!ers to the front of the stage to speak an asi!e. M!'B)T.7 $asi!e& 0annot be ill, cannot be good. :f ill, why hath it given me earnest of success2 :f good, why do : yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfi6 my hair2 :f chance will have me !ing, why, chance may crown me, without my stir. Enter ()*C+*% M+#C,#M% (,*+#-+I*% #E**,.. /oss% +ng"s% Mac eth an! -an4"o ow to the king. D,*'!* $Spotting Mac eth& / worthiest cousin7 #ore is thy due than more than all can pay. M!'B)T. The service and the loyalty : owe, in doing it, pays itself.

D,*'!* 8oble 'an(uo, that hast no less deserved, let me enfold thee and hold thee to my heart. ("ncan clasps -an4"o on the sho"l!er% then t"rns to a!!ress all the lor!s. D,*'!* Sons, !insmen, thanes. %now we will establish our estate upon our eldest, #alcolm, whom we name hereafter the Prince of 0umberland. The king an! the lor!s slowly e'it% lea3ing Mac eth alone on stage as he speaks. M!'B)T. $asi!e& The Prince of 0umberland7 That is a step on which : must fall down, or else o3erleap. $to the sky& Stars, hide your fires. .et not light see my blac! and deep desires E'it

Messenger ows an! e'its. L!D$ M!'B)T.: The raven himself is hoarse that croa!s the fatal entrance of &uncan under my battlements. 0ome, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts 55 unse6 me here, fill me from the crown to the toe top5full of direst cruelty7 0ome, thic! night, and pall thee in the dunnest smo!e of hell, that my !een !nife see not the wound it ma!es, nor heaven peep through the blan!et of the dar!, to cry 3)old, hold73 Enter Mac eth. L!D$ M!'B)T.: Great Glamis7 1orthy 0awdor7 Greater than both, by the all5hail hereafter7 M!'B)T. #y dearest love, &uncan comes here to5night. L!D$ M!'B)T.: /, never shall sun that morrow see7 9our face, my thane, is as a boo! where men may read strange matters. To beguile the time, loo! li!e the time; bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue. .oo! li!e the innocent flower, but be the serpent under3t. M!'B)T. $no!!ing& 1e will spea! further. E'e"nt together.

S')*) (1+ (n2erness+ Macbeth3s castle+

Enter #+(8 M+C-ET1% rea!ing a letter L!D$ M!'B)T.: Glamis thou art, and 0awdor; and shalt be what thou art promised. 9et do : fear thy nature. :t is too full o3 the mil! of human !indness to catch the nearest way. Enter a messenger L!D$ M!'B)T.: 1hat is your tidings2 Messen"er: .ady, the !ing come here tonight.

S')*) 1+ Macbeth3s castle+

Enter ()*C+*% M+#C,#M% (,*+#-+I*% -+*2),% #E**,.% M+C()99% /,SS% +*6)S from one si!e% #+(8 M+C-ET1 from the other.

D,*'!*: This castle hath a pleasant seat. $sees #a!y Mac eth& /ur honour3d hostess7 1here3s the thane of 0awdor2 #a!y Mac eth lea!s them offstage to one si!e% while Mac eth comes on ehin! them% an! watches them go. 1e str"ggles with his conscience M!'B)T. )e3s here in double trust. *irst, as : am his !insman and his sub-ect, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the !nife myself. : have no spur to pric! the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition #a!y Mac eth re:enters. M!'B)T. $to #a!y Mac eth& 1e will proceed no further in this business. L!D$ M!'B)T. 1as the hope drun! wherein you dress3d yourself2 Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act as thou art in desire2 M!'B)T. Prithee, peace. : dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none. L!D$ M!'B)T. $goa!ing him& 1hen you durst do it, then you were a man. : have given suc!, and !now how tender 3tis to love the babe that mil!s me. : would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluc!3d my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash3d the brains out, had : so sworn as you have done to this7 M!'B)T. :f we should fail...2

