THE TEXT AND PARAPHRASE OF ACT 1 SCENE 1

- Amid thunder and lightning, three witches meet at a desolate spot with the purpose of
encountering Macbeth.

-They agree to meet again on the heath which reminds one of the name ‘Macbeth’.

- The keynote of the play is struck with their appearance because just as they are unnatural beings,
there is to be a violation of natural law in Scotland. There will then be unnatural confusion and
disorder.

- The scene is long enough to awaken the curiosity of the audience but not to satisfy it.

PAGE 1

(The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

The battlefield: thunder and lightning. Enter three WITCHES

First Witch

When shall we three meet again

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Paraphrase of the lines: The First Witch asks the other two when they shall meet again. She also asks
whether they shall meet when it is thundering, when there is lightning or when there is rain.

Note: The witches will only choose bad weather in which to meet. They can also make their own
storms by magic.

Second Witch

When the hurly-burly's done,

When the battle's lost and won

Paraphrase of the lines: The Second Witch replies that they shall meet again when the ‘hurly-burly’
or the confusion and chaos of the battle that is currently being fought (between the forces of Duncan
led by Macbeth and Banquo, and the rebel, Macdonwald) is over. They will meet again when the
battle has been lost by one side and won by the other side.

Note: ‘When the hurly-burly’s done’ is symbolic of the unnatural confusion and disorder that will
result from the murder of Duncan because murder is a violation of natural law.

‘When the battle’s lost and won’ indicates that the Witches are indifferent to the affairs of men. It
does not matter to them as to which side will win and which side will lose. The second line of the
witch is also an indirect reference to the fact that Macbeth will lose the battle with himself to hold on
to his soul or to the goodness that is in it. Duncan will be murdered, which will be a violation of
natural law bringing unnatural confusion and disorder.
The Witches speak in riddles which rhyme. Both rhymes and riddles suggest a magic spell. It is the
Witches’ habit to equivocate. This means that they often say things that have more than one
meaning. They do so to mislead human beings who are foolish enough to listen to them and believe
what their words seem to mean.

Third Witch

That will be ere the set of sun.

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch replies that the battle will be lost by one side and won by the
other ‘ere’ or before the setting of the sun.

Note: The sun is associated, in its dazzling glory, with God, and with God’s representative on earth,
the king. It is a sign of order and life. The reference to sunset suggests decline and gives a hint of the
coming night which will be associated with violence, disorder and evil.

First Witch

Where the place?

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch asks the other two witches where the place will be that they
will meet at again.

Second Witch

Upon the heath.

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch replies that they will meet again at the heath or a
wasteland.

Note: The choice of the place suggests the evil nature of the witches. They have chosen a place
where nothing useful or beautiful grows because evil will not allow anything wholesome to grow or
prosper. Wherever they meet, it will be a barren place.

The sound and spelling of ‘heath’ is similar to that of ‘Macbeth’. Shakespeare wants us to associate
Macbeth with evil.

Third Witch

There to meet with Macbeth.

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch says that they shall meet again on the heath to meet
Macbeth.

First Witch

I come, Graymalkin!

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch responds to her attendant spirit, a grey cat affectionately
called Graymalkin, and tells it that she is coming.
Note: Evil spirits which served witches often entered the bodies of small animals like cats. The demon
became the witches’ familiar or servant. The fact that pets are calling their mistresses instead of the
other way round suggests an unnatural reversal in the order of things.

Second Witch

Paddock calls.

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch says that her attendant spirit, a toad, that she
affectionately refers to as Paddock is calling out to her.

Third Witch

Anon.

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch replies to her unnamed familiar or servant and says that she
is coming anon or soon.

ALL

Fair is foul, and foul is fair:

Hover through the fog and filthy air.

Paraphrase of the lines: The Witches now probably hover in the air and chant lines that rhyme. The
first line, which is a paradox ( a statement in which two opposing ideas have been expressed) means
that whatever is regarded as good, beautiful and wholesome to others is regarded as bad and evil by
them. Whatever is regarded as bad and evil by others is regarded as good and beautiful by them.

The line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’, implies that everything is unnaturally reversed in the world of
evil. Nothing is what it seems to be. There is a fine line between good and evil. The audience is being
prepared for what is to come. Good will become bad and bad will become good. What seems to be
good may actually be evil and what seems to be evil may actually be good.

The Witches mention that at they make this statement, they hover or remain suspended in the fog
and the foul, damp, misty air.

Exeunt

Act 1 scene 2 (Original Text and Paraphrase)

  King Duncan is told by a captain who has just come from the battlefield , how the battle
between the forces of Duncan, led by Macbeth and Banquo, and the rebels led by
Macdonwald, proceeded.

 Through this scene, Shakespeare fulfills his purpose of exposition, or providing the audience
with background information about characters and giving details about the setting of the
play.

PAGE 2 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

The king’s headquarters: alarum within. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, with
Attendants, meeting a bleeding Captain

Note: The king’s headquarters are probably a camp near Forres, which was an ancient town where
Duncan’s castle was situated.

Alarum within: the sound of a trumpet blowing off stage

DUNCAN

What bloody man is that? He can report,

As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt
The newest state.

Meaning of words/phrases:

bloody: bleeding

plight: condition

newest: latest

state: situation on the battlefield

Paraphrase of the lines: A bleeding man approaches Duncan, the thanes and the attendants. Duncan
wants to know who this bleeding man is. From his condition, it seems that he is in a position or
condition to give them information about the latest situation on the battlefield and the latest
developments with regard to the rebellion against Duncan.

MALCOLM

This is the sergeant

Who like a good and hardy soldier fought
'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend!
Say to the king the knowledge of the broil
As thou didst leave it.

Meaning of words/phrases:
sergeant: captain

hardy: tough

‘Gainst: against

captivity: imprisonment

knowledge: information

broil: fighting, battle

Paraphrase of the lines: Malcolm, the elder son of Duncan, replies that the bleeding man is the
captain, who, like a faithful and tough soldier, found to defend Malcolm and prevent him from being
taken prisoner.

Malcolm then greets the captain by calling him a brave friend. He asks the captain to give the king
information regarding how the battle was going and the situation on the battlefield when he left it.

CAPTAIN

Doubtful it stood;
As two spent swimmers, that do cling together
And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald--
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villanies of nature
Do swarm upon him--from the western isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;
And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,
Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak:
For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--
Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel,
Which smoked with bloody execution,
Like Valour's minion carved out his passage
Till he faced the slave;
Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,
Till he unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps,
And fix'd his head upon our battlements.

Meaning of words/phrases:

doubtful: uncertain

spent: exhausted

choke their art: hamper each other’s efforts and skill

multiplying: increasing

villainies: wickedness

of nature: inborn
swarm: throng; accumulate; crowd round

Western isles: The Hebrides, which is an island chain or a group of about forty islands off the north
west coast of Scotland

kerns: lightly armed Irish foot-soldiers

gallowglasses: heavily armed Irish horsemen

Fortune: fate, personified

damned quarrel: accursed cause

showed like a rebel’s whore: falsely appeared to favour, like a woman of loose morals or character

brandished: waving; flourishing

valour’s minion: the favourite of valour or courage

slave: the contemptible Macdonwald

unseamed: tore; pierced; split open

nave to th’ chops: from the navel the jaws

battlements: walls of a fort or castle

Paraphrase of the lines: The Captain replies that the result or outcome of the battle seemed
uncertain. The two sides that were fighting could be compared to two swimmers that are competing
with each other but are exhausted. In their exhaustion, they hold on to one another, grappling with
each other. In doing so, they hinder and obstruct each other, thereby preventing one another from
using ability to swim.

In the same way, both armies were completely exhausted but kept on fighting with each other. So,
neither side let the other side make any progress and the outcome of the battle hung in the
balance.

The Captain refers to Macdonwald as heartless. The many vices of human nature breed in him.
Owing to his inborn wickedness that is ever increasing and accumulates on him, he deserves to be
called a rebel. He has been reinforced by Irish troops including foot-soldiers and horsemen from the
Hebrides. Fortune or fate smiled or favoured his accursed cause but she seemed like a prostitute or a
woman of loose morals who seems to place her favours on one man, only to betray him later. It
seemed as if luck was on the side of the rebel but this situation soon changed.

Everthing and everyone seem to be too weak and ineffective for the courageous Macbeth. The brave
Macbeth who deserves to be called brave, regards luck or fortune or the initial success of the rebel
forces with contempt. This means that he does not care if fortune seems to have favoured the rebel
at first.

Waving his sword which gave off steam because of all the blood that he had shed while executing or
putting to death, many of the men who had fought on the rebel’s side, Macbeth forced his way
through the soldiers fighting in the battle. Like a butcher carving meat, he sliced his way through the
ranks of the enemy soldiers and like the favoured one of valour or courage personified, he came face-
to-face with that wretched fellow, Macdonwald.
Then, without shaking hands with him or bidding him goodbye, Macbeth ripped open Macdonwald’s
body with his sword. He pierced his sword through him right from his navel to this jaws. He then cut
off Macdonwald’s head and fixed it on the walls of Duncan’s fort or castle to send out a strong
warning to everyone in Scotland regarding rebelling against the king.

DUNCAN

O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!

Paraphrase of the line: Duncan ecstatically praises his courageous cousin. ( Please note: Duncan and
Macbeth were actually first cousins, on the mother’s side. They were the sons of two sisters. )

CAPTAIN

As whence the sun 'gins his reflection

Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,
So from that spring whence comfort seem'd to come
Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark:

Meaning of words/phrases:

whence: the place or source from where

direful: disastrous

spring: source

swells: rises; gains in size

mark: note; pay attention to

Paraphrase of the lines: The Captain says that storms that can wreck ships, and disastrous thunder
can rage from the same eastern direction in which the sun rises and starts to spread its light on the
earth. In other words, the eastern sky, which is a source of comfort in the form of sunlight, can also
be a source of discomfort because terrible storms can emerge and rage from that same eastern sky.

The Captain urges Duncan to pay close attention to his words.

PAGE 3 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

No sooner justice had with valour arm'd

Compell'd these skipping kerns to trust their heels,
But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage,
With furbish'd arms and new supplies of men
Began a fresh assault.

Meaning of words/phrases:

skipping kerns: panic-stricken Irish foot-soldiers - mercenaries

trust their heels: run away; flee

surveying vantage: seeing his chance

furbished: newly acquired

Paraphrase of the lines: The Captain then goes on to say that almost as soon as the agent of justice,
Macbeth, armed with the very spirit of courage of bravery, forced the panic-stricken Irish foot-
soldiers to run away, hopes of gaining a swift victory were dispelled. This was because the king of
Norway, Sweno, saw an opportunity for himself. With newly acquired weapons and fresh soldiers, he
launched a new or another attack against the troops of Duncan.

DUNCAN

Dismay'd not this

Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?

Meaning of words/phrases:

Dismay’d: disheartened; distressed

Paraphrase of the line: Duncan asks if the commanders of his army, Macbeth and Banquo, were
disheartened and distressed on being faced with a fresh attack by Sweno, the king of Norway.

CAPTAIN

Yes; as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.

If I say sooth, I must report they were
As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they
Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:
Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,
Or memorise another Golgotha,
I cannot tell.
But I am faint, my gashes cry for help.

Meaning of words/phrases:

sooth: the truth

overcharged with double cracks: loaded with twice the amount of gunpowder

Doubly redoubled: Both Macbeth and Banquo struck at the enemy with twice as much intensity and
so, together, the intensity of their attack was quadrupled or four times as much intense or fierce as
their onslaught would usually be

Except : unless

nought: nothing

reeking: refers to the stench of blood

memorise: make as memorable as

Golgotha: a Hebrew word that means ‘the place of a skull’ – Calvary - a skull-shaped hill near ancient
Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified.

gashes: deep, open wounds

Paraphrase of the lines: The Captain replies that Macbeth and Banquo were as disheartened or
distressed as an eagle would be by a sparrow, or a lion would be by a hare. In other words, Macbeth
and Banquo were not disheartened or distressed at all.

