Macbeth by William Shakespeare Adapted by Bryon Cahill

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Macbeth By William Shakespeare Adapted by Bryon Cahill

Witch 2: Upon the heath. Soldier: Indeed it did. But our captains CHARACTERS Witch 3: There to meet with Macbeth. doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. They charged into battle, and that is when (main characters in boldface) All witches: Fair is foul, and foul is fair. I fell. O but I am faint. My gashes cry for Narrators 1, 2, 3 Hover through the fog and filthy air! help. Witches 1, 2, 3 Narrator 2: The witches vanish. Duncan: You fought bravely, friend. Thank Duncan, king of Scotland you for your words. You will have the best Malcolm, Duncan’s son SCENE 2 surgeons and will make a speedy Soldier Narrator 3: At a military camp, King recovery. Ross, a nobleman of Scotland Duncan is attended by his sons, Malcolm Narr 1: Duncan orders that the soldier be Macbeth, a general in the king’s army and Donalbain. They are standing over a carried away immediately. Banquo, a general in the king’s army bloody soldier. Narr 2: Ross, a nobleman, comes running Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife Duncan: What bloody man is that? Lennox, a nobleman of Scotland to the king. Macduff, a nobleman of Scotland Malcolm: Father, this is the sergeant who Ross: God save the king! Donalbain, Duncan’s son fought valiantly to save me from capture. Speak, good friend! Tell your king what Duncan: Where are you coming from, Murderers 1, 2 happened here. worthy thane? Gentlewoman Doctor Soldier: The merciless and rebellious Ross: From Fife, great king, where the Young soldier Macdonald led the Irish to this place, my Norwegian army is in shambles. Scotland king. We fought bravely for Scotland, but is victorious! it was brave Macbeth who deserves all

Duncan: No more shall the thane of K C

glory. With his brandished steel, he O

Cawdor deceive our interests. Go now, fair T S

carved out a path through the battle. He Ross, pronounce his death to all. And R SCENE 1 E P

reached the traitorous Macdonald and bring his former title to greet Macbeth. U S Narrator 1: Lightning streaks across the / carved him from the navel to the jaw N O

sky over a Scottish moor. Thunder cracks Ross: I’ll see it done. D

and then fixed his head upon our N O

as three witches appear. L

battlements. Duncan: What he hath lost, noble Macbeth , Y R

Witch 1: When shall we three meet again? hath won. A

Duncan: O valiant cousin! O worthy R B In thunder, lightning, or in rain? I L

gentleman! SCENE 3 T R

Witch 2: When the hurlyburly’s done, A Soldier: And no sooner did Macbeth N when the battle’s lost and won. Narr 3: Upon the heath, the three witches A defeat our enemy than the Norwegian M E

appear. G Witch 3: Then we shall meet, upon the lord began a fresh assault. D I R B setting sun. Duncan: Witch 1: Where hast thou been, sister?

Did this not dismay our captains, © Witch 1: Where? Macbeth and Banquo? Witch 2: Killing swine.

® 1 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare Witch 3: A drum! A drum! Macbeth doth Witch 3: Thou shalt get kings, though thou Donalbain, are with him. come! be none. Duncan: Welcome! I have heard of your Narr 1: Macbeth and Banquo arrive. Narr 1: The witches vanish. great deeds in battle, and I commend Macbeth: So foul and fair a day I have not Banquo: The earth hath bubbles as water thee! Noble Banquo, I hold thee in my seen. has, and these are them. heart. Narr 2: Banquo and Macbeth notice the Narr 2: Macbeth stares at Banquo. Banquo: There if I grow, the harvest is your own. witches. Macbeth: Your sons shall be kings. Duncan: And Macbeth! Newly named Banquo: What are these? They look so Banquo: You shall be king! withered and wild. They cannot be inhabi- thane of Cawdor! I am glad you have tants of this earth. You should be women, Macbeth: And thane of Cawdor, too, it come. For today, I name my son Malcolm but your beards forbid me to interpret that would seem. the prince of Cumberland! He shall be king when I am gone. you are so. Narr 3: Ross arrives. He brings Macbeth Macbeth: Speak, if you can. What are you? the news that the king has named him Narr 2: Macbeth tries to understand this. thane of Cawdor. He speaks to himself. Witch 1: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! Narr 1: Macbeth is overwhelmed. He Macbeth: Prince of Cumberland? That is a speaks quietly, to himself. step on which I must overleap. How am I Witch 2: All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, to be king if Malcolm stands in my way? thane of Cawdor! Macbeth: So I am thane of Cawdor, then. How will I become king? O present fears Duncan: We shall celebrate at Macbeth’s Witch 3: All hail, Macbeth, that shall be are worse than horrible imaginings. My castle in Inverness.