L!D$ M!'B)T. $offen!e! at his weakness& 1e fail7 'ut screw your courage to the stic!ing5place, and we3ll not fail. 1hen &uncan is asleep, his two chamberlains will : with wine and wassail so convince that memory shall be a fume 1hat then cannot you and : perform upon the unguarded &uncan2 M!'B)T. $impresse!& 'ring forth men5children only, for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males. 1ill it not be received, when we have mar!3d with blood those sleepy two and used their very daggers, that they have done3t2 L!D$ M!'B)T. 1ho dares receive it other2 M!'B)T. : am settled. Away, and moc! the time with fairest show. *alse face must hide what the false heart doth !now. #a!y Mac eth no!s an! walks offstage smiling. Mac eth looks o"t a o3e the a"!ience% an! seems to see something ho3ering there. M!'B)T. :s this a dagger which : see before me, the handle toward my hand2 0ome, let me clutch thee. $tries to gra the in3isi le !agger& : have thee not, and yet : see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight2 /r art thou but a dagger of the mind, proceeding from the heat5oppressed brain2 And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood. :t is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes. + ell rings offstage.

M!'B)T.: : go, and it is done; the bell invites me. )ear it not, &uncan; for it is a !nell that summons thee to heaven or to hell. E'it

!'T ((
S')*) (+ 'ourt of Macbeth3s castle+
Enter #+(8 M+C-ET1 L!D$ M!'B)T. )e is about it. The doors are open, and the grooms do moc! their charge with snores : have drugg3d their possets. M!'B)T.: $offstage& 1ho3s there2 L!D$ M!'B)T. $startle!& Alac!, : am afraid they have awa!ed, and 3tis not done. The attempt and not the deed confounds us. : laid their daggers ready; he could not miss 3em. )ad he not resembled my father as he slept, : had done3t. Enter Mac eth% with loo!y han!s% carrying in his left han! two loo!y !aggers. 1e hol!s these low% at his si!e% so that #a!y Mac eth cannot see them yet. M!'B)T. : have done the deed. &idst thou not hear a noise2 L!D$ M!'B)T. : heard the owl scream and the cric!ets cry. Mac eth raises his right han! an! looks "pon the loo!. M!'B)T. $ eginning to panic& This is a sorry sight. L!D$ M!'B)T. A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.

M!'B)T. $panicking& There3s one did laugh in3s sleep, and one cried 3#urder73 /ne cried 3God bless us73 and 3Amen3 the other. : could not say 3Amen.3 1herefore could not : pronounce 3Amen32 : was much in need of blessing. L!D$ M!'B)T. 0onsider it not so deeply. M!'B)T.: #ethought : heard a voice cry 3Sleep no more7 #acbeth does murder sleep. #acbeth shall sleep no more.3 L!D$ M!'B)T. $trying to calm him !own& Go get some water and wash this filthy witness from your hand. She takes his han!s to lea! him away% an! then sees the loo!y !aggers. L!D$ M!'B)T.: $shocke!& 1hy did you bring these daggers from the place2 They must lie there7 M!'B)T. :3ll go no more. L!D$ M!'B)T. :nfirm of purpose7 She snatches the !aggers from him an! r"ns o"t the way Mac eth ha! come in. + lo"! knock offstage. Mac eth is a!ly startle!. M!'B)T. 1hence is that !noc!ing2 $he calms !own a it an! looks at his han!s& /, will all great 8eptune3s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand2 #a!y Mac eth re:enters% witho"t the !aggers% "t with her han!s also co3ere! in loo!. She shows them to Mac eth.

L!D$ M!'B)T. #y hands are of your colour, but : shame to wear a heart so white7 +nother knock. L!D$ M!'B)T.: <etire we to our chamber. A little water clears us of this deed. She takes Mac eth5s han! an! !rags him off. Mac eth sho"ts as he lea3es. M!'B)T. 1a!e &uncan with thy !noc!ing7 : would thou couldst7 E'e"nt.