If he were to speak the truth, the Captain says that he must inform Duncan that Macbeth and
Banquo could be compared with cannons that are loaded with twice the amount of gunpowder that
they normally hold. They both struck at or attacked the enemy with twice as much intensity and
ferocity and so, considering the two of them together, the intensity or ferocity with which they
attacked the enemy was quadrupled or four times as much as it usually would be.

The Captain says that he does not know how to account for or explain the incredible fury with which
they fought unless they intended bathing in the foul-smelling blood that was flowing from the
wounds that they inflicted on the enemy soldiers, thereby making the battlefield as memorable as
Golgotha or Calvary, the place where Jesus was crucified and a Hebrew word for ‘the place of a
skull’. If doing this was the reason why they fought with such ferocity, then the Captain can account
for it or give an explanation for it, otherwise, he cannot.

The Captain then says that he feels very weak and that his wide, open wounds need to be urgently
attended to.

DUNCAN

So well thy words become thee as thy wounds;

They smack of honour both. Go get him surgeons.

Exit Captain, attended

Who comes here?

Enter ROSS and ANGUS

Meaning of words/phrases:

become: suit

smack of: have a touch of

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan tells the Captain that his words suit him or are as worthy of him as
his wounds. What Duncan means is that both the words and the wounds of the Captain show what
an honourable man he is. Duncan then asks his attendants to get surgeons so that the wounds of the
Captain can be attended to .

He then sees two thanes, Ross and Angus, coming towards him and asks who is coming towards
him.

(Note: a thane was the title given to a local royal official in medieval Scotland. Ross and Angus were
thanes who governed provinces of Scotland called Ross and Angus. Thanes were given land to govern
as a reward for faithful military service.)
MALCOLM

The worthy thane of Ross.

Meaning of words/phrases:

Paraphrase of the lines: Malcolm, the elder son of Duncan, replies that the thane of Ross is coming
towards Duncan.

LENNOX

What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he look

That seems to speak things strange.

Meaning of words/phrases:

haste looks through his eyes: an expression of urgency in his eyes

Paraphrase of the lines: Lennox remarks that there is an expression of urgency in Ross’s eyes. He
looks like a man who is about to utter or speak about strange and unusual events.

ROSS

God save the king!

Paraphrase of the line: Ross politely greets the king.

DUNCAN

Whence camest thou, worthy thane?

Meaning of word:

Whence: where

Paraphrase of the line: Referring to Ross as a ‘worthy’ thane or a thane that deserves to be
respected, Duncan asks him where he has come from.

ROSS

From Fife, great king;

Where the Norwegian banners flout the sky
And fan our people cold. Norway himself,
With terrible numbers,
Assisted by that most disloyal traitor
The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict;
Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapp'd in proof,

Meaning of words/phrases:

Fife: an ancient province of Scotland

banners: flags

flout: mock

fan our people cold: strike fear in the hearts of the Scottish people

that most disloyal traitor: Macdonwald, the thane of Cawdor

dismal conflict: an ominous, menacing or threatening battle

Bellona’s bridegroom: the husband of the Roman goddess of war

lapp’d in proof: clad in armour , the strength of which has been tested

Paraphrase of the lines: Ross respectfully replies that he has come from Fife, an ancient province of
Scotland. He gives Duncan the disturbing news that the flags of the Norwegian army are fluttering in
the air there and are thereby mocking the Scottish sky. What he means is that the Norwegian army
has put up its flags in Fife to challenge the freedom of the people of Scotland. The sight of these flags
has struck fear in the hearts of the people of Fife as these flags seem to indicate that Scotland been
defeated by Norway.

Ross goes on to say that Sweno, the king of Norway, himself, with a terrifying horde of warriors and
aided by the unfaithful traitor, Macdonwald, the thane of Cawdor, launched an ominous, menacing
or threatening onslaught.

He was able to continue with his onslaught only until Macbeth, whom he refers to as the husband of
Bellona, the Roman goddess of war, because of the ferocity with which he fought against the rebels,
faced or opposed him, clad in strong armour.

PAGE 4 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Confronted him with self-comparisons,

Point against point rebellious, arm 'gainst arm.
Curbing his lavish spirit: and, to conclude,
The victory fell on us.

Meaning of words/phrases:

Confronted him with self comparisons: faced him or fought with him on equal terms

Point against point: sword against sword

Curbing: restraining, subduing

lavish: insolent; unrestrained

rebellious arm: aggressive attack

Paraphrase of the lines: Ross says that Macbeth faced Macdonwald, on equal terms, which means,
that he fought with him in a manner that showed that he was just as skilled in warfare and as
courageous as Macdonwald was.

(These two men also fought on equal terms in the sense that both were thanes. Macdonwald was
the Thane of Cawdor while Macbeth was the Thane of Glamis. Ironically, Macbeth will turn out to be
a traitor just like Macdonwald and so, even in terms of being treacherous to Duncan, both men are
equal. )

One sword clashed against the other. Macbeth responded to each aggressive attack of Macdonwald
with an equally aggressive stroke or attack of his sword.

In this manner, Macbeth subdued the insolent, unrestrained spirit of Macdonwald. Ross concludes
his account of the events on the battlefield by stating that the forces of Macbeth and Banquo were
eventually victorious.

(Note: The word ‘rebellious’ suggests that like Macdonwald, Macbeth too, will rebel or go against his
king. )

DUNCAN

Great happiness!

Paraphrase of the line: Duncan expresses his great happiness.

ROSS

That now
Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition:
Nor would we deign him burial of his men
Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's inch
Ten thousand dollars to our general use.

Meaning of words/phrases:

craves composition: earnestly seeks compromise

deign: permit

disbursed: paid

Saint Colme’s inch: an island in the firth of Forth

( a firth is an estuary or a partially enclosed region of a water body while Forth is the name of a river.
So….Saint Colme’s inch would be an island situated in a partially enclosed area of a Scottish river,
River Forth.)

general use: general benefit

Paraphrase of the lines: Ross says that now Sweno, the king of Norway, earnestly seeks to arrive at a
compromise. The Scottish side, however, did not permit him to bury his dead men until he paid them
a sum of ten thousand dollars or silver coins at an island that he refers to as Saint Colme’s inch, which
is situated in a partially enclosed area or firth of a river in Scotland, River Forth.

These ten thousand silver coins or dollars are to be used for the general benefit of the Scottish
soldiers and people.

DUNCAN

No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive

Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death,
And with his former title greet Macbeth.
Meaning of words/phrases:

bosom interest: deep trust and faith

present: immediate

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan says that Macdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor will not betray his
deep trust and faith any more. Duncan tells Ross to announce an immediate death sentence for
Macdonwald and to address Macbeth by the title of the Thane of Cawdor that used to be the title by
which Macdonwald used to be addressed.

It is ironic that Duncan does not realize that the new Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth, will also betray his
deep trust and faith.

(NOTE: Shakespeare seems to have forgotten that in a previous portion of this scene, he had
mentioned that Macbeth had chopped off the head of Macdonwald. Shakespeare would
sometimes be careless with details and make such errors.)

ROSS

I'll see it done.

Paraphrase of the line: Ross assures Duncan that his command will be carried out.

DUNCAN

What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.

Exeunt

Paraphrase of the line: Duncan states that the title of the Thane of Cawdor that Macdonwald has
lost, has been won or earned by Macbeth.

It is ironic that along with the title of the Thane of Cawdor, the qualities of a traitor also seem to have
been passed on to Macbeth. Duncan does not realise that the new Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth, will
turn out to be just as treacherous as the previous Thane of Cawdor, Macdonwald.

Act 1 scene 3 (Original Text and Paraphrase)

 The three witches appear on the heath in the midst of thunder.

 While they are waiting for Macbeth, they tell each other of their misdeeds.

 When Macbeth and Banquo enter, the witches hail them and utter prophecies about them.

 The witches test men by tempting them to evil but they cannot really control the future
which is ruled by divine providence or the governance of God.

 Macbeth and Banquo respond differently to the prophecies.

PAGE 4 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

The heath: thunder. Enter the three Witches

First Witch

Where hast thou been, sister?

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch asks the Second Witch , whom she addresses as her sister,
where she has been.

Second Witch

Killing swine.

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch replies that she was killing swine or a pig. (She says this
because witches were often accused of killing farm animals.)

Third Witch

Sister, where thou?

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch, who addresses the First Witch as ‘sister’, asks her where she
has been.

First Witch

A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap,

And munch'd, and munch'd, and munch'd:--
'Give me,' quoth I:
'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed runnion cries.
Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o' the Tiger:
But in a sieve I'll thither sail,
And, like a rat without a tail,
I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do.

Meaning of words/phrases:

quoth: said

‘Aroint thee: go away; away with you

rump-fed runnion: fat-bottomed old woman

Aleppo : a trading city in northern Syria – It was the chief market of the Middle East in the sixteenth
century.

thither: there

I’ll do: take revenge by practising evil and witchcraft

Paraphrase of the lines: The First Witch replies that a sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap. When
the First Witch asked her for some, the fat-bottomed old woman rudely told the First Witch to go
away.
The husband of the sailor’s wife, meaning a sailor, is on board a ship called the Tiger and is sailing to
Aleppo, which was a trading city in northern Syria. To take revenge for the rude behavior of the
sailor’s wife, the First Witch intends to sail towards the ship in a sieve. She would creep on board the
ship like a rat without a tail so that she would not be noticed. Then, she would ruin or destroy the
ship and the sailor by practising her evil and witchcraft.

Note: The witch says the words ‘I’ll do’ thrice because three was a magic number. It was said to have
a beginning, a middle and an end.

A sieve was traditionally believed to be used by witches to sail in. Water goes right through a sieve
but a witch could sail in it by using magic.

References to the first witch being able to sail in a sieve, even though water goes right through it,
and her assuming the form of a rat without a tail suggests that the Witches represent a distortion of
all that is normal.

PAGE 5 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Second Witch

I'll give thee a wind.

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch tells the First Witch that she will ensure that the wind
blows in a favourable direction so that the First Witch’s sieve sails in the direction that she wants it to
sail in.

First Witch

Thou'rt kind.

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch appreciates the kindness and helpfulness of the Second
Witch.

Third Witch

And I another.

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch says that she will conjure another favourable wind for the
First Witch.

First Witch

I myself have all the other,

And the very ports they blow,
All the quarters that they know
I' the shipman's card.
I will drain him dry as hay:
Sleep shall neither night nor day
Hang upon his pent-house lid;
He shall live a man forbid:
Weary se'nnights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine:
Though his bark cannot be lost,
Yet it shall be tempest-tost.
Look what I have.

Meaning of words/phrases:

the other: the other winds

quarters: directions

shipman’s card: a sailor’s compass

penthouse: the roof which covered the rear portion of the stage in Shakespeare’s time

forbid: cursed

Paraphrase of the lines: The First Witch says that she, herself, has all the other winds at her disposal.
She also knows the exact ports or harbours that they will blow to or where they blow from. So, she
can prevent ships from entering those harbours, especially the ship of the Captain’s wife that she
wants to take revenge against.

She also knows all the directions that are indicated in a ship’s compass. Hence, she can control the
direction in which the winds will blow all the better. She will torture the captain of the ship with
acute thirst so that he will feel as dry as hay.

His eyelids, which slope like the roof of a penthouse or the roof which covered the rear portion of
the stage of a theatre in Shakespeare’s time, are heavy because he is very sleepy. However, the
Second Witch will not let him sleep either during the night or during the day. He shall live like a man
who has been cursed. He shall feel restless and tired for seven nights multiplied by nine times nine,
meaning seven multiplied by eighty-one, which means 567 nights. He shall become weaker and
weaker. He shall go on losing weight and become extremely thin. Although his ship cannot be
completely destroyed, it shall be badly shaken by storms. (This was because witches could cause an
upheaval in the affairs of human beings, they could not kill anyone. They had no control over life and
death.)