king hereafter! K thought, whose murder yet is fantastical, Macbeth: My king, I must go ahead and C O T Narr 3: Macbeth is silent. It is true that he shakes my general state. tell my wife of your approach. I take my S R E is the thane of Glamis but not the thane leave. P Narr 2: Macbeth shakes off the idea of U S / of Cawdor … and certainly not king. . becoming king and addresses Banquo. Narr 3: Macbeth exits ahead of the royal D T L

Banquo: If these are prophecies of the party. T

Macbeth: Let us speak of these things at N future you speak, then speak to me. I E another time. M E neither beg nor fear your favors nor your SCENE 5 G A N hate. A

Narr 1: At Inverness, Lady Macbeth is M

SCENE 4 T

Witch 1: Hail, Banquo. Lesser than reading a letter from her husband. In it, E S

Narr 3: Macbeth and Banquo are led to S A

Macbeth, and greater. Macbeth describes the witches’ prophecy meet the king at his palace. E G Witch 2: Not so happy, yet happier. and his promotion to thane of Cawdor. A M I Narr 1: The king’s sons, Malcolm and

Narr 2: An attendant enters the room and ©

® 2 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare announces that the king is on his way to Lady Macbeth: Art thou afraid to be the dreamed of the three witches, and Inverness and that Macbeth rides ahead same in your act and valor as thou art in Macbeth says he has not given them any of the royal party. The attendant leaves desire? Do not be a coward. thought. Banquo and his son head off to Lady Macbeth. Macbeth: Peace. I dare do all that become bed. Lady Macbeth: (to herself) The raven a man. Who dares do more is not a man. Macbeth: (to himself) Is this a dagger which himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal Lady Macbeth: You were resigned to do it I see before me, the handle toward my entrance of King Duncan under my roof. before. Then you were a man. And you hand? Come, let me clutch thee. Come, you spirits that tend on mortal can be more than what you were. You can Narr 3: Macbeth tries to grasp the dagger thoughts! Strip me of my womanhood and be so much more a man. he sees in the air. But he cannot touch it. make thick my blood! Macbeth alone does not have the strength to do what must be Narr 2: Macbeth thinks on this. Macbeth: I have thee not, and yet I see done. Macbeth: And if we should fail? thee still. Art thou not a fatal vision? Art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false Narr 3: Macbeth arrives and enters the Lady Macbeth: We fail? Have courage, and creation proceeding from the heat- room. we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep, I oppressed brain? I see thee still. Thou Lady Macbeth: Great Glamis! Worthy will invite his two attendants to drink wine lead’st me the way that I was going. Cawdor! Greater than both and all here- with me. When they fall to swinish sleep, Duncan will be unguarded. You can smear Narr 1: Macbeth follows the ghostly after! I have received your letter, and I feel dagger. now that our future is upon us! the king’s blood on their faces and the blame will fall on them. Macbeth: Mine eyes are made the fools of Macbeth: My dearest love, Duncan comes my other senses. I see thee still and on here tonight. Macbeth: I am settled. Bring forth this terrible feat. False face must hide what the thy blade are gouts of blood. Ah, there’s Lady Macbeth: And when is he planning to false heart doth know. no such thing. It is the bloody business leave? which informs thee to mine eyes. Macbeth: Tomorrow. SCENE 7 Narr 2: A bell rings somewhere in the Lady Macbeth: O never shall he see Narr 3: It is nighttime at Inverness. castle. K tomorrow’s sun. Banquo is walking the halls with his son, Macbeth: I go, and it is done. The bell C O T Fleance. invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a S R

Narr 1: Macbeth is silent. E

knell that summons thee to heaven or to P Banquo: A heavy summons lies like lead U S / Lady Macbeth: Your face, my thane, is a hell. . upon me. And yet I cannot sleep. D T book where men may read strange L

T matters. You must look like the innocent Narr 1: Banquo hears a noise. SCENE 8 N E M flower but be the serpent underneath. Banquo: Who’s there? E Narr 3: Lady Macbeth is awake in her G A N

