The Tragedy of

MACBETH
ACT 3
3.1 Banquo suspects that Macbeth killed Duncan
in order to become king. Macbeth invites Banquo
to a feast that night. Banquo promises to return
in time. Macbeth, fearing that Banquo's children,
not his own, will be the future kings of Scotland, ACT 3
seizes upon the opportunity provided by Banquo's
scheduled return after dark to arrange for his mur-
der. To carry out the crime, Macbeth employs two
men whom he has persuaded to regard Banquo as
an enemy.
Scene 1 weird women -->
4. stand: be valid, hold good Enter Banquo. witches
8. by: judging by; on thee made good: made BAN QUO
good with regard to you Thou hast it now-king, Cawdor, Glamis, all
10 SD. Sennet: flourish of trumpets to announce As the Weird Women promised, and I fear suspicious
the entrance of a person of high degree Thou played'st most foully for 't. Yet it was said about his
13. It had: it would have; as: like It should not stand in thy posterity,
14. all-thing: wholly
friend
But that myself should be the root and father 5
15. solemn: ceremonial 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

rMacbeth, l Lennox, Ross, Lords, 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.
M:ACBETH
Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, King Duncan 15
80 And I'll request your presence.
BANQUO Let your Highness
81
 Macbeth ACT 3. sc. 1

18. Command upon me: i.e., royally invite me

(as opposed to request, line 16); the which: i.e
- 83'_------------
command upon me, to the which my duties
Are with a most indissoluble tie
your commands; duties: obligations ., 20
Forever knit.
24. still: always; prosperous: conducive to suc- MACBETH Ride you this afternoon? riding horses
cess BA.Nouo Ay, my good lord.
29-30. I . .. twain: i.e., I must ride an hour or MACBETH .
two after dark We should have else desired your good adv1ce
33. bloody: bloodthirsty; cousins: Malcolm and (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous)
Donalbain In this day's council, but we'll take tomorrow. 25
36. invention: fictions Is 't far you ride?
37. therewithal: in addition to that; cause of B;\NQUO
state: state affairs As far, my lord, as will fill up the time
38. Craving us jointly: requiring the attention of 'Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better,
both of us; Hie: hurry I must become a borrower of the night
45. society: (your) companionship For a dark hour or twain. 30
46. The sweeter welcome: the more sweetly wel- MACBETH Fail not our feast.
come (to me) BANOUO My lord, I will not. Lord --> more formal,
46-4 7. we will ... alone: I will stay ... alone MACBETH
47. While then, God be with you: until then, We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed
good-bye In England and in Ireland, not confessing
Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers 35
With strange invention. But of that tomorrow,
When therewithal we shall have cause of state
Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu, talking about
Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? the two sons
BANQUO fleeing
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. Banquo exits.
Let every man be master of his time
Till seven at night. To make society 45
The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself
82 Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you.
Lords 1and all but Macbeth and a Servant l exit.
 85 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 1

48. Sirrah: term of address to a social inferior Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men
48-49. Attend ... pleasure: i.e., are those men Our pleasure?
waiting to see me? SERVANT
50. without: outside They are, my lord, without the palace gate. 50
55. would be: ought to be MACBETH
57. to: in addition to Bring them before us. Servant exits.
61. genius: attendant spirit; rebuked: checked To be thus is nothing,
62. Caesar: i.e., Octavius Caesar (Shakespeare But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo scared of
will write about this again in Antony and Cleopatra.) Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Banquo
66. fruitless: without offspring Reigns that which would be feared. 'Tis much he 55
69. succeeding: inheriting the kingship dares,
70. issue: descendants; filed: made foul, defiled And to that dauntless temper of his mind
He is
72. rancors: bitter ill-feelings He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor smart,
73. eternal jewel: i.e., soul To act in safety. There is none but he and has
74. common enemy: i.e., the devil common: Whose being I do fear; and under him courage
60
general My genius is rebuked, as it is said
75. seeds: sons Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters
76. come fate: let fate come; list: lists, arena for When first they put the name of king upon me
trial by combat And bade them speak to him. Then, prophet-like,
77. champion me: oppose me; to th' utterance: They hailed him father to a line of kings. 65
to the death (a l'outrance, "to the uttermost, to Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown no point of
extremity") And put a barren scepter in my grip, being king if
77 SD. Murderers: i.e., men whom Macbeth Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, Banquo's
will persuade to commit murder (See longer note, No son of mine succeeding. If 't be so, son will be
page 194.) For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind;
For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered,
next70
Put rancors in the vessel of my peace
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel annoying him
Given to the common enemy of man
To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings. 75
Rather than so, come fate into the list,
And champion meto th' utterance.-Who's there?
Enter Servant and two Murderers.
84 rro the Servant.l Now go to the door, and stay there
till we call. Servant exits.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 1