The First Witch now holds up something to show the other two witches.

Second Witch

Show me, show me.

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch eagerly asks the First Witch to show her what she is
holding up.
First Witch

Here I have a pilot's thumb,

Wreck'd as homeward he did come.

Paraphrase of the lines: The First Witch tells the other two that she has with her the thumb of a pilot
or a man who guides a ship into a harbour. The ship of the pilot whose thumb the First Witch has,
was wrecked or destroyed as he was sailing home. Hence, this pilot died.

It is implied that the First Witch will use this thumb to practise some magical spell.

Drum within ( The sound of the beating of a drum is heard . It would be beaten off- stage. )

Third Witch

A drum, a drum!
Macbeth doth come.

Paraphrase of the lines: The Third Witch remarks that the beating of a drum can be heard. This
indicates that Macbeth is coming their way.

ALL

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 make up nine.
Peace! the charm's wound up.

Meaning of words/phrases:

weird sisters: The word ‘weird’ originally meant ‘fate’. The phrase ‘weird sisters’ refers to the Fates or
the Greek goddesses of destiny.

posters: swift travellers

Peace!: Be quiet!

charm’s wound up : The spell has been completed and is ready to take effect.

Paraphrase of the lines: The Three Witches hold hands. They refer to themselves as the ‘weird
sisters’ or the goddesses of destiny. They also refer to themselves as travellers who can move swiftly
over the sea and the land. This is because they can fly.

Referring to the manner in which they are moving at this moment, they say that they move round
and round, thrice in one direction, perhaps clockwise or anti-clockwise. Then they move round and
round thrice, in the other direction. They then again change their direction move round and round
thrice. So, in all, they moved in circles nine times. They then tell one another to be silent because
their spell is ready to take effect.

NOTE: It seems that the Witches represent two things -

(i) They are women who practise witchcraft, a kind of magic to harm others. They are, or think they
are, in league with the Devil. This is the picture we have of them so far, and it will continue.

(ii) They are in some way, goddesses of destiny. Shakespeare, however, makes it clear that they do
not control Macbeth. He can choose good but chooses evil. The Witches would be moving hands and
moving in a circle - three times one way, three times the other, and three times again in the first
direction.

PAGE 6 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Enter MACBETH and BANQUO

MACBETH

So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth remarks that he has never seen a day so foul, on account of its
being foggy, and yet, so beautiful, on account of the victory that they have won against Macdonwald,
the treacherous Thane of Cawdor, and Sweno, the king of Norway.

NOTE: This is a purposefully ambiguous statement This is a simple comment on the changeableness
of the weather, which has become foggy in the presence of the yet unseen witches. Macbeth could be
referring to the battle that first seemed unpleasant or foul but then became fair or pleasant.

Macbeth’s words echo the Witches’ words in the opening scene of the play: ‘Fair is foul and foul is
fair.’ This suggests that unknown to Macbeth, the Witches have established a connection with him.
Ironically, he does not know how foul a day this will prove for him because he will go on to sell his
soul to the Devil by murdering a virtuous king like Duncan.

BANQUO

How far is't call'd to Forres? What are these

So wither'd and so wild in their attire,
That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth,
And yet are on't? Live you? or are you aught
That man may question? You seem to understand me,
By each at once her choppy finger laying
Upon her skinny lips: you should be women,
And yet your beards forbid me to interpret
That you are so.

Meaning of words/phrases:

Forres: one of Scotland’s oldest towns - a castle where Duncan lives

wither’d: shrivelled; aged

aught: anything
choppy : chapped

interpret: to regard as

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo asks Macbeth what the distance is from the place where they are at
this moment, meaning the heath, and Forres, a town in Scotland, which was also referred to as
Duncan’s castle.

Pointing to the Witches, Banquo wonders who these beings are that are so shrivelled and look so
wild in their strange attire. They do not look like normal beings of the earth and yet are present on it.
Banquo implies that they seem to be supernatural beings.

He asks them whether they are actual living beings or whether they are unnatural, supernatural
beings, the actual existence of which may be questioned or doubted by human beings. He remarks
that they seem to understand what he has said from the manner in which they have responded to
his words, for each of them has placed her chapped finger on her thin lips as if telling him to be
silent.

Banquo remarks that from their appearance they should be women. However, their beards prevent
him from regarding them as women.

MACBETH

Speak, if you can: what are you?

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth tells them to speak if they are capable of speaking and to tell them
what they are.

First Witch

All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis!

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch says that they all greet Macbeth wholeheartedly as the Thane
of Glamis.

Second Witch

All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch says that they all greet Macbeth wholeheartedly as the
Thane of Cawdor.

Third Witch

All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch says that they all greet Macbeth wholeheartedly as the man
who shall be the King of Scotland in the future.
BANQUO

Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear

Things that do sound so fair? I' the name of truth,
Are ye fantastical, or that indeed
Which outwardly ye show? My noble partner
You greet with present grace and great prediction
Of noble having and of royal hope,
That he seems rapt withal: to me you speak not.
If you can look into the seeds of time,
And say which grain will grow and which will not,
Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear
Your favours nor your hate.

Meaning of words/phrases:

start: a sudden, jerky bodily movement when one is startled or surprised

fantastical: imaginary

rapt: lost in thought

withal : with

the seeds of time: what the future is to bring

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo politely asks Macbeth why he started or appeared startled and
seemed to be frightened on hearing statements that appear to be so pleasing.

Banquo then asks the Witches to tell him, for the sake of truth, whether they are imaginary beings
or really are that which they outwardly appear to be. They have greeted his noble, fine companion,
Macbeth, with courtesy and respect for holding the position of the Thane of Glamis, a title that he
holds at this present moment. You have predicted high titles for him and have aroused in him, the
hope of becoming the King of Scotland. Due to this, he now appears to be lost in thought.

Banquo points out that the Witches have said nothing to him. He tells them to speak to him if they
really can predict future developments, and if they can foretell what expectations will materialise
and what expectations will not materialise. Banquo makes it clear that he neither implores them to
do him any favours nor feels afraid of their hatred. In other words, he simply wants to know the truth
about what they can predict regarding his future, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant.

NOTE: A reason why Macbeth starts when he hears the Witches’ words could be that they expressed
in words a desire that he seems to have secretly been holding on to - the forbidden desire to be king.

First Witch

Hail!

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch greets Banquo.

Second Witch

Hail!

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch greets Macbeth.

PAGE 7 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Third Witch

Hail!

Paraphrase of the line: The Third Witch greets Macbeth.

First Witch

Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch now predicts that Banquo will be lower in status than
Macbeth but he will be higher and greater than him. What she means is that in terms of rank and
status, Banquo will not be as great as Macbeth. However, in terms of character, morality, honesty
and integrity, he will be far greater than Macbeth.

Second Witch

Not so happy, yet much happier.

Paraphrase of the line: The Second Witch predicts that Banquo will not be as fortunate as Macbeth
but he will be much happier. What she means is that in terms of rising in rank, power and status,
Banquo will not be as fortunate as Macbeth. However, in terms of being happy and at peace in mind
and soul, Banquo will be much happier and more fortunate than Macbeth.

Third Witch

Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:

So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!

Paraphrase of the lines: The Third Witch predicts that Banquo will beget or father future kings,
although he will never be king himself. His descendants will be kings, although he will not be king
himself.

Due to the future greatness that the Witches foresee for Macbeth and for Banquo’s descendants, all
the Witches wholeheartedly greet Banquo and Macbeth.

First Witch
Banquo and Macbeth, all hail!

Paraphrase of the line: The First Witch repeats the last line of her sister and says that they all
wholeheartedly greet Banquo and Macbeth.

MACBETH

Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more:

By Sinel's death I know I am thane of Glamis;
But how of Cawdor? the thane of Cawdor lives,
A prosperous gentleman; and to be king
Stands not within the prospect of belief,
No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence
You owe this strange intelligence? or why
Upon this blasted heath you stop our way
With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.

Meaning of words/phrases:

imperfect speakers: speakers who have made incomplete statements

Sinel: the name of Macbeth’s father

prospect: possibility

intelligence : information

blasted: barren

charge: command

Paraphrase of the lines: It seems as if the Witches are about to disappear and so Macbeth frantically
tells them to wait. He calls them ‘imperfect speakers’ by which he means that the words of the
Witches do not make complete sense. He asks them to give him more information. He knows that
owing to the death of Sinel, his father, he is the current Thane of Glamis because he inherited this
title from his father. He does not understand how he can be the Thane of Cawdor when he is still
alive and is a prosperous gentleman or a gentleman who is doing very well in terms of health and his
ability to fulfill his role as the Thane of Cawdor. ( It seems as if Macbeth has forgotten that he has
just defeated Macdonwald, the treacherous thane of Cawdor, in a fierce battle, and so, the current
Thane of Cawdor cannot possibly be a ‘prosperous’ and he is certainly not a ‘ gentleman’.
Shakespeare was careless with details, at times.)

Macbeth goes on to say that as far as his becoming the King of Scotland is concerned, such a
possibility does not lie within the range of belief, just as it is not possible for him to be the Thane of
Cawdor.
Macbeth asks the Witches to tell him from what source they have obtained this strange information
and why they have detained Macbeth and Banquo on a barren stretch of land to greet them with
predictions about their future. He commands them to speak but the Witches disappear.

Witches vanish

BANQUO

The earth hath bubbles, as the water has,

And these are of them. Whither are they vanish'd?

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo remarks that just as water has bubbles which hardly last a moment,
the earth too, has its bubbles or creatures that have a fleeting, temporary and short-lived existence.
He wonders where the beings that were here a moment ago have disappeared.

MACBETH

Into the air; and what seem'd corporal melted

As breath into the wind. Would they had stay'd!

Meaning of words/phrases:

corporal: physical

Would: I wish

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth replies that the creatures have disappeared into the air. What
seemed to have a physical, solid and real form has dissolved into thin air just as one’s breath
disappears and is carried away by the wind. Macbeth wishes they had stayed longer.

BANQUO

Were such things here as we do speak about?

Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo wonders if the creatures that they are speaking about were actually
present, or whether Macbeth and he have eaten a herb called hemlock or henbane that causes
madness or insanity and renders human intelligence incapable of functioning.

MACBETH

Your children shall be kings.

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth jokingly reminds Banquo of the Witches’ prediction regarding his
children becoming kings in the future.
BANQUO

You shall be king.

Paraphrase of the line: Banquo also responds jokingly by reminding Macbeth that he shall be king
himself.

MACBETH

And thane of Cawdor too: went it not so?

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth says that he will be the thane of Cawdor as well. He asks if that is
what the Witches had predicted.

(NOTE: While Macbeth seems to be joking about the predictions made by the strange beings as
though he were trying to recall the words or tune of a song, the truth is that he is thinking about
them very deeply.)

PAGE 8 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

BANQUO

To the selfsame tune and words. Who's here?

Paraphrase of the line: Since Macbeth is jokingly trying to recall the words of the Witches as if he
were trying to recall the words and tune of a song, Banquo also jokingly replies that what the
Witches uttered had the exact same tune and words.

They now notice two people coming towards them and so Banquo wonders who they are.

Enter ROSS and ANGUS

ROSS

The king hath happily received, Macbeth,

The news of thy success; and when he reads
Thy personal venture in the rebels' fight,
His wonders and his praises do contend
Which should be thine or his: silenced with that,
In viewing o'er the rest o' the selfsame day,
He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks,
Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make,
Strange images of death. As thick as hail
Came post with post; and every one did bear
Thy praises in his kingdom's great defence,
And pour'd them down before him.
Meaning of words/phrases:

venture: achievement

contend: compete with each other to gain supremacy

stout: strong

nothing : not at all

post: messenger

Paraphrase of the lines: Ross tells Macbeth that the King has received the news of his victory in the
battle against the rebels with joy. On learning of Macbeth's achievement with regard to his personal
combat against Macdonwald, the rebel, the King finds it impossible to find words to express, at once,
his own astonishment and praise for Macbeth. His astonishment at Macbeth’s achievement and his
admiration for Macbeth struggle and compete with each other for supremacy in the sense that the
King is not able to decide whether to express his astonishment or to praise Macbeth. Due to this
mental conflict, he is speechless.