S')*) ((+ The same+

;nocking within. Enter a Porter Porter %noc!, !noc!, !noc!7 1ho3s there, i3 the name of 'eel=ebub2 $preten!ing to e the hange! farmer% knocking at the !oor& )ere3s a farmer, that hanged himself on the e6pectation of plenty. ;nocking within. Porter: %noc!, !noc!7 1ho3s there, in the other devil3s name2 $preten!ing to e the e4"i3ocator& *aith, here3s an e(uivocator, who committed treason enough for God3s sa!e, yet could not e(uivocate to heaven. ;nocking within.

Porter: %noc!, !noc!; never at (uiet7 6oes to the si!e of the stage an! mimes opening a !oor. M+C()99 an! #E**,. enter from that place. M!'D,FF 1as it so late, friend, ere you went to bed, that you do lie so late2 Porter 3*aith sir, we were carousing, and drin!, sir, is a great provo!er of three things. M!'D,FF $h"mo"ring him& 1hat three things does drin! especially provo!e2 Porter 8ose5painting, sleep, and urine. The Porter la"ghs lo"!ly. Mac!"ff rolls his eyes an! looks impatient. M!'D,FF: :s thy master stirring2 Porter: Thy !noc!ing has awa!ed him. The porter sh"ffles off the way Mac!"ff an! #enno' entere!% an! Mac eth comes in from the opposite si!e% his han!s clean. M!'B)T.: Good morrow, both.

Mac eth escorts Mac!"ff to the opposite si!e the stage $where Mac eth entere!& an! shows him o"t as if thro"gh a !oor. Mac eth remains on stage with #enno'. L)**-4 $making con3ersation& The night has been unruly. 1here we lay, our chimneys were blown down; and, lamentings heard i3 the air; strange screams of death. M!'B)T. 3Twas a rough night. Mac!"ff comes r"nning ack on% cringing with horror. M!'D,FF / horror7 L)**-4: 1hat3s the matter2 M!'D,FF #ost sacrilegious murder hath bro!e open the .ord3s anointed temple7 L)**-4 #ean you his ma-esty2 Mac eth sneaks off:stage towar!s ("ncan5s room as Mac!"ff raises the alarm. M!'D,FF: Awa!e, awa!e7 <ing the alarum5bell. #urder and treason7 Enter -an4"o an! #a!y Mac eth% r"nning at the alarm.

M!'D,FF :s the !ing stirring, worthy thane2 M!'B)T. :3ll bring you to him. M!'D,FF / 'an(uo, 'an(uo7 /ur royal master 3s murder3d7 L!D$ M!'B)T. 1hat, in our house2

B!*/,- Too cruel anywhere. Mac!"ff shares a 4"ick% silent wor! with #enno'% e'plainig what he saw. Enter Malcolm an! (onal ain% the king5s two sons. Mac eth also walks 4"ietly ack on% "nseen. D-*!LB!(*: 1hat is amiss2 M!'D,FF 9our royal father 3s murder3d. L)**-4 Those of his chamber, as it seem3d, had done3t their hands and faces were an badged with blood. So were their daggers. M!'B)T. $preten!ing to e 3ery !istresse!& /, yet : do repent me of my fury, that : did !ill them. M!'D,FF 1herefore did you so2 M!'B)T. )ere lay &uncan, his silver s!in laced with his golden blood; there, the murderers, steep3d in the colours of their trade. 1ho could refrain, that had a heart to love2 #a!y Mac eth starts to ecome ner3o"s that Mac eth might gi3e it away% an! fakes fainting. L!D$ M!'B)T. )elp me hence, ho7 9aints. M!'D,FF: .oo! to the lady.

E3eryone r"ns to help #a!y Mac eth e'cept for Malcolm an! (onal ain. M!L'-LM: $+si!e to (onal ain& #ost may claim this argument for ours. D-*!LB!(* $to Malcolm% no!!ing& .et 3s away. M!L'-LM: :$ll to +ngland. D-*!LB!(*: To :reland, :. The rest carry #a!y Mac eth o"t one way. Malcolm an! (onal ain lea3e y the opposite.