87. in probation: in proving it Was it not yesterday we spoke together? spoke with
80
88. borne in hand: deceived, deluded (from the rMURDERERSl Macbeth before
French maintenir); crossed: thwarted; also barred It was, so please your Highness.
debarred, shut out ' MACBETH Well then, now
89. instruments: means; also legal instruments Have you considered of my speeches? Know
such as were often used to strip men of their prop- That it was he, in the times past, which held you
erty So under fortune, which you thought had been 85
92. To half a soul: i.e., even to a half-wit; a our innocent self. This I made good to you
notion: an understanding, a mind In our last conference, passed in probation with you
98. gospeled: ruled by the Gospels' "love your How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the
. "
enemies instruments,
101. yours: your descendants Who wrought with them, and all things else that 90
103. catalogue: list (of human types); go for: i.e., might
are counted as To half a soul and to a notion crazed
106. Shoughs: rough-haired lapdogs; water- Say "Thus did Banquo."
rugs: perhaps, water spaniels (See picture, below.) FIRST MURDERER You made it known to US.
wants to kill
demi-wolves: crossbreeds of dog and wolf; dept: MACBETH
Banquo
called I did so, and went further, which is now 95
107. valued file: a list that evaluates each breed Our point of second meeting. Do you find
109. housekeeper: watchdog Your patience so predominant in your nature
111. closed: enclosed That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled multiple
To pray for this good man and for his issue, meetings
Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave 100
And beggared yours forever?
FIRST MURDERER We are men, my liege.
MACBETH
Ay, in the catalogue you go for men,
As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels,
curs, 105
Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are dept
A water-rug, or water spaniel. (3.1.106) All by the name of dogs. The valued file
From Edward Topsell, The historie of Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle,
foure-footed beastes ... (1607). The housekeeper, the hunter, every one
According to the gift which bounteous nature 110
86 Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive
 Macbeth

-
ACT 3. SC. 1

112. Particular addition: a special name or title

-----------------------------
89
particular addition, from the bill
112-13. from the bill ... alike: in distinction that writes them all alike. And so of men.
from the catalogue that simply lists them all as dogs Now, if you have a station in the file,
114. station: position; file: wordplay on file as Not i' th' worst rank of manhood, say 't, 115

"list" (line 107) and as a "row of soldiers lined up And I will put that business in your bosoms
one behind the other" Whose execution takes your enemy off,
115. rank: wordplay on rank as "relative posi- Grapples you to the heart and love of us, sick, but killing will
tion" and as a "row of soldiers lined up abreast" Who wear our health but sickly in his life, cure him
116. in your bosoms: into your care Which in his death were perfect. 120