In reviewing the events of this same day or the day of the battle, he finds that Macbeth fought in the
midst of the strong Norwegian soldiers without feeling afraid of death at all. Macbeth was too intent
on inflicting death on others to be afraid of it. The corpses that he created seemed unreal in their
dreadfulness. The bodies of the revels in unnatural postures could be regarded as various pictures of
death. Macbeth has been brave in front of such pictures but will be afraid of the later ‘pictures’ he
makes - the body of Duncan and the ghost of Banquo.

Messengers came to Duncan swiftly and one after the other, like a whole lot of hailstones pouring
down. Each one of the messengers spoke highly of Macbeth’s bravery in the battle in which he
defended his country against the enemy. All the messengers were full of praise for him. They gushed
with praise in the presence of the king.

ANGUS

We are sent
To give thee from our royal master thanks;
Only to herald thee into his sight,
Not pay thee.

Paraphrase of the lines: Angus tells Macbeth that Ross and he have been sent here to give Macbeth
thanks on behalf of their royal master, the King. However, they are here only to ‘herald’ or escort him
into King’s presence and not to reward him for his actions.

ROSS

And, for an earnest of a greater honour,

He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor:
In which addition, hail, most worthy thane!
For it is thine.

Paraphrase of the lines: Ross adds that as a token or indication of a greater reward, the King has
asked him to address, Macbeth as the Thane of Cawdor on his behalf. Ross then greets Macbeth by
the additional title ( an addition to the title of the Thane of Glamis which Macbeth already
possesses) of the most deserving and fine thane of Cawdor because this title now belongs to
Macbeth.

BANQUO

What, can the devil speak true?

Paraphrase of the line: Banquo is taken aback at one of the predictions of the witches having come
true. He wonders if it is possible for those devilish creatures to have been speaking the truth.

MACBETH

The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me

In borrow'd robes?

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth responds to the words of Ross by reminding him that
Macdonwald, the thane of Cawdor is alive. He asks Ross why he is using a title for him that belongs
to another man. Doing so amounts to clothing him in robes that belong to someone else.

ANGUS

Who was the thane lives yet;

But under heavy judgment bears that life
Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was combined
With those of Norway, or did line the rebel
With hidden help and vantage, or that with both
He labour'd in his country's wrack, I know not;

Meaning of words/phrases:

heavy judgement: sentence of death

line: lend support to

vantage: advantage

ruin : destruction

Paraphrase of the lines: Angus tells Macbeth that Macdonwald who was the Thane of Cawdor is still
alive, no doubt, but it is under a sentence of death that he holds on to the life that he deserves to
lose.
Angus says that he does not know exactly whether Macdonwald had fought alongside the troops of
the Norwegian king or secretly supported the Norwegian king with men and weapons, and had
secretly helped them to gain an advantage, possibly by providing a base in Scotland from where an
attack could be launched, or whether he had done both to try hard to bring about the ruin of his
country.

PAGE 9 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

But treasons capital, confess'd and proved,

Have overthrown him.

Paraphrase of the lines: The fact is that his treachery for which he deserves capital punishment, has
been proven and he has confessed to having committed it. This has brought about his downfall.

MACBETH

[Aside] Glamis, and thane of Cawdor!

The greatest is behind.

To ROSS and ANGUS

Thanks for your pains.

To BANQUO

Do you not hope your children shall be kings,

When those that gave the thane of Cawdor to me
Promised no less to them?

Paraphrase of the lines: In an aside, meaning a speech in which an actor speaks to himself or the
audience while other characters are present on stage but do not hear him, Macbeth exclaims
excitedly at the realisation that the words of the Witches are turning out to be true.

He already was the Thane of Glamis and has become the Thane of Cawdor. The highest honour that
was predicted by those creatures is yet to follow.

Macbeth then thanks Ross and Angus for taking the trouble to come all the way to this heath to
deliver the King’s message.

Macbeth then privately asks Banquo if he does not hope that his children will indeed become kings
when the creatures who predicted that Macbeth would become the Thane of Cawdor assured
Banquo that his children would become kings.

BANQUO

That trusted home

Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,
Besides the thane of Cawdor. But 'tis strange:
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's
In deepest consequence.
Cousins, a word, I pray you.

Meaning of words/phrases:

trusted home: believed all the way

enkindle : excite his hopes

instruments of darkness: agents of evil

honest trifles : things which are true but not very important

deepest consequence: matters of great importance

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo privately warns Macbeth that if he completely believes the
predictions of those creatures, their words may excite his hopes with regard to gaining the crown or
the throne of Scotland in addition to the title of the Thane of Cawdor, which has already been
conferred on Macbeth.

Due to the staunchness of his soul, Banquo is not swayed by the words of the witches and remarks
that what has just happened is very strange and odd. He warns Macbeth that it often happens that
to lure human beings to commit sinful acts that bring about their destruction, the agents of evil
often make some true predictions. They gain the trust of human beings by telling them the truth in
matters that are not very important. They then deceive human beings in matters of vital
importance.

Banquo then addresses Ross and Angus as ‘cousins’ by which he means his fellow noblemen, and
requests them to let him have a word with them.

MACBETH

[Aside] Two truths are told,

As happy prologues to the swelling act
Of the imperial theme.--I thank you, gentlemen.

Aside

Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill,

Why hath it given me earnest of success,
Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor:
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature? Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings:
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
Shakes so my single state of man that function
Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is
But what is not.

Meaning of words/phrases:

prologues : something introductory; that which comes first, to be followed by something more
important

swelling act: mighty drama

imperial theme: the theme of kingship

earnest : pledge

fantastical: imaginary

smother’d in surmise: overcome by speculation or conjecture

Paraphrase of the lines: In another aside, Macbeth says to himself that two of the predictions made
by the strange creatures have proved to be true. They are pleasant preludes to the development
which will exalt or raise him to the high position of a king.

In these lines, Macbeth speaks of the recent developments as though they are the prologues or
introductory parts to a mighty drama that is about to unfold. The theme of this drama or play is
kingship and he is the principal character of this drama who is about to play the part of king.

Macbeth then realises that he is ignoring Angus and Ross and thanks them for all their trouble.

He again starts to speak to himself and says that the prompting or incitement to commit evil that he
has received from supernatural beings through their prediction about his becoming king, can neither
be evil nor good. He makes a paradoxical statement here in which he expresses two contradictory
ideas.

He says that if the predictions of the witches are evil because he feels they prompt him to commit
evil, he wonders why he has received a promise that the prediction regarding kingship will be true.
He has received this promise because the first prediction regarding his becoming the thane of
Cawdor has proved to be true.

If, this prediction regarding kingship and the promptings that he has received because of it are good,
he wonders why he submits to a suggestion or idea, the horrible image of which unsettles his hair
and makes his firmly implanted heart shudder against his ribs, contrary to what is normal or natural.
Frightful things in the present have less effect on us than imagined horrors.

The thought of committing murder has surfaced in Macbeth’s mind. It is purely imaginary and yet, it
so unsettles his entire being that he has been rendered incapable of functioning normally. His
capacity to act has been overwhelmed by speculating or thinking too much about the possible
consequences of his actions.
Now, nothing matters to Macbeth except what has not yet happened. By this, he probably refers to
the murder of Duncan that has not yet happened and the kingship that he has not yet acquired.

BANQUO

Look, how our partner's rapt.

Paraphrase of the line: Banquo mentions to Angus and Ross that their companion, Banquo is deep in
thought.

MACBETH

[Aside] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir.

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth, who does not realise that Banquo, Ross and Angus are wondering
at his being lost in thought, continues talking to himself.

He says that if fate intends that he is to be king, fate may place a crown on his head without his
having to take any steps to become king.

PAGE 10 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

BANQUO

New honours come upon him,

Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould
But with the aid of use.

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo remarks that the new title of the thane of Cawdor that has been
conferred on Macbeth, makes him a little uneasy. He feels like a man who has put on strange, new
clothes that he is not accustomed to. Such clothes do not ‘cleave’, cling or fit the ‘mould’ or body
that has worn them until they have been assisted in doing so by the wearer’s having worn them
several times. In other words, just a person feels comfortable in new clothes only after having worn
them a number of times, a man can only feel comfortable with acquiring a new title that belonged to
someone else, after he has held that title for some time.

MACBETH

[Aside] Come what come may,

Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth continues to talk to himself and says that what is to happen must
happen. It is inevitable. The stormiest day must come to an end, no matter what happens.

BANQUO

Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure.

Paraphrase of the line: Banquo respectfully tries to make Macbeth realise that they are waiting for
him to be free to give them his attention so that they can carry on with their journey.

MACBETH

Give me your favour: my dull brain was wrought

With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains
Are register'd where every day I turn
The leaf to read them. Let us toward the king.
Think upon what hath chanced, and, at more time,
The interim having weigh'd it, let us speak
Our free hearts each to other.

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth asks Banquo, Ross and Angus to pardon him for having been so
lost in thought. He says that his dull mind was troubled and caught up in things of the past. He
gratefully tells Ross and Angus that the trouble that they have taken for him will be remembered by
him always. His mind has registered and recorded it as though his memory were a book and he turns
to read everyday, the page on which he has recorded details of the trouble taken by Ross and Angus
for him. He then proposes that he proceed to meet the Kings.

He then softly asks Banquo to think about what has happened. Later, when they have more time,
they must tell each other what they really feel about it. In the interim or meantime, they should
carefully consider what has transpired or taken place.

BANQUO

Very gladly.

Paraphrase of the line: Banquo replies that he would be very happy to do so.

MACBETH

Till then, enough. Come, friends.

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth says that till they have more time to talk about it, they have dwelt
enough on this matter. He then turns his attention to Ross and Angus, warmly addressing them as his
friends.

Exeunt

Act 1 scene 4 (Original Text and Paraphrase)

 In the palace at Forres, Duncan is informed of the execution of Macdonwald, the former
Thane of Cawdor.

 He thanks Macbeth effusively on his entering the scene.

  Duncan announces that he will make Malcolm, his elder son, his heir to the throne of
Scotland.

 In an aside, Macbeth states that this announcement is an obstacle in the path of his fulfilling
his ambition and calls upon darkness to cover what he wishes to be done.

 The King, as a mark of his favour, proposes to visit Macbeth’s castle at Inverness.

 Macbeth rides on ahead to prepare a hospitable reception for Duncan.

 This scene shows how ironically Duncan is deceived in Macbeth, as he had been in the
previous Thane of Cawdor.

PAGE 11 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

SCENE IV. The king’s headquarters.

Flourish. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, and Attendants

(Note: These headquarters actually refer to Forres, one of the oldest towns in Scotland, where
Shakespeare located Duncan’s castle. Hence, with regard to the play ‘Macbeth’, when we see
Forres mentioned, it means Duncan’s castle. )

DUNCAN

Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not

Those in commission yet return'd?

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan asks if Macdonwald, the treacherous Thane of Cawdor has been
executed or put to death. He asks if the men who were in charge of carrying out the execution have
returned.

MALCOLM

My liege,

They are not yet come back. But I have spoke

With one that saw him die: who did report

That very frankly he confess'd his treasons,

Implored your highness' pardon and set forth

A deep repentance: nothing in his life

Became him like the leaving it; he died

As one that had been studied in his death

To throw away the dearest thing he owed,

As 'twere a careless trifle.