!'T (((
S')*) (+ Forres+ The &alace+
Enter -+*2), B!*/,- Thou hast it now, as the weird women promised, and, : fear thou play3dst most foully for3t. 9et it was said that myself should be the root and father of many !ings... Mac eth walks in% seeming 3ery cheerf"l% with ("ncan5s crown on his hea!. 1e is now king. M!'B)T. )ere3s our chief guest. <ide you this afternoon2 B!*/,- Ay, my good lord. M!'B)T. 1e should have else desired your good advice. *ail not our feast. B!*/,- #y lord, : will not. E'it -an4"o. 1e still seems s"spicio"s of Mac eth% an! Mac eth smiles a little too m"ch. When -an4"o is gone% Mac eth lets his fr"stration show. M!'B)T. To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus7 They hail3d him father to a line of !ings. 4pon my head they placed a fruitless crown. Enter the first two m"r!erers.

M!'B)T.: All of you !now 'an(uo was your enemy. So is he mine. : will put that business in your bosoms, whose e6ecution ta!es your enemy off. First Murderer: 1e shall perform what you command us. M!'B)T.: : will advise you where to plant yourselves, for3t must be done to5night. *leance his son, must also embrace the fate of that dar! hour. Second Murderer: 1e are resolved, my lord. The m"r!erers creep off. #a!y Mac eth enters from the opposite si!e. #a!y Mac eth has grown worrie!% since Mac eth seems to e keeping his plans to himself lately. L!D$ M!'B)T. )ow now, my lord2 1hy do you !eep alone2 1hat3s done is done. M!'B)T. $fr"strate!& 1e have scotch3d the sna!e, not !ill3d it. L!D$ M!'B)T. Gentle my lord, be bright and -ovial among your guests to5night. M!'B)T. /, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife7 Thou !now3st that 'an(uo, and his *leance, lives. L!D$ M!'B)T. And what3s to be done2 M!'B)T. 'e innocent of the !nowledge, dearest chuc!, till thou applaud the deed. Things bad begun ma!e strong themselves by ill.

They e'it together to go to the feast% #a!y Mac eth looking worrie!.

S')*) (((+ ! hall in the &alace+

Enter M+C-ET1% #+(8 M+C-ET1% /,SS% #E**,.% +*6)S. M!'B)T.: $+!ressing his g"ests& 'e large in mirth; anon we3ll drin! a measure the table round. #a!y Mac eth lea!s the g"ests to their places% where they sit in preparation for a feast. ,ne place in the centre is left empty for Mac eth. They talk silently% while Mac eth hea!s to the si!e of the stage farthest from the g"ests. The 9irst M"r!erer enters to meet him an! they talk 4"ietly. M!'B)T.: There3s blood on thy face. First Murderer: 3Tis 'an(uo3s then. M!'B)T.: :s he dispatch3d2 First Murderer: #y lord, his throat is cut M!'B)T.: Thou art the best o3 the cut5throats yet he3s good that did the li!e for *leance. First Murderer: #ost royal sir, *leance is 3scaped. M!'B)T.: $!istresse!& : had else been perfect, but now : am cabin3d to saucy doubts and fears. The lor!s ha3e notice! Mac eth5s a sence. #a!y Mac eth approaches Mac eth to !raw him to !inner. 1e notices her an! 4"ickly !ismisses the m"r!erer.

S')*) ((+ ! &ar5 near the &alace+

Enter all three M"r!erers. They cro"ch !own an! hi!e near the ack of the stage. Third Murderer: )ar!7 : hear horses. B!*/,- $,ffstage& Give us a light there, ho7 Second Murderer 3Tis he. Enter -+*2),% an! 9#E+*CE% with a torch B!*/,- $cas"al con3ersation& :t will be rain to5night. The three m"r!erers 0"mp o"t of hi!ing an! attack -an4"o. First Murderer .et it come down7 B!*/,- /, treachery7 *ly, good *leance, fly7 9leance r"ns ack the way he came while -an4"o hol!s the three m"r!erers at ay. They s"rro"n! him an! kill him. Third Murderer There3s but one down. The son is fled. Second Murderer 1e have lost best half of our affair. E'e"nt