117. Whose execution: the carrying out of sECOND MURDERER I am one, my liege,
Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world
which; takes ... off: gets rid of your enemy
Hath so incensed that I am reckless what
not lucky
119. in his life: because Banquo is alive
120. were perfect: would be completely con- I do to spite the world.
tented FIRST MURDERER And I another 125
126. tugged with: pulled about by So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune,
127. set: stake, venture; chance: eventuality That I would set my life on any chance,
128. on 't: of it To mend it or be rid on 't.
132. bloody: portending bloodshed; distance: MACBETH Both of you
hostility, discord (Distance is also a technical term Know Banquo was your enemy. 130
in fencing. The image thus suggested of the two I MURDERERS l True, my lord.
in a potentially fatal duel is sustained in the word MACBETH
So is he mine, and in such bloody distance considers him an
thrusts, line 133.) enemy
134. my near'st of life: i.e., (1) the part most That every minute of his being thrusts
essential to life-the heart; (2) my most vital spot Against my near'st of life. And though I could
136. bid my will avouch it: offer my desire for With barefaced power sweep him from my sight 135
Banquo's death as sufficient justification for killing And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not,
him For certain friends that are both his and mine, Macbeth
137. For: because of Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall changed
138. but wail: i.e., but I must, instead, bewail Who I myself struck down. And thence it is
140. to ... make love: court your help That I to your assistance do make love, 140
Masking the business from the common eye
For sundry weighty reasons.
SECOND MURDERER We shall, my lord,
Perform what you command us.
88 FIRST MURDERER Though our lives- 145
 Macbeth AcT 3. sc. 2
91 ---------------------------
146. spirits: courage, vital powers
MACBETH . . . .
149. perfect spy o' th' time: perhaps, exact your spirits shme through you. Withm this hour at
information about when the deed should be done rnost
(This puzzling line has no agreed-upon meaning.) I will advise yo~ where to plant you;se~v~s,
150. on 't: of it Acquaint you with the perfect spy o th time, wants it done
151. something from: somewhat away from. rhe moment on 't, for 't must be done tonight now150
always thought: it being always understood ' And something from the palace; ~lwa~s thought
152. I require a clearness: I must be kept clear rhat I require a clearness. And With him
153. rubs nor botches: flaws or defects (To leave no rubs nor botches in the work)
155. absence: i.e., removal, death; material: Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, also kill his son
important Whose absence is no less material to me 155
157. Resolve yourselves apart: make up your rhan is his father's, must embrace the fate
minds in private Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart.
160. straight: straightway, immediately I'll come to you anon.
161. concluded: settled, determined rMURDERERSl We are resolved, my lord.
MACBETH
I'll call upon you straight. Abide within. 160
3.2 Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth express their rMurderers exit.l
unhappiness. Macbeth speaks of his fear of Banquo It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul's flight,
especially. He refers to a dreadful deed that will If it find heaven, must find it out tonight.
happen that night but does not confide his plan for rHe exits.l
Banquo's murder to Lady Macbeth.

3. attend his leisure: The phrase "attend some- Scene 2

one's leisure" means to wait until he or she is unoc- Enter Macbeth's Lady and a Servant.
cupied.
6. spent: used up, exhausted LADY MACBETH Is Banquo gone from court?
9. doubtful: apprehensive SERVANT
Ay, madam, but returns again tonight.
LADY MACBETH
Say to the King I would attend his leisure
For a few words.
SERVANT Madam, I will. He exits. 5
LADY MACBETH Naught's had, all's spent,
90 Where our desire is got without content.
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 2

11. sorriest: most wretched Enter Macbeth.