Meaning of words/phrases:

liege: lord

set forth: expressed

became him: befitted him; graced him; did him credit

studied in his death : had rehearsed the manner in which he would die

As ‘twere: as if it were

careless trifle: an insignificant thing not worth caring about

Paraphrase of the lines: Malcolm, the elder son of Duncan, respectfully replies that the men in
charge of carrying out the execution of Macdonwald have not returned yet. However, Malcom has
spoken to a man who saw the Thane of Cawdor die. This man has reported that the Thane of Cawdor
very openly and honestly confessed to having committed treachery towards Duncan. He begged His
Highness, King Duncan to forgive him and he expressed a heartfelt feeling of regret for his actions.
Nothing he had ever done in his life did him as much credit as the manner in which he let go of his
life. The manner in which he died was like one who had rehearsed how to die in an honourable
manner by letting go of his life, his most precious possession, as if it were an insignificant thing not
worth caring about.

PAGE 12 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

DUNCAN

There's no art

To find the mind's construction in the face:

He was a gentleman on whom I built

An absolute trust.

Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS

O worthiest cousin!

The sin of my ingratitude even now

Was heavy on me: thou art so far before

That swiftest wing of recompense is slow

To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved,

That the proportion both of thanks and payment

Might have been mine! only I have left to say,

More is thy due than more than all can pay.

Meaning of words/phrases:
art: skill, method or device

mind’s construction: the workings of the mind; the thoughts that are in someone’s mind

was heavy on me: was troubling him; was a burden on his heart

thou art so far before : Macbeth is so far ahead in terms of doing deeds to serve his king

the swiftest wing of recompense: the promptest reward

Would: I wish

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan remarks that there is no method, skill or device by which one can
discover the workings or the disposition of a man’s mind by scrutinising his face. Macdonwald was a
gentleman in whom Duncan had placed complete faith

At this point, Macbeth, Banquo, Ross and Angus enter. Duncan affectionately addresses Macbeth as
his most worthy cousin. He says that only a moment ago, he was feeling greatly burdened by a
feeling of guilt for not having expressed his gratitude to Macbeth for what he has done. Macbeth has
been so swift in carrying out one action after the other in service of his king and thereby causing
Duncan to feel more and more indebted and obliged to him that even the speediest possible action
on Duncan’s part to repay him would not keep pace with Macbeth.

Duncan wishes that Macbeth had not given him proof of his valour and loyalty to such an extent
because then, it would have been possible for Duncan to give Macbeth thanks and to reward him in
proportion to his achievements. At the moment, Duncan’s expression of thanks and the reward he
can give Macbeth will be much less than he deserves.

All that Duncan can now say is that Macbeth deserves much more than all that Duncan can offer him
as a reward.

MACBETH

The service and the loyalty I owe,

In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part

Is to receive our duties; and our duties

Are to your throne and state children and servants,

Which do but what they should, by doing every thing

Safe toward your love and honour.

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth graciously replies that it is his duty to serve the king loyally and the
performance of this duty is itself a reward for him. The function of His Majesty, King Duncan, is to
receive the services of Macbeth and all those who owe him allegiance or loyalty. They are obliged to
be dutiful towards his throne, his kingdom, his children and his servants.

In performing their duties, they merely do what is expected of them. All that Macbeth and all those
who serve the king do, must always be with definite and certain regard for ( safe toward) the love
they have for their king and to honour and respect him.
DUNCAN

Welcome hither:

I have begun to plant thee, and will labour

To make thee full of growing. Noble Banquo,

That hast no less deserved, nor must be known

No less to have done so, let me enfold thee

And hold thee to my heart.

Paraphrase of the lines: The King welcomes both Macbeth and Banquo to the place where they are,
which in all probability is Forres, the town where Duncan’s castle is situated. He says that he has
begun to plant or promote Macbeth and will strive to ensure that he continues to prosper and
progress, meaning, he continues to be promoted in rank and status.

Duncan uses a metaphor of gardening. Just as a gardener takes care of his plants to ensure that they
grow and bloom, he will ensure that he creates such conditions in which Macbeth will prosper and
bloom. Duncan then turns his attention to the fine, noble Banquo and tells him that he has deserved
no less of a reward than Macbeth. His achievements must in no way be less publicised or spoken of
than Macbeth’s achievements because he has served his king as loyally as Macbeth.

Duncan opens his arms and expresses the wish to embrace Banquo and hold him close to his heart.

BANQUO

There if I grow,

The harvest is your own.

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo courteously replies that if he flourishes in the warmth of the king’s
affection, all that he is capable of doing will belong to Duncan. He means that if he flourishes
because of the warmth of Duncan’s affection, all that he will do will be in service of his king.

DUNCAN

My plenteous joys,

Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves

In drops of sorrow. Sons, kinsmen, thanes,

And you whose places are the nearest, know

We will establish our estate upon

Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter

The Prince of Cumberland; which honour must

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan now says that his abundant joys that are ‘wanton in fullness’ or
unrestrained because of being in excess, try to hide themselves in tears. In other words, Duncan
cannot help shedding tears of joy.

He then addresses all those who are present - his sons, kinsmen or relatives and friends, thanes and
all those who are closest to him in affection. He says that they all should know that he will be settle
the succession to the throne of Scotland upon his eldest son, Malcolm. From now on, he will be
known by the title of the Prince of Cumberland.

PAGE 13 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Not unaccompanied invest him only,

But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine

On all deservers. From hence to Inverness,

And bind us further to you.

Meaning of words/phrases:

which honour must /Not unaccompanied invest him only: Malcolm will not be the only one to receive
the honour of a higher title

bind us further to you: increase Duncan’s indebtedness to them

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan goes on to say that his son, Malcolm, must not be the only one to
receive the honour of a higher title. . ‘Signs of nobleness’ or new titles of nobility will shine on all
those who have served Duncan faithfully and are worthy of new titles and ranks.

Duncan now turns to Macbeth and proposes that they go from Forres to Inverness, the town where
Macbeth’s castle is situated. ( Hence, the name of Macbeth’s castle is Inverness.) To honour
Macbeth, Duncan has decided to be a guest at his castle and politely tells him that he will increase
his indebtedness to Macbeth by imposing himself as a guest on him.

MACBETH

The rest is labour, which is not used for you:

I'll be myself the harbinger and make joyful

The hearing of my wife with your approach;

So humbly take my leave.

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth replies that rest or leisure is tiresome work when it is not used in
the service of the king. He will be the harbinger or officer who would go ahead of the king to
announce his arrival and make arrangements for his accommodation. What Macbeth means is that
he will go on ahead of Duncan to reach Inverness before him and give his wife the joyous or happy
news of the king’s arrival. Macbeth humbly takes leave of Duncan.

DUNCAN
My worthy Cawdor!

Paraphrase of the line: Duncan responds to Macbeth’s words by affectionately addressing him as his
worthy, fine Thane of Cawdor.

MACBETH

[Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step

On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,

For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;

Let not light see my black and deep desires:

The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be,

Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. [ Exit]

Paraphrase of the lines: In an aside, Macbeth expresses his unhappiness about Malcolm’s having
been declared the Prince of Cumberland and hence, the heir apparent of Duncan. He says that this is
an obstacle that he can either trip over and fall, or, jump over and overcome because it lies in the
way of his fulfilling his ambition of becoming the king of Scotland.

He then calls upon the stars to blot out their light. He does not want light to be thrown on the dark
desires and wishes that he has within or deep inside of him. He does not want the eye to see what
the hand does. He then says that even though the deed that he is thinking of doing is so terrible that
the eye will be afraid to look at it after it has been done, it should be done.

These lines clearly indicate that even before Lady Macbeth attempts to influence Macbeth’s mind, he
has already decided to kill Duncan. He feels intense aversion to the deed of murder but has an
intense desire to get what the deed of murder will accomplish.

( Macbeth exits.)

DUNCAN

True, worthy Banquo; he is full so valiant,

And in his commendations I am fed;

It is a banquet to me. Let's after him,

Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome:

It is a peerless kinsman.

Meaning of words/phrases:

full so: so very

in his commendations I am fed/ It is a banquet to me: It is like a feast for Duncan to praise Macbeth

peerless: matchless

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo seems to have been praising Macbeth while Macbeth thinking of
killing Duncan. In response to Banquo’s words of praise for Macbeth, Duncan agrees with him and
says that Macbeth is so very courageous. Praising Macbeth is like a feast for Duncan.
Duncan then proposes that they follow or go after Macbeth whose consideration for Duncan’s well-
being has made him go ahead of them to extend a welcome to Duncan when arrives at Inverness.

Duncan, who is completely unaware of the thoughts that have been going through Macbeth’s mind,
refers to him as a kinsman who is ‘peerless’ or without an equal.

Flourish. Exeunt

( Duncan and all those attending on him exit. Trumpet are blown as they leave. )

Act 1 scene 5 (Original Text and Paraphrase)

 We meet Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most powerful female characters.

 She is reading a letter from her husband in which he has told her of his encounter with the
witches.

 She feels that her husband is ambitious but is too full of the milk of human kindness to do
what is necessary to fulfill his ambition for greatness.

 A messenger arrives to inform her that Duncan is coming to Inverness that very night.

 In a very emotionally charged soliloquy, she calls upon evil spirits to render her devoid of
compunction or uneasiness of conscience.

 Macbeth arrives and Lady Macbeth uses her persuasive skills to prepare him to do what is
necessary to achieve the kingship and power that he seeks.

 She advises him not to let his face reveal the thoughts that are troubling his mind.

PAGE 13 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Inverness: Macbeth’s castle. Enter Lady Macbeth alone, with a letter.

LADY MACBETH

'They met me in the day of success: and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in
them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made
themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from
the king, who all-hailed me

Meaning of words/phrases:

perfectest report: the most reliable information

mortal knowledge: human comprehension

rapt: lost in thought

missives: messengers

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth enters reading a letter from Macbeth. In the letter, he tells
her that he met the three Witches on the day of his victory in the battle against the rebels forces led
by Macdonwald and Sweno, the king of Norway. Macbeth writes that he has now come to know on
the basis of the most reliable information that these Witches have knowledge of things that are
beyond human comprehension. When Macbeth was consumed by the strong wish to ask the
Witches more questions, they changed themselves into air and disappeared or dissolved into the
air.

As Macbeth stood lost in thought , messengers from the king arrived and all of them wholeheartedly
greeted him.

PAGE 14 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred

me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee,
my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant
of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.'

Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be

What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature;

It is too full o' the milk of human kindness

To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;

Art not without ambition, but without

The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,

That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,

And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great Glamis,

That which cries 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;

And that which rather thou dost fear to do

Than wishest should be undone.' Hie thee hither,

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;

And chastise with the valour of my tongue

All that impedes thee from the golden round,

Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem

To have thee crown'd withal.

Enter a Messenger

What is your tidings?

Meaning of words/phrases:

deliver thee: report to you

lose the dues: go without your share

chastise: drive away

valour of my tongue: the forcefulness of her words

impedes: keeps from achieving

metaphysical: supernatural

withal: with

Paraphrase of the lines: The messengers greeted Macbeth by addressing him as the Thane of
Cawdor, This was the title with which, only a little while before, those same Witches had saluted or
greeted him. Those Witches had also made a prediction about Macbeth’s future, saying that he
would become the King of Scotland. Macbeth has thought it desirable to communicate this news to
Lady Macbeth, his dearest partner of greatness, so that she does not miss out on her share of
rejoicing or feeling great joy and delight, by remaining unaware of the greatness that has been
promised to her. Macbeth asks his wife, in his letter, to keep this information close to her heart so
that it may make her happy. He then ends his letter by bidding her goodbye.

After Lady Macbeth has read her husband’s letter, she speaks to herself. She says that her husband is
the Thane of Glamis at present and in addition to this, he is the Thane of Cawdor. He will certainly be
what he has been promised in the prediction of the Witches, meaning, he will be the King of
Scotland.

However, Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth possesses far too much kindness and compassion that is
a natural quality that all human beings possess. Due to this, he cannot or will not seize the most
convenient means of achieving greatness. Macbeth does possess the desire to attain greatness. He is
not without the ambition to become great but he lacks the wickedness that must accompany
ambition, if ambition is to be achieved.