M!'B)T.: $To the m"r!erer& Get thee gone. E'it M"r!erer. L!D$ M!'B)T.: #y royal lord, you do not give the cheer. The 61,ST ,9 -+*2), enters% his face coate! in loo!% an! sits in M+C-ET1<s place. *o one can see him e'cept Mac eth. -SS: Please3t your highness to grace us with your royal company. M!'B)T.: The table3s full L)**-4: $pointing to the ghost& )ere is a place reserved, sir. Mac eth sees the ghost an! points to it% horrifie!. M!'B)T.: $to the lor!s& 1hich of you have done this2 L)**-4: 1hat, my good lord2 M!'B)T.: $to the ghost& 8ever sha!e thy gory loc!s at me7 L!D$ M!'B)T.: Sit, worthy friends my lord is often thus. The fit is momentary. $She p"lls Mac eth away from them an! speaks to him in a whisper& Shame itself7 1hy do you ma!e such faces2 1hen all3s done, you loo! but on a stool. The 61,ST gets "p an! walks to the ack% stan!ing there in3isi le. Mac eth seems to calm !own.

M!'B)T.: :f : stand here, : saw him. L!D$ M!'B)T.: *ie, for shame7 M!'B)T.: The times have been, that, when the brains were out, the man would die. L!D$ M!'B)T.: #y worthy lord, your noble friends do lac! you. Mac eth reco3ers an! t"rns to a!ress the ta le. M!'B)T.: &o not muse at me, my most worthy friends. &rin! to the general -oy o3 the whole table, and to our dear friend 'an(uo, whom we miss. The lor!s raise their c"ps in a toast% an! the 6host steps forwar!% ecoming 3isi le again. M!'B)T.: $panicking% to the ghost& Avaunt and (uit my sight7 )ence, horrible shadow7 The lor!s stan! with the intention of helping their king. #a!y Mac eth gest"res for them to stop. L!D$ M!'B)T.: : pray you, spea! not; he grows worse and worse. At once, good night. She p"shes Mac eth to the e!ge of the stage. L)**-4: 'etter health attend his ma-esty. The lor!s% conf"se!% file o"t the other way.

M!'B)T.: $to #a!y Mac eth& : will to5morrow to the weird sisters. #ore shall they spea!. #a!y Mac eth p"shes him offstage.

!'T (1
S')*) (+ ! ca2ern+ (n the middle6 a boilin" cauldron+
Th"n!er. Enter the Three Witches. ,ne carries a ca"l!ron% an! sets it !own in centre:stage. The three gather aro"n! it. They throw things into the ca"l!ron as they speak. First Witch: <ound about the cauldron go. :n, the poison3d entrails throw. !LL: $chanting& &ouble, double toil and trouble. *ire burn, and cauldron bubble. Second Witch: *illet of a fenny sna!e, in the cauldron boil and ba!e. +ye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog. !LL: &ouble, double toil and trouble. *ire burn and cauldron bubble. Third Witch: .iver of blaspheming >ew. Gall of goat, and slips of yew silver3d in the moon3s eclipse. 8ose of Tur! and Tartar3s lips. !LL: &ouble, double toil and trouble. *ire burn and cauldron bubble. Second Witch: 0ool it with a baboon3s blood, then the charm is firm and good.

First Witch: 'y the pric!ing of my thumbs, something wic!ed this way comes. Enter M+C-ET1

The apparition steps ack into the !ark. M!'B)T.: 1hate3er thou art, for thy good caution, than!s. The Secon! +pparition steps forwar!7 a loo!y chil!.