12. Using: entertaining, harboring
13. without: beyond; all: any w now, my lord, why do you keep alone, 10
15. scorched: slashed (from score, ~~s~rriest fancies your companions making,
with a knife) tJ ·ng those thoughts which should indeed have died
16. close: come back together, heal ~~h them they think on? Things without all remedy
16-17. our poor malice I Remains: i.e., I, wh Should be without regard. What's done is done.
have committed a malicious act (which now seern°
weak and ineffective), remain (Our may be instead! We have scorched the snake, not killed it. 15
simple plural, though elsewhere in the speech-e.g. s he'll close and be herself whilst our poor malice
lines 18-22-Macbeth clearly uses the royal plural.) Remains in danger of her former tooth.
poor: weak, ineffective malice: malicious act But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds
17. her former tooth: i.e., the snake's tooth (her suffer,
poisoned fang) as it was before she was scorched Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep 20
18. frame: structure; disjoint: come apart In the affliction of these terrible dreams
18-19. both the worlds suffer: (let) heaven and That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead,
Earth perish Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace,
25. In restless ecstasy: in a frenzy of sleepless- 1'han on the torture of the mind to lie
ness In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave. 25
27. his: its; nor ... nor: neither ... nor After life's fitful fever he sleeps well.
28. Malice domestic: civil ill will; foreign levy: Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison,
armies from abroad Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
30. gentle my lord: my noble lord Can touch him further.
31. Sleek o'er: smooth over; rugged looks: i.e., MACBETH Come on, gentle my lord, 30
Sleek o'er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial
furrowed brows
Among your guests tonight.
wants to
35-36. present ... tongue: give him special honor more and
by look and speech So shall I, love,
36. unsafe the while that: (you and I) are unsafe And so I pray be you. Let your remembrance more be
during this time in which Apply to Banquo; present him eminence king
35
3 7. lave our honors: wash our reputations Both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while that we
38. vizards: masks, visors Must lave our honors in these flattering streams
40. leave this: stop talking and thinking this wa_ And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are.
MACBETH You must leave this. Lady 40
Macbeth
92
. . . . .. . . . ~~T
does not want
0, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!
Thou know'st that Banquo and his Fleance lives.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 3
~--------------------------
43. nature's copy's not eterne: i.e., they have "¥MACBETH
been granted eternal life copy: perhaps, copyh~r~ ~ut in them nature's copy's not eterne.
tenure (a lease held by the lord of the manor)· or th ACBETH .
individual copied from nature's mold ' ' e r.1 there's comfort yet; they are assailable.
45-46. flown ... flight: i.e., emerged (at twilight) then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown 45
from the secluded caves and dark corners wh J-fs cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate's summons
bats sleep during the day ere r~e shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums telling her
46. Hecate: a powerful goddess and the patr Bath rung night's yawning peal, there shall be done
· h es
o f Witc on
A deed of dreadful note. the plans
47. shard-born: born in dung (See longer note t.AVY MACBETH What's to be done? 50
page 195.) '
MACBETH
48. rung night's yawning peal: i.e., finished Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
a~nouncing~ with ~ts hums, the coming of sleepy rill thou applaud the deed.-Come, Seeling night, kills him
mght (The Image IS of the pealing of the curfew Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day b/c he is
bell.) And with thy bloody and invisible hand scared
52. seeling night: i.e., night that blinds the eyes Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond 55
(The image is of the sewing together of the eyelids of Which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow
the falcon to keep it temporarily in darkness.) Makes wing to th' rooky wood.
53. Scarf up: blindfold; pitiful: compassionate Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,
55. Cancel ... bond: i.e., remove Banquo and Whiles night's black agents to their preys do
Fleance (See longer note, page 195.) rouse.- 60
57. rooky: i.e., filled with rooks Thou marvel'st at my words, but hold thee still. getting more
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So prithee go with me.
evil
3.3 A third man joins the two whom Macbeth has They exit.
already sent to kill Banquo and Fleance. The three
assassins manage to kill Banquo. Fleance escapes.
Scene 3
3. He: i.e., the third murderer; delivers: reports Enter three Murderers.
4. offices: duties
FIRST MURDERER
5. To the direction just: exactly according to
(our) instructions (from Macbeth) But who did bid thee join with us?
THIRD MURDERER Macbeth.
SECOND MURDERER, I to the First Murderer l
94 He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers they trust
Our offices and what we have to do Macbeth
To the direction just. 5
 Macbeth AcT 3. sc. 3
97 ----------------------------
8. lated: belated, tardy T MURDERER Then stand with us.-
9. timely: opportune, welcome FI~he west yet glimmers with some streaks of day.
10. The subject of our watch: the person we are NoW spurs the lated traveler apace
waiting for To gain the timely inn, r andl near approaches
12 SD. within: offstage The subject of our watch. 10
14. within the note of expectation: i.e., included JIIRD MURDERER Hark, I hear horses.
in the list of expected guests ~ANOUO, within Give us a light there, ho!
16. go about: perhaps, are being led to the sta- ECOND MURDERER Then 'tis he. The rest
5
bles or away from the palace gate (line 18) That are within the note of expectation
Already are i' th' court. 15
FIRST MURDERER His horses go about.
TliiRD MURDERER
Almost a mile; but he does usually
(So all men do) from hence to th' palace gate
Make it their walk. the two victims
Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a torch. enter
sECOND MURDERER A light, a light! 20
THIRD MURDERER 'Tis he.
FIRST MURDERER Stand to 't.
BANOUO, rto Fleance l It will be rain tonight.
FIRST MURDERER Let it come down!
rrhe three Murderers attack.l
BAN QUO
0 treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! 25
Thou mayst revenge-0 slave!
rHe dies. Fleance exits.l Banquo
THIRD MURDERER
Who did strike out the light?
dies but
FIRST MURDERER Was 't not the way? Fleance
THIRD MURDERER There's but one down. The son is escapes
A Scottish thane killed in ambush. (3.3.24-26) fled. 30
From Raphael Holinshed, The historie of Scotland (1577). SECOND MURDERER We have lost best half of our
affair.
96 FIRST MURDERER
Well, let's away and say how much is done.
They exit.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 4