Macbeth: He is coming. We shall speak on Macbeth: A friend. room. She cannot imagine how Macbeth A M

this further. could fail. She laid the daggers out herself. T E

Banquo: What, sir? Are you not at rest? S S A Lady Macbeth: Leave all the rest to me. The king’s asleep. He hath been in Narr 1: Macbeth enters the room. E G unusual pleasure as of late. Macbeth: I have done the deed. Didst thou A M

SCENE 6 I

Narr 2: Banquo admits that he has hear a noise? © Narr 2: King Duncan, Banquo, and the royal party arrive at Inverness. Lady Macbeth meets them at the front of the castle and welcomes them. She leads them inside. Narr 3: Macbeth is in a far room of the castle. He is considering whether he should murder his king. Macbeth: (to himself) Duncan is here now. He trusts me well. I am his kinsman and his subject. And today, I am his host. Who am I to murder a virtuous king? I have no reason to do so, other than my own ambi- tion. And that is not reason enough. Narr 1: Lady Macbeth enters the room. Macbeth: How now? What news? Lady Macbeth: The king has had dinner, and he asks for you. Macbeth: We will proceed no further with this business.

® 3 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare Lady Macbeth: I heard the owl scream and every noise appalls me? Macbeth: What is it? the crickets cry. Narr 3: Macbeth looks at his hands. Macduff: Approach the chamber and see Macbeth: When? Macbeth: What hands are here? Ha! They for yourselves. Lady Macbeth: Now. pluck out mine eyes! Will all great Narr 1: Macbeth and Lennox enter the Macbeth: As I descended? Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean king’s chamber. Macduff screams to wake from my hand? the castle. Lady Macbeth: Ay. Narr 1: Lady Macbeth returns. Her hands Macduff: Awake! Awake! Ring the alarm Narr 2: Macbeth looks at his bloody are now bloody as well. bell! Murder and treason! Banquo and hands. Lady Macbeth: There is a knocking at the Donalbain! Malcolm! As from your graves, Macbeth: This is a sorry sight. south entry. Let us retire to our chamber. rise up and walk like sprites to lay your eyes on this horror! Lady Macbeth: A foolish thought to say “a A little water will clear us of this deed. sorry sight.” Macbeth: To know my deed, ’twere best Narr 2: Lady Macbeth enters. Macbeth: One of the king’s attendants not know myself. Macduff: O gentle lady, ’tis not for you to cried out in his sleep. “Murder!” he said, Narr 2: The knocking continues. It is even hear what I speak. and that did wake the other. I hid behind a louder now. Narr 3: Banquo enters. curtain and listened as they said their prayers and fell back to sleep. When they Macbeth: Wake Duncan with thy knocking! Macduff: O Banquo, Banquo! Our royal said “Amen,” I tried to say it with them I would thou couldst! master’s murdered! but had “Amen” stuck in my throat. Lady Macbeth: Woe, alas! In our house? Lady Macbeth: We must not think of these ‘Sleep no more! Banquo: Too cruel anywhere. deeds. They will make us mad. Narr 1: The king’s sons, Malcolm and Narr 3: Macbeth ignores her and Macbeth doth Donalbain, enter. Meanwhile, Macbeth continues to speak, as if in a trance. and Lennox return from the king’s inner Macbeth: I thought I heard a voice cry, murder sleep!’ chamber. “Sleep no more! Macbeth doth murder Donalbain: What is amiss? sleep!”—the innocent sleep. The sleep SCENE 9 Macbeth: You are and don’t know it. that knits up the raveled sleeve of care. The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s Narr 3: In the early hours of morning, Macduff: Your royal father’s been bath. Macduff and Lennox, noblemen of Scot- murdered. land, arrive at Inverness to attend to the Lady Macbeth: What do you speak of ? Lennox: It seems that his attendants have king. done the deed. Their hands and faces Macbeth: Still it cried, “Sleep no more! Narr 1: Macbeth goes to the door and were drenched in his blood. Their daggers, Glamis hath murdered sleep and therefore welcomes them. unwiped, were found upon their pillows. shall sleep no more!” Lennox: Good morrow, noble sir! Macbeth: I could not hold back my fury.I Lady Macbeth: Who was it that thus cried? killed the foul traitors just now. It was no one. You do unbend your noble Macbeth: Good morrow, both. strength to think so brainsickly of things. Macduff: Is the king stirring, worthy Narr 2: Everyone is shocked into silence. Go, get some water and wash this filthy thane? Lady Macbeth: Help me hence, ho! witness from your hands. Macbeth: Not yet. Banquo: Look to the lady! Narr 1: Now Lady Macbeth notices the Narr 3: Lady Macbeth faints. Banquo daggers in Macbeth’s hand. Macduff: He did command me to call upon him at this early hour. carries her back to her chamber. Lady Macbeth: Why did you bring these Narr 1: Everyone except the king’s sons daggers from that place? They must lie Macbeth: I’ll bring you to him. follows them. there. Go, carry them, and smear the Narr 2: Macbeth leads Macduff and sleepy attendants with the king’s blood. Lennox to the king’s chamber. As they Malcolm: We must flee this place. We are not safe here. I’ll go to England. Macbeth: I’ll go no more. I am afraid to walk, Lennox tells Macbeth of awful think what I have done. Look on it again, I storms they had to travel through. Donalbain: And to Ireland, I. Our sepa- dare not. Lennox: The night has been unruly. Our rated fortune shall keep us both safer. There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near Lady Macbeth: Give me the daggers then! chimneys were blown down, and at times in blood, the nearer bloody. The sleeping and the dead are but it seemed that strange screams of death filled the air. pictures. ’Tis the eye of childhood that SCENE 10 fears a painted devil. Macbeth: ’Twas a rough night, indeed. Narr 2: Fearing for their lives, Malcolm and Narr 2: Lady Macbeth leaves the room. Narr 3: They reach the king’s chamber Donalbain flee Scotland after the murder Macbeth is startled by a knocking from door. Macduff is the first to enter. of their father, King Duncan. Because they somewhere in the castle. Macduff: O horror, horror, horror! flee, many people believe they had some- Macbeth: (to himself) How is it with me that Lennox: What’s the matter? thing to do with the king’s death.