M!'B)T.: 9ou blac! and midnight hags7 1hat is3t you do2 !LL: A deed without a name. M!'B)T.: Answer me to what : as! you. First Witch: Spea!. Second Witch: &emand. Third Witch: 1e3ll answer. First Witch: Say, if thou3dst rather hear it from our mouths, or from our masters$2 Macbeth: 0all $em7 .et me see $em. !LL: $con0"ring the spirits& 0ome, high or low, thyself and office deftly show7 Th"n!er. The apparitions an! the ghost enter at the ack% stan!ing in the !ark. The 9irst +pparition steps forwar!7 an arme! 1ea! or sol!ier. First Witch: )e !nows thy thought. First !&&arition: #acbeth7 'eware #acduff7 'eware the thane of *ife7 Third !&&arition: #acbeth shall never van(uish3d be until great 'irnam wood to high &unsinane hill shall come against him. Thir! +pparition steps ack. M!'B)T.: That will never be. 1ho can bid the tree unfi6 his earth5bound root2 $1e speaks to the weir! sisters& Tell me shall 'an(uo3s issue ever reign in this !ingdom2 !LL: Show7 The 6host of -an4"o steps forwar!% this time !resse! in king5s ro es% with a crown on his hea! an! a mirror in his han!s. M!'B)T.: Thou art too li!e the spirit of 'an(uo, who bears a glass which shows me many more. 8ow, : see, 3tis true7 Second !&&arition: #acbeth7 .augh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm #acbeth. Secon! +pparition steps ack. M!'B)T.: Then live, #acduff. 1hat need : fear of thee2 Thir! +pparition steps forwar!7 a chil! crowne!% with a tree in his han!.

The 6host 3anishes. The witches pick "p their ca"l!ron an! lea3e the stage while Mac eth is watching after the ghost. 1e t"rns aro"n! an! they are gone. M!'B)T.: 1here are they2 :nfected be the air whereon they ride7 1e thinks for a moment a o"t the spirits5 prophecies an! comes to a !ecision M!'B)T.: The castle of #acduff : will surprise, give to the edge o3 the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. E'it. S')*) ((+ Fife+ Macduff3s castle+ Enter #+(8 M+C()99 an! her Son. Mac!"ff has fle! to Englan! to 0oin Malcolm. L!D$ M!'D,FF: $Thinking alo"!& To leave his wife, to leave his babes, his mansion and his titles in a place from whence himself does fly2 $She speaks to her son&. )ow wilt thou do for a father2 Son: 8ay, how will you do for a husband2 L!D$ M!'D,FF: 1hy, : can buy me twenty at any mar!et. Son Then you3ll buy 3em to sell again.

L!D$ M!'D,FF Thou spea!3st with all thy wit and yet, i3 faith, with wit enough for thee. Son: $sa!ly& 1as my father a traitor, mother2 L!D$ M!'D,FF: Ay, that he was. The three m"r!erers r"n onstage with kni3es in their han!s. #a!y Mac!"ff stan!s an! hi!es her son ehin! her. First Murderer: 1here is your husband2 Second Murderer: )e3s a traitor. Son: Thou liest, thou shag5hair3d villain7 The Son r"ns at the 9irst M"r!erer an! attacks him. First Murderer: 9oung fry of treachery7 The m"r!erer sta s him an! throws him to the gro"n!. Son: )e has !illed me, mother7 The son !ies. #a!y Mac!"ff r"ns off screaming% away from the m"r!erers. They follow her off. The screaming stops a r"ptly.

S')*) (((+ )n"land+ Before the 7in"3s &alace+

Enter M+#C,#M an! M+C()99 M!'D,FF: 8ot in all the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damn3d in evils to top #acbeth.

M!L'-LM: /ld Siward, with ten thousand warli!e men, already was setting forth. 8ow we3ll together. M!'D,FF: Such welcome and unwelcome things at once.

M!'D,FF: : shall do so, but : must also feel it as a man. &id heaven loo! on, and would not ta!e their part2 Sinful #acduff7 They were all struc! for thee7 M!L'-LM: .et grief convert to anger7