3.4 As Macbeth's banquet begins, one of Banquo's Scene 4

murderers appears at the door to tell Macbeth of
Banquo's death and Fleance's escape. Returning to Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady rMacbeth, l
the table, Macbeth is confronted by Banquo's ghost, Ross, Lennox, Lords, and Attendants. celebrations
invisible to all but Macbeth. While Lady Macbeth
is able to dismiss as a momentary fit Macbeth's MACBETH . d A fi
kn ow your own degrees; sit own. t rst
expressions of horror at the ghost's first appearance, You r'T't- ·t l
1 ney st ·
And last, the hearty welc?me.
the reappearance of the ghost and Macbeth's out-
[..ORDs Thanks to your MaJesty.
cries in response to it force Lady Macbeth to send
MACBETH . . •
all the guests away. Alone with Lady Macbeth, Mac- Ourself will mmgle with society
beth resolves to meet the witches again. He foresees And play the humble host. . . 5
a future marked by further violence. Our hostess keeps her state, but m best time
We will require her welcome.
1. degrees: relative status (and hence where you LADY MACBETH .
are entitled to sit) Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,
1-2. At first I And last: to all in whatever degree For my heart speaks they are welcome.
6. keeps her state: remains on her throne; in Enter First Murderer rto the door. l
best time: at the most proper moment
7. require: request MACBETH , k
10. encounter thee: respond to your welcome See, they encounter thee w~th ~h~ir ~ea~s than s. 10

(perhaps with low bows as they take their places) Both sides are even. Here I ll sit I th midst. unfazed
Be large in mirth. Anon we'll drink a measu~e ,
11. Both sides are even: perhaps, there are equal
The table round. rApproaching the Murderer. There s by the
numbers on both sides of the table blood
12. large: liberal, unrestrained; Anon: soon; blood upon thy face.
measure: i.e., a toast MURDERER 'Tis Banquo's then. 15
21. the nonpareil: without equal MACBETH

23. I ... perfect: I otherwise would have been 'Tis better thee without than he within.
fully secure, complete Is he dispatched?
MURDERER
mad at the
My lord, his throat is cut. That I did for him. murderers
MACBETH
Thou art the best o' th' cutthroats,
Yet he's good that did the like for Fle~nce. 20
If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareiL
98 MURDERER
Most royal sir, Fleance is 'scaped.
MACBETH,raside l
Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect,
 1
10
Macbeth ACT 3. sc. 4
·~-----------------------------
24. founded: rooted, stable Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
25. broad: free; casing: surrounding, enclosing As broad and general as the casing air. 25
26. cabined, cribbed: closed in, cramped (as in But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in
a cabin or hovel) right
To saucy doubts and fears.-But Banquo's safe? know the
27. saucy: insolent; safe: unable to do harm MURDERER
threat is gone
28. bides: remains; waits Ay, my good lord. Safe in a ditch he bides,
30. The least a death to nature: the smallest one With twenty trenched gashes on his head,
of which would have been fatal The least a death to nature. 30
32. worm: i.e., young serpent MACBETH Thanks for that.
3 5. hear ourselves: talk There the grown serpent lies. The worm that's fled
37. give the cheer: i.e., entertain your guests Hath nature that in time will venom breed,
properly; sold: i.e., as opposed to given (line 39), as No teeth for th' present. Get thee gone. Tomorrow
if the host were an innkeeper (Lines 37-39 say that We'll hear ourselves again. Murderer exits. 35
a feast is no better than a meal in an inn if the host LADY MACBETH My royal lord,
does not keep assuring his guests of their welcome.) You do not give the cheer. The feast is sold
39. To feed ... home: mere eating is best done That is not often vouched, while 'tis a-making,
at home 'Tis given with welcome. To feed were best at home;
40. From thence: i.e., (when one is) away from From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony; 40
home; meat: food; ceremony: the practice of cour- Meeting were bare without it.
tesy
Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth's place.
41. Meeting were: social gatherings would be
41 SD. Enter the Ghost: The ghost is not MACBETH, rto Lady Macbeth l Sweet remembrancer!-
observed by Macbeth until line 54. (See longer note, Now, good digestion wait on appetite
page 196.) And health on both!
43. wait on: serve, and therefore follow upon LENNOX May 't please your Highness sit. 45
46. our country's honor roofed: i.e., all the MACBETH
nobility of the country under one roof Here had we now our country's honor roofed,
48-49. Who ... mischance: whom I hope I Were the graced person of our Banquo present, acting like he
should blame for unkindly staying away rather than Who may I rather challenge for unkindness does not
pity for some accident that has happened to him Than pity for mischance. know
51. Lays ... promise: i.e., calls into question his R,OSS His absence, sir, so
promise (to be here) Lays blame upon his promise. Please 't your
Highness
To grace us with your royal company?
100 MACBETH
The table's full.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 4
57. moves: disturbs
66. upon a thought: in a moment J.&NNOX Here is a place reserved, sir. 55