Macbeth wants to achieve the ambition that he greatly aspires for through fair, just and honourable
means. He will not act in a treacherous manner but he would like to attain that which is not truly
his.

Addressing the husband who is not not present at the moment, by one of his current titles, the
Thane of Glamis, Lady Macbeth says that what he would like to achieve demands that he adopt a
certain method if he wants to have what he desires, meaning , the crown. What he would like to
achieve demands that he carry out an act that he is more afraid to carry out himself than reluctant to
carry out. What Lady Macbeth means is that while Macbeth is afraid to carry out the murder of
Duncan himself, he is not undesirous of such an act taking place.

She wants her husband to come quickly to her so that she can speak to him in such a way as to infuse
her firmness of resolution into him. Using the power of her tongue to utter very persuasive words,
she will drive away from Macbeth’s mind, all thoughts that prevent him from doing what is required
to achieve the golden crown. She goes on to say that fate and supernatural assistance appear to have
endowed Macbeth with the golden crown or the throne of Scotland. They seem to have decided to
procure for him this golden crown. He simply needs to perform the act that is necessary to acquire
it.

MESSENGER

The king comes here to-night.

Paraphrase of the line: A messenger arrives to inform Lady Macbeth that Duncan is coming to
Inverness that very night.

LADY MACBETH

Thou'rt mad to say it:

Is not thy master with him? who, were't so,

Would have inform'd for preparation.

Paraphrase of the lines: Taken aback by this sudden news, Lady Macbeth tells the messenger that he
is crazy to say such a thing. She asks him if his master, Macbeth is not with Duncan. If the King were
really coming, Macbeth would have informed her to enable her to make necessary preparations.

MESSENGER

So please you, it is true: our thane is coming:

One of my fellows had the speed of him,

Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more

Than would make up his message.

Meaning of words/phrases:

had the speed of him: was faster than Macbeth and arrived at Inverness sooner than him

would make up his message: would be needed to deliver his message

Paraphrase of the lines: The messenger politely tells Lady Macbeth that it is true that the King is
coming to Inverness that night. Macbeth, the Thane of Cawdor, is on his way to the castle. One of the
messenger’s companions travelled faster than Macbeth and arrived at Inverness before Macbeth. He
had travelled so fast that he almost died of breathlessness. He had hardly more breath than was
necessary for him to deliver his message, meaning, he had barely enough breath left to deliver his
message.

PAGE 15 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

LADY MACBETH
Give him tending;

He brings great news.

Exit Messenger

The raven himself is hoarse

That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan

Under my battlements. Come, you spirits

That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,

And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full

Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;

Stop up the access and passage to remorse,

That no compunctious visitings of nature

Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between

The effect and it! Come to my woman's breasts,

And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,

Wherever in your sightless substances

You wait on nature's mischief! Come, thick night,

And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,

That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,

Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,

To cry 'Hold, hold!'

Enter MACBETH

Great Glamis! worthy Cawdor!

Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!

Thy letters have transported me beyond

This ignorant present, and I feel now

The future in the instant.

Meaning of words/phrases:

battlements: castle walls

direst cruelty: extreme cruelty

compunctious visitings of nature: natural scruples or uneasiness of conscience

fell: cruel

the effect: the fulfilment of Lady Macbeth’s purpose

gall: bitter fluid secreted by the liver

ministers : agents

sightless: invisible

pall: cover, shroud

dunnest: thickest and darkest

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth instructs the messenger to look after his companion, the
other messenger, because he has brought splendid news.

The messenger leaves and now, in a very dramatic, emotionally charged soliloquy, Lady Macbeth
compares the messenger who was breathless on reaching Inverness to deliver news of Duncan’s
arrival, with a raven or a bird of ill omen. She makes this comparison because the harsh, unpleasant
croaking of a raven is supposed to indicate that something unfortunate is about to take place, like the
death of someone. In the same way, the breathless messenger who somehow managed to deliver
the news of the arrival of Duncan, in a way, announced in an unpleasant manner, the impending
death of the king. Such a message would even make the raven hoarse and so, if the messenger got
breathless while delivering it, it is perfectly understandable. This is because Duncan’s entry within
the walls of Lady Macbeth’s castle will prove to be fatal for him. It will cost him his life.

Lady Macbeth now calls upon evil spirits that attend on ‘mortal thoughts’ or the murderous designs
and intentions of human beings. She asks them to take away her feminine qualities of compassion
and gentleness and fill her from the top of her head to her feet with the most extreme degree of
cruelty. She asks them to make her blood so thick that no feeling of guilt can find its way into it and
enter it. She wants this to be done so that no natural feelings of guilt can cause her to waver in her
cruel purpose or intervene between her evil intent and the fulfilment of it.

She asks all those murderous agents of evil, wherever in their invisible forms, they lie in wait for
some unnatural act of evil to take place, to come to her woman’s breasts and replace the milk in
them with a bitter fluid like gall, or poison. What she means is that she wants her womanly softness
and kindness to be replaced with bitterness and extreme cruelty. ( Since she is contemplating an
unnatural act like murder, she needs to have her natural femininity taken away from her because
only then will she be able to commit the murder of Duncan. )

Lady Macbeth asks the dark night to wrap or shroud itself in the thickest and darkest smoke of hell so
that even the sharp knife with which she shall stab Duncan is unable to see the wound that it inflicts,
and so that Heaven may not be able to peep through the thick covering of the dark to shout out to
her to stop and withhold her knife.

At this point, Macbeth enters and Lady Macbeth greets him with the titles of ‘great Thane of Glamis’,
which he already was, and with the title, ‘ worthy Thane of Cawdor’, which has just been conferred
on him. She then greets him by a title which will be greater than both of the other two titles. She
means that he will achieve a title that is greater than the other two titles because of the prophecy
made by the witches after they had greeted Macbeth by the titles of the Thane of Glamis and the
Thane of Cawdor.
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that his letters have enabled her to travel to a time beyond the present
which is unaware of what the future holds. Now, in this present moment, she feels the presence of
the future. In other words, she feels as if Macbeth has already become the King of Scotland.

MACBETH

My dearest love,

Duncan comes here to-night.

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth, who seems reluctant to discuss the second prophecy of the
Witches, affectionately tells his wife that Duncan is coming to their castle that night.

LADY MACBETH

And when goes hence?

Paraphrase of the line: Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth when Duncan will go ‘hence’ or from here,
meaning Inverness.

MACBETH

To-morrow, as he purposes.

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth replies that Duncan intends to go from here the next day.

LADY MACBETH

O, never

Shall sun that morrow see!

Your face, my thane, is as a book where men

May read strange matters. To beguile the time,

Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth fervently says that that tomorrow will never dawn when
Duncan will leave Inverness. She then tells Macbeth, whom she affectionately calls her thane, that
his face is like a book in which human beings can read of unnatural affairs. What she means is that
Macbeth’s facial expressions clearly indicate that strange, unnatural thoughts are troubling him. In
order to ‘beguile the time’ or deceive the world, Macbeth must adopt a facial expression that is
suitable for the occasion of the king’s arrival at their castle. Macbeth must have a welcoming
expression in his eyes.

PAGE 17 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)
Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower,

But be the serpent under't. He that's coming

Must be provided for: and you shall put

This night's great business into my dispatch;

Which shall to all our nights and days to come

Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth must convey a welcoming attitude towards Duncan through his
actions and his words. He must look like an innocent flower which is harmless in itself but which
conceals under it, a serpent, the bite of which can be fatal or deadly.

Lady Macbeth goes on to say that arrangements must be made for Duncan, the man who is coming.
She tells Macbeth to entrust to her the management of the important business or deed which will
give to all their nights and days in the future, absolute, supreme authority and power. ( She refers to
the murder of Duncan as ‘great business’ because she does not want to refer to it in direct terms. It
would be very dangerous for them if someone were to overhear them. Also, she wants to project the
plan to murder Duncan in a positive light, as simply a means to an end.)

MACBETH

We will speak further.

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth responds by telling his wife that they will talk more about this
later.

LADY MACBETH

Only look up clear;

To alter favour ever is to fear:

Leave all the rest to me.

Meaning of words/phrases:

clear: cheerful; keep one’s chin up and look unperturbed

To alter favour ever is to fear: changing one’s facial expression is always a sign of fear

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth ignores her husband’s attempt to avoid the subject of
murder. She tells him to only endeavour to look cheerful. He must keep his chin up and look
unperturbed. She tells him to do this because changing one’s normal or usual facial expression is
always a sign of fear and will arouse suspicion. She tells him to leave everything else to her.

( It seems that at this moment, she is determined to commit the murder herself because she does not
think her husband has the necessary ruthlessness and unscrupulousness to be able to do it himself. )

Exeunt
Act 1 scene 6 (Original Text and Paraphrase)

 Duncan arrives outside Macbeth’s castle and finds that it is very pleasantly situated.

 Lady Macbeth comes to receive him and the two exchange pleasantries.

 Duncan’s remarks about the pleasantness of the atmosphere surrounding the castle where
he is to be murdered are dramatically ironic.

 There is an implied comparison between Duncan and Christ. Christ was regarded as the
supreme example of love in his giving himself up for mankind. He asked for nothing more but
love in return. In the same way, Duncan has been a kind and benevolent king, showering
favours on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. In return, he wants nothing but love and loyalty.

 This scene is the final calm before the storm.

 In immediate contrast to the enclosed darkness of the previous scene, is the open, light
naturalness of this one.

PAGE 17 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Inverness: approaching Macbeth’s castle. Hautboys, and torches. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm,
Donaldbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and Attendants.

Meaning of words/phrases:

hautboy: the smaller and higher sounding version of an instrument called an oboe ( an oboe has a
sound that is like a snake charmer’s pipe) - Hautboys are being played to indicate the arrival of
Duncan but Shakespeare may have chosen to have them played to create an ominous atmosphere.

DUNCAN

This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air

Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself

Unto our gentle senses.

Meaning of words/phrases:

pleasant seat: pleasant surroundings or situation

nimbly: referring to freshness

recommends itself: comes forward to make its merits apparent

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan remarks that Macbeth’s castle, Inverness, is situated in pleasant
surroundings. The air swiftly and in a pleasing manner, comes forward to make its merits felt and
appeal to his refined sensibilities.
In simple terms, what Duncan means is that the air that surrounds Macbeth’s castle is always fresh
and blows in such a way that it delights and pleases his refined senses, so much so that he cannot
help being very aware of it and appreciating it.

( NOTE: These lines are an example of dramatic irony. Dramatic irony refers to the audience
knowing something about a situation or character that the speaker does not know. Even the
weather here is deceptive. Duncan has no idea that he is about to be murdered in the castle that is
situated in such pleasant surroundings and where the air is so fresh.)

BANQUO

This guest of summer,

The temple-haunting martlet, does approve,

By his loved mansionry, that the heaven's breath

Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze,

Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird

Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle:

Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed,

The air is delicate.

Meaning of words/phrases:

temple-haunting martlet: refers to a common bird found in England that would build its nest in
churches

approve: prove

lov’d mansionry: love of building nests

heaven’s breath: the breeze which blows from heaven

wooingly: invitingly

jutty: projecting part of a building

frieze: a line of stone slabs often decorated with sculpture, placed above the columns of buildings

buttress: support built against wall

coign of vantage: advantageous corner; suitable or convenient corner

pendent bed: hanging nest

procreant cradle: nest in which the bird breeds or gives birth to young ones

breed: lay eggs and hatch them

haunt: frequent or visit

delicate: gentle and soothing

Paraphrase of the lines: Banquo replies that the fact that ‘heaven’s breath’ or the breeze that blows
from heaven does indeed blow in a pleasing and inviting manner here is proven by the presence of
the bird called the martlet. He refers to the martlet as a ‘guest of summer’ or a bird that is seen here
during the summer. He also refers to it as ‘temple haunting’ because it is often seen to inhabit and
build its nest in churches.