® 4 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare SCENE 11 Narr 3: In the absence of Malcolm and will breed. Narr 1: Inside the palace, Macbeth and Donalbain, Macbeth is crowned king. The Narr 3: Macbeth dismisses the murderer Lady Macbeth enter the dining hall. Ross, witches’ prophecy has come true, and yet and returns to his subjects. Macbeth is restless. Lennox, lords, and attendants rise from their seats when the king and queen enter. Lennox: May it please your highness to sit? Narr 1: King Macbeth recalls the second part of the witches’ prophecy: that Macbeth: You know your place well. Now Narr 1: Macbeth looks to his chair and Banquo’s heir will be king someday. sit down, and let us enjoy a hearty sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in it Macbeth enlists two murderers to welcome. Macbeth: Banquo! It cannot be! ensure that that part of the prophecy Lennox: Thanks to your majesty. Ross: Banquo’s absence, sir, is truly a does not come true. Any qualms treachery unknown. Think not on Banquo, Macbeth may have had about murder Ross: Thanks to your majesty. my lord. But grace us with your royal are long gone. Narr 2: One of the murderers enters the company. Narr 2: The murderers wait outside the hall discreetly, and Macbeth walks over to Narr 2: Macbeth stares in horror straight palace. It is eerily quiet. him. at Banquo’s ghost. Murderer 1: The west yet glimmers with Macbeth: There’s blood upon thy face. Macbeth: (softly) The table’s full. some streaks of day. Murderer 1: ’Tis Banquo’s. Narr 3: Everyone is shocked. They see Narr 3: Banquo and his son, Fleance, Macbeth: Is he dispatched? King Macbeth staring at an empty chair. approach the murderers. Murderer 1: My lord, his throat is cut. That Macbeth: Which one of you hath done Murderer 2: Here comes the subject of I did for him. this? our watch. Macbeth: Thou art the best of the Lennox: Done what, my good lord? Murderer 1: ’Tis he! cutthroats. And Fleance? Macbeth: (to Banquo’s ghost) Thou canst Murderer 2: Stand to it. Murderer 1: Most royal sir … Fleance has not say I did it. Do not shake thy gory escaped. Banquo: (to Fleance) It will be rain tonight. head at me! Macbeth: Then comes my fit again. I had Murderer 1: Let it come down. Ross: Gentlemen, rise. His highness is not else been perfect. The crown I wear is well. Narr 1: The murderers emerge from the heavy. But Banquo’s surely safe? shadows and attack Banquo. Lady Macbeth: No, sit, worthy friends. My Murderer 1: Ay, my good lord. Safe in a lord does often fall under these strange Banquo: O treachery! Fly, good Fleance! ditch, he bides. With 20 trenched gashes spells. The fit is momentary and shall Fly, fly, fly! in his head. The least of which, a death to pass. Narr 2: Banquo is overcome and dies. nature. Narr 1: Lady Macbeth rises and takes Macbeth: Thanks for that. There the grown Narr 3: Fleance escapes. Macbeth aside. His eyes are still stuck on serpent lies. But the worm that’s fled hath Banquo’s ghost. nature that, in time, revenge and venom Lady Macbeth: (aside to Macbeth) Are you a man? Macbeth: Ay, and a bold one, that dare look upon that sight that would appall the devil. Lady Macbeth: O for heaven’s sake! This is the very painting of your fear! This is the same air-drawn dagger which, you said, led you to Duncan! O these flaws are shame itself! Why do you make such faces when all is done? Why do you look