67. note: pay attention to MACBETH Where?

68. passion: disturbed state LJi NOX
7 5. air-drawn: made of air, airy Here, my good lord. What is 't that moves your
76. flaws and starts: outbursts Highness?
77. to: in comparison to; well become: be very MACBETH
appropriate for Which of you have done this?
78. woman's story: i.e., "old wives' tale" (See pic- LORDS What, my good lord? 60
MACBETH, I tothe Ghost l
ture, below.)
79. Authorized by: vouched for, with a sense also Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake sees ghost
of "authored by"; Shame itself!: i.e., for shame! Thy gory locks at me.
&OSS
Gentlemen, rise. His Highness is not well.
in his head
LADY MACBETH
Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus
And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. 65
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. IDrawing Macbeth aside.l
Are you a man? 70
MACBETH
Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that
Which might appall the devil.
LADY MACBETH 0, proper stuff!
This is the very painting of your fear.
This is the air-drawn dagger which you said
we receive
75
Led you to Duncan. 0, these flaws and starts, confirmation
Impostors to true fear, would well become
A woman's story at a winter's fire,
Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!
A woman "at a winter's fire." (3.4. 78)
From Jacob Cats, Alle de werken .. . (1657-59).
Why do you make such faces? When all's done, 80
You look but on a stool.
MACBETH
102
Prithee, see there. Behold, look! rro the Ghost.l Lo,
how say you?
 tOS Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 4

85. charnel houses: vaults or small buildings for Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.-
the bones of the dead (See picture, below.) If charnel houses and our graves must send 85
86-87. our monuments ... kites: i.e., our only Those that we bury back, our monuments
burial vaults (monuments) will be the stomachs shall be the maws of kites. I Ghost exits. l
(maws) of birds of prey (kites) See picture, page 106. LADY MACBETH What, quite unmanned in folly?
92. humane: civil, kindly; purged the gentle MACBETH
weal: cleansed the commonwealth of violence and If I stand here, I saw him. saw Banquo
made it gentle LADY MACBETH Fie, for shame! 90
97. crowns: heads MACBETH
101. lack you: miss your company Blood hath been shed ere now, i' th' olden time,
107 SD. Enter Ghost: The ghost is not observed by Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal;
Macbeth until line 113. See longer note on 3.4.41 SD. Ay, and since too, murders have been performed
110. him we thirst: (to) him we wish or long for Too terrible for the ear. The I time l has been
(i.e., Banquo) That, when the brains were out, the man would die, 95
113. Avaunt: begone; quit: leave And there an end. But now they rise again
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, 100
Your noble friends do lack you.
MACBETH I do forget.-
Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends. pretends it is
I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing normal
To those that know me. Come, love and health to 105
all.
Then I'll sit down.-Give me some wine. Fill full.
Enter Ghost.
I drink to th' general joy o' th' whole table
And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss.
Would he were here! To all, and him we thirst, 110
A charnel house. (3.4.85) And all to all.
From Todten-Tantz ... (1696). LORDS Our duties, and the pledge.
'They raise their drinking cups.l
104 MACBETH, Ito the Ghostl
Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee.
Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold;
 t07 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 4