There is no projection, frieze, buttress or convenient corner where this bird has not built its hanging
nest where it can lay eggs and hatch them. Banquo has observed that wherever these birds dwell
and lay their eggs to raise their young ones, the air is gentle and soothing.

( NOTE: Banquo and Duncan only see the martlet, a bird associated with piety and domestic
harmony. They fail to see or hear the bird of ill omen, the raven, mentioned earlier by Lady
Macbeth.

A martin also meant a dupe in Elizabethan England. A dupe was someone who could be tricked. )

PAGE 18 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

(Enter LADY MACBETH)

DUNCAN
See, see, our honour'd hostess!
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you
How you shall bid God yield us for your pains,
And thank us for your trouble.

Meaning of words/phrases:

yield us: reward the king

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan acknowledges their honoured hostess, Lady Macbeth’s coming
towards them. By using the adjective ‘honoured’ for her, Duncan means that she is worthy of praise
and respect.

He then tells her that the love that others have for him sometimes is a source of much botheration to
him but he appreciates it all the same because it shows that people really do love him.

In the same way, his having come to Inverness to impose himself as a guest on Lady Macbeth will be
troublesome for Lady Macbeth. However, in doing so because of his love for Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth, Duncan is teaching Lady Macbeth to ask God to reward him for the trouble that he is
causing her, and to thank Duncan for troubling her. In simple terms, Duncan is telling Lady Macbeth
that his act of troubling her out of his love for her has taught her to pray for the good of those who
trouble her out of love for her.

This is a polite way of apologising for the trouble he is causing her by unexpectedly imposing himself
on her as a guest.

LADY MACBETH

All our service

In every point twice done and then done double

Were poor and single business to contend

Against those honours deep and broad wherewith

Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,

And the late dignities heap'd up to them,

We rest your hermits.

Meaning of words/phrases:

single: slight; trivial

to contend against: to compete with

broad: wide-ranging

wherewith: with which

rest: remain

hermits: those who must pray for Duncan

Paraphrase of the line: Lady Macbeth responds by saying that all the service that they are capable of
rendering to Duncan, even if it were performed twice in every detail, and then done twice again,
would seem to be very inferior, slight and trivial service in comparison with the great and wide-
ranging honours which Duncan has kept on bestowing on Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s family. For
the honours that he has conferred upon them in the past and for those which he has recently added
to them, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth remain indebted to Duncan and will always be obliged to pray
for him.

DUNCAN

Where's the thane of Cawdor?

We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose

To be his purveyor: but he rides well;

And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath holp him

To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,

We are your guest to-night.

Meaning of words/phrases:

coursed him at the heels: followed Macbeth at great speed

purveyor: officer sent in advance to arrange for food and supplies for the main party

spur: a device with a small spike that is worn on a rider’s heel to prod the horse and urge it to move
fast
hath holp: has helped

Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan asks where Macbeth, the new Thane of Cawdor is. Using a
metaphor from hunting, Duncan says that he and his royal party followed Macbeth at great speed
just like a hunter pursues its prey. It is ironic that he is going to be the prey of Macbeth.

Duncan says that he intended being Macbeth’s purveyor or the officer who was sent in advance to
arrange for food and supplies for the main party. What Duncan means is that he intended reaching
Inverness before Macbeth but could not because Macbeth is a fast rider.

Furthermore, the great love that he has for Duncan acted just like a spur does to make a horse move
fast. His great love for Duncan drove him to ride very fast and has helped him to reach his home
before the king.

Complimenting Lady Macbeth by calling her his fair or beautiful and noble or honourable hostess,
Duncan tells her that he is to be her guest for the night.

This line is deeply ironic because Lady Macbeth is anything but ‘honourable’.

LADY MACBETH

Your servants ever

Have theirs, themselves and what is theirs, in count

To make their audit at your highness' pleasure,

Still to return your own.

Meaning of words/phrases:

what is theirs: refers to their servants

in count: in trust, meaning, to keep or hold on to something on behalf of someone else

still: always

make their audit: give an account

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth and she will always be Duncan’s servants.
They, all that they have, and their servants belong to Duncan. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth simply
hold on to it all in trust, meaning, on behalf of Duncan and are ready to give an account of all that
they have, to him.

This means that they are accountable to him and whenever he wants them to, they will always be
willing to return to him, all that he owns. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, all their possessions and all
their servants will always be at the disposal of Duncan, to be used by him and to serve him in any
way that he wishes because they all belong to him.

DUNCAN
Give me your hand;
Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly,
And shall continue our graces towards him.
By your leave, hostess.

(Exeunt)
Paraphrase of the lines: Duncan asks Lady Macbeth to give him her hand and to lead him to his host,
Macbeth. He says that he loves Macbeth dearly and shall continue to bestow gracious gifts, rewards
and honours upon him.

Duncan asks Lady Macbeth for her permission to kiss her on the cheek to show his regard for her. (
This was an English and Scottish custom.)

(Everyone leaves the stage.)

Act 1 scene 7 (Original Text and Paraphrase)

 Macbeth has left the banquet hall before the ceremonial supper for Duncan is over, to
wrestle with his thoughts. This symbolises his growing isolation.

 The banquet is the Last Supper for the Christ-like Duncan.

 In a soliloquy, he voices his feelings regarding committing the heinous act of murder.

 He cites reasons why he should not commit the murder.

 Lady Macbeth enters at the conclusion of his soliloquy and reproaches him for having left the
banquet hall.

 Macbeth tells her that they will not go through with the murder.

 She accuses Macbeth of not loving her and of lacking manhood.

 She uses the forcefulness of her words to convince him to carry out the deed.

 When he worries about what will happen if they fail, she assures him that they will not fail if
they summon up enough courage.

 She tells him that Duncan will be sound asleep because of his tiring journey and his two
chamberlains will be plied with alcohol so that they will be in a drunken sleep.

 Macbeth is reassured by her words and proposes that they use the daggers of the two men
to kill Duncan and then smear them with Duncan’s blood so that suspicion will fall on them.

 Lady Macbeth agrees and the host and hostess return to their royal guest with false,
treacherous smiles.

PAGE 19 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Inside Macbeth’s castle. Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and
service over the stage. Then enter MACBETH

Meaning of words/phrases:

hautboy: a reed instrument similar to the modern oboe

Sewer: a servant who carried in and arranged dishes for a banquet

divers: various

MACBETH

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well

It were done quickly: if the 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,

But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,

We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases

We still have judgment here; that we but teach

Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return

To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice

Commends the ingredients of our poison'd 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,

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;

And pity, like a naked new-born babe,

Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, 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

To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself

And falls on the other.

Meaning of words/phrases:

If it were done when ‘tis done: if the doing of the deed were the end of it - This is an echo of Christ’s
words to Judas, the man who betrayed him. Christ had said to him, “ That thou doest, do quickly.”
The Christ-like Duncan is having his Last Supper.

trammel up: entangle, like catching in a net

surcease: end

but this blow: so that this blow or attack on Duncan

be-all and the end-all: all that is needed to be done

upon this bank and shoal of time: Life on earth is seen as simply a sandbank in the ocean of eternity (
Eternity refers to life continuing without end after death.)

jump the life to come: skip over, give up or forget about judgement in the afterlife; would risk facing
judgement in the afterlife or life after death

still: always

teach bloody instructions: We teach others how to commit murder by following our example

even-handed: fairly balanced; impartial

Commends: recommends; prescribes; offers

ingredience of our poisoned chalice: the mixture of ingredients or the content of our poisoned
ceremonial ornamental cup used in religious ceremonies

He’s here in double trust: Duncan trusts Macbeth for two reasons.

kinsman: relative

Hath borne his faculties so meek: has exercised his powers in so humble a manner

So clear in his great office: so spotless, so guiltless in the manner in which he has carried out the
duties of his great position as king

trumpet-tongued: loud and clear, like the last trumpet which announces the Day of Judgment and
the end of the world

deep damnation: extremely sinful and devilish act

striding the blast: riding over the storm of indignation and public anger, and anger of the heavens,
that will be unleashed if Duncan is murdered

cherubin: cherubim - the highest order of angels, often represented as children with wings

sightless couriers of the air : the invisible messengers - the wind

spur: motivating factor or driving force

to prick the sides of my intent: to drive Macbeth on and cause him to fulfill his intention; to act as a
stimulus to fulfill his intention

vaulting: excessive

o’erleaps itself: overestimates its capacity to leap over obstacles - Macbeth is afraid to try to leap too
high - to become too ambitious.

th’ other: the other side

Paraphrase of the lines: In a soliloquy, Macbeth says that if the murder of Duncan were to end once
and for all as soon as it is committed, if the doing of the deed were the end of it, then it would be
desirable to commit it quickly. If the murder itself could prevent or entangle, like in a net, any
consequences or repercussions, and could bring Macbeth success with the end or death of Duncan, if
the single deadly blow inflicted on Duncan by Macbeth could be all that is needed to be done to put
an end to Macbeth’s cares and concerns regarding becoming king, if Macbeth would not have to face
any judgement on this earth and in this life, which is a sandbank in the vast ocean of eternity, he
would then commit the murder and jump or forget about judgement in the afterlife, meaning, he
would take the risk of facing whatever judgement would be pronounced for him in the afterlife or life
after death.

However, in such cases, human beings always receive punishment on the earth itself in the sense
that by committing murder, they only teach others how to murder and once murderous acts have
been taught to others, by following the example of the murderer, they torment the person who
initiated the violent act of murder. In other words, a heinous act of murder committed against
someone will eventually turn against the murderer as he will have to face a similar fate because what
goes around, comes around. Macbeth is concerned that if he becomes king by murdering Duncan, he
will be murdered in turn.

Justice is impartial and recommends, prescribes or offers the ingredients or contents of a poisoned
cup of wine that one intended to offer someone else, to one’s own lips. Hence, one becomes the
victim of one’s own efforts to harm others.

( NOTE: A ‘chalice’ is an ornamental cup used in religious ceremonies in church. The use of this
word here suggests something sacred being used for an act of treachery. It reminds us of the
sacrilegious and unholy nature of what Macbeth is about to do.)

Macbeth goes on to remind himself that Duncan is staying at his castle as a guest. He has placed his
trust in Macbeth for two reasons because of which Macbeth has a double responsibility towards
him. Firstly, Macbeth is his relative and his subject. Both these facts are strong reasons to dissuade or
discourage Macbeth from committing the deed.

Secondly, as Duncan’s host, it is Macbeth’s duty to protect him from any possible murderer and not
to hold and use a murderous knife himself. In addition to these reasons, Duncan has exercised his
royal powers or authority in so humble a manner, he has been so spotless and guiltless in carrying
out the duties of his great position as king that his virtues or good qualities will plead on his behalf
against the extremely sinful, wicked act and hellish act of his murder. The act would be so terrible
that it would lead to ‘deep damnation’ (being condemned to go to Hell) for the man who betrays
Duncan. His virtues will plead like angels, in voices that are loud, clear and penetrating like the
sound of trumpets, particularly like the last trumpet which announces the Day of Judgment and the
end of the world.

If Duncan is murdered, the feeling of pity, like a naked, helpless, new-born infant, will rise above the
storm of horror and indignation that will be unleashed by Duncan’s murder. Pity will also assume the
form of a cherubim from heaven, meaning an angel belonging to the highest order of angels that is
represented as a small child with [Link] will ride upon the winds which can be regarded as invisible
messengers and announce the horrible act of assassination to all of Scotland. Just as when the wind
blows dust into human eyes, tears are caused, when news of the horrific deed spreads, tears of
sorrow and sympathy will flow from the eyes of the people in such abundance that these tears will
overcome the storm of anger that the horrific act of Duncan’s murder will give rise to.

Here, human pity is being viewed in two ways. It is innocent, helpless and vulnerable, like a new-born
baby that needs to be nourished and protected. It is also seen as a very powerful force that is
capable of soaring over or riding upon a storm of anger like a rider straddling a horse or sitting on the
horse with one leg on either side.