Enter /,SS% looking sa!. M!'D,FF: Stands Scotland where it did2 -SS: Alas, poor country, almost afraid to !now itself. M!L'-LM: 1hat3s the newest grief2 -SS: +ach minute teems a new one. $to Mac!"ff& 9our castle is surprised; your wife and babes savagely slaughter3d. M!L'-LM: #erciful heaven7 M!'D,FF: $shocke!& #y children too2 -SS: 1ife, children, servants, all that could be found. M!'D,FF: $weeping& And : must be from thence7 #y wife !ill3d too2 M!L'-LM: 'e comforted let3s ma!e us medicines of our great revenge, to cure this deadly grief. M!'D,FF )e has no children. $to /oss& All my pretty ones2 1hat, all my pretty chic!ens and their dam at one fell swoop2 M!L'-LM: $trying to ro"se him& &ispute it li!e a man7 M!'D,FF: $ro"sing his f"ry% wiping his eyes& /, : could play the woman with mine eyes7 Gentle heavens, bring thou this fiend of Scotland within my sword3s length7 M!L'-LM: 0ome7 #acbeth is ripe for sha!ing. E'e"nt.

!'T 1
S')*) (+ Dunsinane+ !nte%room in the castle+
Enter a (octor an! a Waiting:6entlewoman Doctor: 1hen was it she last wal!ed2 0entle#oman: Since his ma-esty went into the field, : have seen her rise from her bed, ta!e forth paper, write upon3t, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep. Doctor: A great perturbation in nature. Enter #a!y Mac eth% eyes open "t sleepwalking. 0entle#oman: .o you, here she comes7 #a!y Mac eth wan!ers to centre:stage as the (octor an! 6entlewoman watch. She stops an! stares at her han!s. L!D$ M!'B)T.: 9et here3s a spot. Doctor: )ar!7 She spea!s7 #a!y Mac eth egins to mime the action of scr" ing an! washing her han!s. Memories come to her of the !ee!s she has participate! in. L!D$ M!'B)T.: $!istresse!& /ut, damned spot7 /ut, : say7 $pa"se% now scheming& 1hat need we fear who !nows it, when none can call our power to account2 $pa"se% now horrifie!& 9et who would have thought the old man to have

had so much blood in him2 $pa"se% sa!& The thane of *ife had a wife where is she now2 $pa"se% frightene!% looking at her han!& All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand7 Doctor: This disease is beyond my practise. L!D$ M!'B)T.: $fr"strate!& : tell you yet again, 'an(uo3s buried. )e cannot come out on3s grave. $pa"se% frantic& To bed, to bed7 There3s !noc!ing at the gate7 She r"ns off. Doctor: #ore needs she the divine than the physician7 E'it (octor an! 6entlewoman% the opposite way. S')*) ((+ Dunsinane+ ! room in the castle+ Enter M+C-ET1% #a!y Mac eth5s (octor% an! Seyton% Mac eth5s ser3ant% carrying armo"r. M!'B)T.: 'ring me no more reports. Till 'irnam wood remove to &unsinane, : cannot taint with fear. S)$T-*: There is ten thousand55 M!'B)T.: Geese, villain7 S)$T-*: Soldiers, sir. The +nglish force, so please you. M!'B)T.: :3ll fight till from my bones my flesh be hac!3d. Give me my armour. )ang those that tal! of fear.

Seyton egins to p"t Mac eth5s armo"r on. Mac eth a!resses the (octor. M!'B)T.: )ow does your patient, doctor2 Doctor: She is troubled with thic!5coming fancies that !eep her from her rest. M!'B)T.: 0ure her of that. 0anst thou not minister to a mind diseased2 Doctor: Therein the patient must minister to herself.

!*0,S: The wood of 'irnam. M!L'-LM: .et every soldier hew him down a bough and bear3t before him thereby shall we shadow the numbers of our host. S(W! D: 1e learn no other but the confident tyrant !eeps still in &unsinane. M!'D,FF: .et our -ust censures attend the true event, and put we on industrious soldiership. 1e lea!s them off the opposite way.