115. speculation: ability to see Thou hast no speculation in those eyes 115
119. a thing of custom: something customary Which thou dost glare with.
123. Hyrcan: from Hyrcania, a part of the Roman LADY MACBETH Think of this, good
Empire located on the Caspian Sea (In the Aeneid, peers,
Hyrcania is associated with tigers.) But as a thing of custom. 'Tis no other;
124. nerves: sinews Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. 120
126. desert: (any) uninhabited place MACBETH, ito the Ghostl What man dare, I dare.
127. If trembling I inhabit then: perhaps, if I Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear,
The armed rhinoceros, or th' Hyrcan tiger; scared of the
then tremble; protest me: proclaim me
128. The baby of a girl: i.e., a baby girl Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves ghost
129. mock'ry: illusion (with perhaps the sense, Shall never tremble. Or be alive again 125
also, of "that which mocks me") And dare me to the desert with thy sword.
130. being gone: i.e., it being gone If trembling I inhabit then, protest me
134. admired: amazing The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow!
137-38. strange ... owe: i.e., feel like a stranger Unreal mock'ry, hence! rGhost exits.l
to my own nature owe: own Why so, being gone, 130
146. Stand not ... going: i.e., don't insist on I am a man again.-Pray you sit still.
LADY MACBETH
made the
leaving in ceremonial rank order
You have displaced the mirth, broke the good atmosphere
meeting wierd
With most admired disorder.
MACBETH Can such things be 135
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 140
When mine is blanched with fear.
ROSS What sights, my
lord?
LADY MACBETH
A kite. (3.4.87; 4.3.256) I pray you, speak not. He grows worse and worse.
From Konrad Gesner, ... Historiae animalium . . . (1585-1604). Question enrages him. At once, good night. 145
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.
wants to divert
106
LENNOX Good night, and better health attention
Attend his Majesty.
 154. Augurs: i.e., auguries, predictions; under-
stood relations: comprehended reports
- 109
LADY MACBETH
Macbeth

A kind good night to all.

ACT 3.

Lords rand all but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth l exit.

SC. 4

150

155. By maggot pies and choughs: i.e., by means MACBETH

of magpies and jackdaws It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.
155-56. brought forth: revealed Stones have been known to move, and trees to
157. man of blood: murderer; What is the speak.
night?: what time of night is it? Augurs and understood relations have
164. fee'd: paid (to spy) By maggot pies and choughs and rooks brought 155
165. betimes: early forth
166. bent: determined The secret'st man of blood.-What is the night?
169. no more: no further LADY MACBETH
171. will to hand: demand to be carried out Almost at odds with morning, which is which.
172. scanned: thought about carefully MACBETH
173. season: seasoning (i.e., that which preserves How say'st thou that Macduff denies his person
and gives flavor or zest) At our great bidding? 160
174. strange and self-abuse: remarkable self- LADY MACBETH Did you send to him, sir?
delusion MACBETH
175. initiate fear: i.e., fear felt by a beginner, an I hear it by the way; but I will send.
initiate; wants: lacks, needs; hard use: practice that There's not a one of them but in his house
hardens one; or, vigorous usage I keep a servant fee' d. I will tomorrow
wants to see
(And betimes I will) to the Weird Sisters. the 165
witches
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 killed too much
Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, to go back
Returning were as tedious as go o'er. 170
Strange things I have in head that will to hand,
Which must be acted ere they may be scanned.
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. 175
We are yet but young in deed.
!08 They exit.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 5

3.5 The presentation of the witches in this scene Scene 5

(as in 4.1.38 SD-43 and 141-48) differs from their
presentation in the rest of the play. Most editors and Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate.
scholars believe that neither this scene nor the pas- FIRST WITCH
sages in 4.1 were written by Shakespeare. Why, how now, Hecate? You look angerly.
neGATE
Have I not reason, beldams as you are?
2. beldams: hags Saucy and overbold, how did you dare
7. close: secret To trade and traffic with Macbeth
15. Acheron: a river in the underworld, in Greek In riddles and affairs of death, 5
mythology And I, the mistress of your charms,
24. profound: of deep significance The close contriver of all harms,
27. artificial: deceitful; skilled in artifice Was never called to bear my part
29. confusion: destruction 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 15
Meet me i' th' morning. Thither he
Will come to know his destiny.
Your vessels and your spells provide,
Your charms and everything beside.
I am for th' 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 vap'rous drop profound.
I'll catch it ere it come to ground, 25
And that, distilled by magic sleights,
Fortune turning mortals on her wheel. (3.1.126-28) Shall raise such artificial sprites
From Gregor Reisch, Margarita philosophica . .. (1503). As by the strength of their illusion
Shall draw him on to his confusion.
110 He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear 30
His hopes 'hove wisdom, grace, and fear.
 t13 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 6