What this means is that once the people of Scotland hear of Duncan’s murder, the feeling of pity that
they will feel will make them shed tears of sorrow and helplessness at first. This overwhelming sense
of pity or sympathy they will have for their murdered king will overcome the anger they will feel. It is
possible that this pity will then assume a very powerful form and will lead to a public backlash
against the man who committed the heinous act of murder. So, Macbeth is very afraid of public
reaction, of how the people of Scotland will retaliate if he murders their beloved king.

Macbeth then realises that there is no incentive or motivating factor to drive him on and make him
fulfill his intention, except for his excessive ambition which is like a horse that overestimates its
capacity to leap over obstacles. So, it tries to jump too high and falls on the other side of the fence.
Macbeth’s excessive ambition is also like an overenthusiastic rider who climbs to the saddle so rashly
that he falls to the ground on the other side of the horse.

Macbeth is afraid of the dangerous consequences of being overambitious.

PAGE 20 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

Enter LADY MACBETH ( She is seen as the ‘spur’ other than his excessive ambition that will drive
Macbeth to action.)

How now! what news?

Meaning of words/phrases:

How now : Well, then ( a form of greeting)

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth greets his wife and asks her what the current situation is in the
banquet hall or room.

LADY MACBETH

He has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber?

Paraphrase of the line: Lady Macbeth replies that Duncan has almost finished with his supper. She
asks her husband why he left the banquet hall or room. She perhaps feels that his having come away
could arouse suspicion.

MACBETH

Hath he ask'd for me?

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth asks Lady Macbeth if Duncan has inquired about him and has asked
her where Macbeth is.

LADY MACBETH

Know you not he has?

Paraphrase of the line: Annoyed with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth asks him if he does not know that
Duncan has asked for him. What she means is that Duncan would obviously ask for Macbeth on
noticing his absence at the table.

(NOTE: This quick exchange of short questions between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth indicates that
they are both nervous and tense right now.)

MACBETH

We will proceed no further in this business:

He hath honour'd 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.

Meaning of words/phrases:

bought: earned

Golden opinions: favourable opinons

gloss: brightness

cast aside: thrown away; discarded

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth tells his wife that they will not proceed any further in the plan to
murder Duncan. Duncan has recently conferred honours on Macbeth. Macbeth has also earned the
favourable opinions and appreciation of all kinds of people. These favourable opinions are like new
clothes which should be worn with all their fresh brightness and not discarded so soon. Macbeth
means that he should enjoy the appreciation and favourable opinions that he has earned from all
kinds of people and not commit a deed that will cause him to quickly lose this good opinion that
people have of him

LADY MACBETH

Was the hope drunk

Wherein you dress'd 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 afeard

To be the same in thine own act and valour

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' the adage?

Meaning of words/phrases:

green: sickly; nauseated, as in the morning after drunkenness

account: regard as

afeared: afraid

esteem’st: value as; consider to be

the ornament of life: the highest honour; the greatest achievement one could think of

wait upon: accompany; follow

adage: proverb

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth contemptuously asks Macbeth if it was a drunken hope with
which he had clothed himself earlier. She wants to know if his earlier desire or hope to become king
was the result of his being inebriated or drunk. She asks if as a result of the excessive alcohol
consumed by him, that hope had been sleeping since then and now wakes up to view in a sickly,
bloodless manner, what it was so willing to accomplish earlier, just like a cowardly drunk who wakes
up with a hangover and then is too scared to carry out the deed that he was so willing to carry out
when he was drunk

She says that from this moment onwards, she will regard Macbeth’s expressions of love for her as the
false, insincere declarations made by a drunkard. She asks Macbeth if he is afraid of performing the
action and displaying the courage that is demanded by his desire to become king. She asks Macbeth
if he is afraid to be the same in courageous action as he is in terms of desiring to be king.

She asks Macbeth if he would entertain the desire to possess what he considers to be the highest
honour of life, meaning the crown of Scotland, but live like a coward, in his own opinion of himself,
by causing a lack of courage to accompany or follow his desire to become king. She asks Macbeth if
he wants to be compared to the poor cat that, according to a proverb, wanted to eat the fish in a
pond but did not try catching any fish because she did not want to wet her feet by venturing into the
water.
MACBETH

Prithee, peace:

I dare do all that may become a man;

Who dares do more is none.

Meaning of words/phrases:

Prithee: I request you

peace: be quiet

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth urges Lady Macbeth to be quiet. He says that he has the courage
to do everything that is suitable for or worthy of being carried out by a man. If there is anyone who
can do something greater than he can, then that person is not human. He is a monster or a
supernatural being.

LADY MACBETH

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

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

Meaning of words/phrases:

break this enterprise: tell her about this undertaking or action

durst: dared

adhere: suit the purpose

unmake you: unnerve him; make him lose courage

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth what monstrous urge it was then, that had
made him reveal this murderous undertaking to him. She tells him that when he had the courage to
fulfill it, then he was a man. By doing what was needed to rise to a position that was higher than the
one he already held, Macbeth would have proven himself to be all the more a man. Neither the time
nor the place to commit the deed was suitable earlier. Yet, Macbeth had wanted to make them
suitable to carry out the deed. Now that both time and place have made themselves available to
Macbeth but their being suitable and available now unnerves Macbeth and shakes his resolve to kill
Duncan.

Lady Macbeth goes on to say that she has suckled her children at her breast.

PAGE 21 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:

I would, while it was smiling in my face,

Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,

And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you

Have done to this.

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth knows how deep the love is that a mother feels for the infant
that sucks millk from her breast. Yet, if she had taken a vow, like Macbeth has, to commit the
murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth would have pulled the nipple of her breast out from the toothless
gums of her baby while it was smiling lovingly at her and would have flung it against a hard surface
like a wall or the floor causing it to die due to the impact of its head hitting that hard surface.

Lady Macbeth implies that despite being a woman, she is more of a ‘man’ in terms of displaying
courage and resolve than Macbeth is.

MACBETH

If we should fail?

Paraphrase of the line: Macbeth asks what would happen if their plan to kill Duncan and acquire the
crown fails.

He is very worried about failure because in Elizabethan times, the king or the queen was believed to
be the representative of God on earth. There was only one punishment for any act of treachery or sin
committed against the king or queen - execution.

LADY MACBETH

We fail!

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

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 lie as in a death,

What cannot you and I perform upon

The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon

His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt

Of our great quell?

Meaning of words/phrases:

But: merely; simply

screw your courage to the sticking-place: tighten his courage to its utmost limit, just like the strings of
a lute or modern guitar are tightened to tune the instrument.

The metaphor could also be from the crossbow, a weapon that was fixed onto a larger piece of wood
and with which one could shoot short, heavy arrows. The ‘sticking place’ was the notch or groove at
the end of the arrow into which the string fitted when sufficiently ‘screwed up’ or wound up and
tightened, ready to release the arrow.

Soundly: most certainly

chamberlains: attendants of the bedchamber or bedroom of Duncan

wassail: festivity; merrymaking which involves drinking alcohol

convince: overpower; overcome

warder: sentinel or guard

fume: vapour; intoxicated haze

receipt: receptacle or container

limbeck: an alchemist’s distilling flask ( an alchemist was someone who would practise alchemy - the
practice of trying to change ordinary metals like lead or copper into silver and gold )

swinish sleep: fast asleep like pigs

drenched: drunk; completely soaked in alcohol

put upon: blame with

spongy: sponge-like; completely drunk, having absorbed alcohol like a sponge absorbs liquid

quell: the killing of someone; murder

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth rhetorically asks Macbeth how they can possibly fail. He must
merely screw or tighten his courage as much as he can, to its utmost limit, just like the strings of a
lute or modern guitar are tightened to tune the instrument, and they will not fail.
 Lady Macbeth could also be using the metaphor of a crossbow which was a weapon that was fixed
onto a larger piece of wood and with which one could shoot short, heavy arrows. The ‘sticking place’
was the notch or groove at the end of the arrow into which the string fitted when sufficiently
‘screwed up’ or wound up and tightened, ready to release the arrow.

So, Macbeth must stretch or tighten his courage as much as he can, just like the string of a crossbow
would have to be tightened before it could fit in the notch of the arrow to release it.

An indirect reference to a crossbow is symbolic of the violent death that is suddenly going to be let
loose or inflicted on Duncan when Macbeth tightens his courage to its utmost limit.

Lady Macbeth reminds Macbeth that Duncan has had a difficult and tiring journey which is certain to
induce in him a sound sleep. When he has fallen asleep, Lady Macbeth will engage Duncan’s two
chamberlains in merrymaking that will involve offering them wine and alcohol. They will be so
overcome or overpowered by this alcohol that memory, which is like a sentinel or guard of the brain (
because the Elizabethans believed that the brain was divided into three chambers - with Imagination
at the front, Reason in the middle and Memory at the back- so….memory, being at the back of the
brain, kept watch over the rest of the brain like a sentinel or guard) shall be converted into a vapour
or intoxicated haze. The brain, which is like a receptacle or container of reason or rational thought,
will become a mere alembic or the distilling-flask of an alchemist.

Just as the distilling-flask of an alchemist is filled with vapour when liquid is heated in it, the brains of
the two chamberlains will become mere vessels containing alcohol which will make their brains foggy
or hazy, meaning, confused and incapable of rational thought.

When these chamberlains, with their minds completely drowned or soaked in alcohol, lie fast asleep
like pigs and are no better than dead men, there is no act that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth cannot
carry out on the unprotected Duncan. There is no blame that they cannot place on his completely
drunk guards. They will have to bear responsibility for the great killing or murder that Macbeth and
Lady Macbeth will commit.

( NOTE: Lady Macbeth uses the term ‘great quell’ instead of ‘murder’ to make their deed sound
very impressive and not like a shameful act of treachery.)

MACBETH

Bring forth men-children only;

For thy undaunted mettle should compose

Nothing but males. Will it not be received,

When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two

Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,

That they have done't?

Meaning of words/phrases:

Bring forth: Give birth to

undaunted mettle: invincible spirit

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth has now been completely swayed by the words of his wife. He tells
her that she is so brave a woman that she should give birth only to male children. He tells his wife
that he has such an invincible spirit that she should create or be the mother of males only. [The play
was written centuries ago. So, ladies…….don’t try to kill Shakespeare. It would serve no purpose. The
man is already dead! :) ]

Macbeth now plans to smear with blood the two sleepy chamberlains of Duncan, and to use the very
daggers which belong to them. Then, it will definitely be believed that the murder was committed by
them.

PAGE 22 (The notes and word meanings given in your textbooks must also be read.)

LADY MACBETH

Who dares receive it other,

As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar

Upon his death?

Meaning of words/phrases:

other: anything else; any other version

clamour: noise

Paraphrase of the lines: Lady Macbeth replies that no one can dare believe anything else because
Macbeth and she will make a very loud expression of their grief. They will create an uproar or a loud
and impassioned noise when Duncan is found dead.

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.

Meaning of words/phrases:

settled: decided; resolved

bend up: stretch; strain

corporal agent: physical faculty

feat: great, difficult deed or act

mock the time: deceive people at this present time

fairest show: an appearance of innocence and goodness

Paraphrase of the lines: Macbeth says that he has now made up his mind. He has decided to carry
out the deed. He is determined to do so.

He is willing to strain every physical faculty or part of his body to perform this terrible deed.

( He uses the word ‘feat’ to convince himself that what he is about to do is an extraordinary act that
requires great courage and skill. He is trying to convince himself that it is not the shameful, dastardly
act that he knows it is.)

He then tells his wife that they must go and deceive everybody at this present time and moment
with an appearance of innocence and goodness. The deceitful expression of loyalty, goodness and
innocence on the face must conceal the treacherous, wicked intentions of the heart.

(NOTE: Macbeth is now completely under the influence of his wife. Without realising it, he repeats
the words of his wife in Act 1 scene 5 when she had said to him:

“To beguile the time,

Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye,

Your hand, your tongue; look like th’ innocent flower,

But be the serpent under ‘t” )

Exeunt