Mac eth wa3es his han!% !ismissing the !octor in !isg"st. M!'B)T.: Throw physic to the dogs, then. :$ll none of it. The (octor ows an! lea3es. M!'B)T.: : will not be afraid of death and bane, till 'irnam forest come to &unsinane. Seyton has finishe! a!0"sting the armo"r. Mac eth marches o"t. Seyton follows. S')*) (((+ 'ountry near Birnam #ood+ Enter M+#C,#M% SIW+/( an! 8,)*6 SIW+/(% M+C()99% +*6)S% #E**,.% /,SS all !resse! for attle an! arme!. S(W! D: 1hat wood is this before us2

S')*) (1+ Dunsinane+ Within the castle+

Enter M+C-ET1 an! SE8T,*. M!'B)T.: /ur castle3s strength will laugh a siege to scorn. )ere let them lie till famine and the ague eat them up. #a!y Mac eth screams offstage. M!'B)T.: 1hat is that noise2 Seyton r"ns offstage to see. M!'B)T.: : have almost forgot the taste of fears. /e:enter SE8T,*% looking horrifie! S)$T-*: The (ueen, my lord, is dead.

Mac eth stan!s shocke! for a moment% then laments the f"tility of life. M!'B)T.: She should have died hereafter. There would have been a time for such a word. To5morrow, and to5morrow, and to5morrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time. .ife3s but a wal!ing shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. :t is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Enter a Messenger. Messen"er: Gracious my lord, as : did stand my watch upon the hill, : loo!3d toward 'irnam, and methought the wood began to move7 M!'B)T.: .iar and slave7 :f thou spea!3st false, upon the ne6t tree shalt thou hang alive7 $6i3ing an or!er& <ing the alarum5bell7 Seyton an! the messenger r"n offstage to o ey. The ell rings. M!'B)T.: 1hat3s he that was not born of woman2 Such a one am : to fear, or none. Enter 8,)*6 SIW+/(% swor! o"t% rea!y to fight. $-,*0 S(W! D: 1hat is thy name2 M!'B)T.: $eagerly !rawing his swor!& #y name3s #acbeth.

$-,*0 S(W! D: The devil himself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear. 8,)*6 SIW+/( charges him. They fight an! 8,)*6 SIW+/( is slain easily. Mac eth la"ghs o3er his corpse. M!'B)T.: Thou wast born of woman7 Enter M+C()99% swor! o"t% f"rio"s. M!'D,FF: Turn, hell5hound, turn7 M!'B)T.: $showing fear& /f all men else : have avoided thee. #y soul is too much charged with blood of thine already. M!'D,FF: : have no words7 #y voice is in my sword7 Mac!"ff attacks. They fight. Mac eth fen!s off Mac!"ff an! p"shes him ack. M!'B)T.: $la"ghing& Thou losest labour. : bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born. M!'D,FF: &espair thy charm, for #acduff was from his mother3s womb untimely ripp3d. Pa"se as this sinks in. Mac eth grows horrifie!. M!'B)T.: $afrai!& Accursed be that tongue that tells me so7 :$ll not fight with thee7 M!'D,FF: Then yield thee, coward.

M!'B)T.: $enrage!& : will not yield, to !iss the ground before young #alcolm3s feet7 .ay on, #acduff, and damn3d be him that first cries, 3)old, enough73 They fight. The attle takes them offstage. 9rom the opposite si!e comes M+#C,#M% SIW+/(% #E**,.% +*6)S an! /,SS. M!L'-LM: $To Siwar!& #acduff is missing, and your noble son. /oss sees 8o"ng Siwar!5s o!y% an! r"ns to it. -SS: 9our son, my lord, has paid a soldier3s debt, but li!e a man he died. S(W! D: )ad he his hurts before2 -SS: Ay, on the front. Siwar! kneels y the o!y of his !ea! son an! weeps. S(W! D: 1hy then, God3s soldier be he7 /e:enter Mac!"ff% carrying Mac eth5s hea!. M!'D,FF: $to Malcolm& )ail, !ing, for so thou art behold, where stands the usurper3s cursed head. )ail, %ing of Scotland7 !LL: )ail7 M!L'-LM: $making a proclamation& #y thanes and !insmen, henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland in

such an honour named. 0all home our e6iled friends abroad that fled the snares of this dead butcher and his fiend5li!e (ueen. This, and what needful else that calls upon us, by the grace of Grace, we will perform in measure, time and place. E'e"nt