32. security: too much self-confidence And you all know, security
35 SD. Come away: This song is from Thomas Is mortals' chiefest enemy.
Middleton's play The Witch (Act 3, scene 3). The Music and a song.
first two lines read "Come away! Come away! I Hec- Hark! I am called. My little spirit, see,
ate, Hecate, come away!" Most scholars think that Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me. rHecate exits.l 35
Macbeth 3.5, as well as parts of 4.1, were written by Sing within "Come away, come away," etc.
Middleton, perhaps for a revival of the play later in FJRSTWITCH
James's reign. Some attribute even more of the play come, let's make haste. She'll soon be back again.
to Middleton. They exit.

3.6 Lennox and an unnamed lord discuss politics Scene 6

in Scotland. Lennox comments sarcastically upon
Macbeth's "official" versions of the many recent vio- Enter Lennox and another Lord.
lent deaths. The nameless lord responds with news LENNOX
of Macduff's flight to England to seek help in over- My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
throwing Macbeth. Which can interpret farther. Only I say
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious suspicious
1. but hit your thoughts: merely agreed with Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth; marry, he was dead. 5
what you were already thinking
2. interpret farther: i.e., go on to draw further And the right valiant Banquo walked too late,
Whom you may say, if 't please you, Fleance killed,
conclusions
For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late.
3. borne: managed, conducted maybe
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
5. of: by; marry: a mild oath (originally an oath Fleance
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain 10
on the name of Mary, mother of Jesus)
9. want the thought: help thinking
To kill their gracious father? Damned fact, killed
11. fact: deed, crime
How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight Banquo
In pious rage the two delinquents tear
12. straight: immediately
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
13. delinquents: offenders
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely, too, 15
14. slaves of drink: i.e., in a drunken stupor;
For 'twould have angered any heart alive
thralls: slaves
To hear the men deny 't. So that I say oblivious
20. an 't: if it
He has borne all things well. And I do think
That had he Duncan's sons under his key
112 (As, an 't please heaven, he shall not) they should 20
find
What 'twere to kill a father. So should Fleance.
 Macbeth ACT 3. SC. 6

23. from broad words: as a result of plain :But peace. For from broad words, and 'cause he
speaking failed
28. son of Duncan: i.e., Malcolm flis presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear 25
29. holds: withholds; due of birth: birthright Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell
31. Of: by; Edward: Edward the Confessor, king Where he bestows himself?
of England from 1042 to 1066 oRD The Isonl of Duncan
32-33. nothing I Takes: does not detract L (From whom thi~ tyrant holds ~he du~ of birth) King Edward
33. his high respect: the high respect granted Lives in the Enghsh court and IS received treats
30 him
Malcolm of the most pious Edward with such grace with respect
34. upon his aid: on Malcolm's behalf That the malevolence of fortune nothing
37. ratify: sanction Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff
40. free honors: honors freely given Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid
45. an absolute ... 1: i.e., Macduff had answered To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward 35
Macbeth's order to appear with a peremptory "Sir, That, by the help of these (with Him above
not I" To ratify the work), we may again
46. cloudy: unhappy, gloomy; turns me: i.e., turns Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights,
48. clogs: burdens Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,
50. him: i.e., Macduff Do faithful homage, and receive free honors, 40
52. unfold: reveal All which we pine for now. And this report
54-55. our . .. accursed: i.e., our country, suf- Hath so exasperate Ithe l King that he
fering under an accursed hand Prepares for some attempt of war.
LENNOX Sent he to Macduff?
LORD
He did, and with an absolute "Sir, not I," 45
The cloudy messenger turns me his back believes
And hums, as who should say "You'll rue the time
That clogs me with this answer."
Macbeth is a
LENNOX And that well mighttyrant
Advise him to a caution It' holdl what distance so
His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel
they are not
Fly to the court of England and unfold supporting
A hermit. (1.6.24) His message ere he come, that a swift blessing Macbeth
From August Casimir Redel, Apophtegmata symbolica (n.d.). May soon return to this our suffering country
Under a hand accursed. ss
114 LORD I'll send my prayers with him.
They exit.
 The Tragedy of

MACBETH
ACT4