upon an empty chair? K C O T Narr 2: Banquo’s ghost rises from the chair S R E

and disappears. P U S / N

Macbeth: He is gone. But I swear to you I O D

saw him. N O L

, Y

Narr 3: Macbeth now looks upon his R A R

guests. B I L

Macbeth: (to the entire hall) Do forgive me, R A

worthy friends. I have a strange infirmity N A M E G

vocab D I

* R

QUALMS: uneasy feelings B

® 5 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare which is nothing. Come, let’s have some Lady Macbeth: You lack sleep, my lord. Narr 1: A gentlewoman who attends to wine and good health to all! Come, let’s to bed. Lady Macbeth calls a doctor one night to come and witness the sleepwalking Narr 1: Macbeth heads toward the empty Macbeth: Yes. Sleep. My strange fears spectacle. chair, but Banquo’s ghost reappears and weigh heavy on me. We are but young in sits in it again. the deed. Gentlewoman: Every night she rises and mutters terrible things in her sleeping Macbeth: (screaming) Away! And quit my Narr 1: Outside the palace, Lennox and state. sight! Let the earth hide thee! Thy blood is another lord talk about the evening’s events. Doctor: What have you heard her say? cold! Narr 2: Banquo’s body has been discov- Narr 2: Lady Macbeth apologizes to all ered and his son, Fleance, has fled. Gentlewoman: That, sir, I will not report. and asks that they leave her husband for Though the blame of Banquo’s death is You must hear for yourself. Look, here she the evening. As they exit the hall, placed on Fleance, Lennox and many comes now. Banquo’s ghost once more disappears. others suspect Macbeth. Narr 2: Lady Macbeth enters the room. Macbeth: It will have blood, they say. Narr 3: Meanwhile, in England, Macduff Her eyes are wide-open, but she is sleep- Blood will have blood. has joined King Duncan’s son Malcolm. walking. She looks down at her hands. Narr 3: Macbeth comes back to himself They suspect Macbeth in Duncan’s Lady Macbeth: Yet here’s a spot. murder. Together, they prepare for war. and approaches his wife. Doctor: Hark! She speaks in defiance of Macbeth: Where is Macduff this evening? SCENE 12 sleep! Why is he not present? Narr 1: Macbeth is weary and does not Narr 3: Lady Macbeth begins rubbing her Lady Macbeth: Did you send for him? know how to proceed. He hears of a cave hands together furiously. Macbeth: (in confusion) I do not know. But I nearby that houses three weird sisters. He Lady Macbeth: Out, damned spot! Out, I will send for him, and he will come. goes there to consult the witches about say! Who would have thought the old man Strange things I have in my head. their prophecies. to have had so much blood in him? Witch 1: By the pricking of my thumbs, Doctor: We should not be privy to this. something wicked this way comes. These are foul-sounding words, indeed! Macbeth: How now, you secret, black, and Lady Macbeth: I smell this blood on my midnight hags! I demand that you show hands still. All the perfumes of Arabia me the nature of your prophecies! could not sweeten this little hand. Narr 2: The witches stir some heinous Doctor: Her mind is not well. But look, ingredients into a cauldron, and an image she washes some invisible blood from of a floating head appears. The appari- her hands! tion tells Macbeth to beware Macduff. Gentlewoman: It is the same thing every Narr 3: Then a new image of a bloody night. And now, she will go back to child comes bubbling to the surface. The her bed. ghostly child tells Macbeth that no man that was born of a woman could ever Narr 1: Lady Macbeth returns to her harm him. It also tells him that he will be room. safe until Birnam Wood moves toward SCENE 14 his castle. Narr 2: The English army of 10,000 strong Macbeth: A forest that moves? That can has advanced into Scotland. They stop never be. briefly at Birnam Wood. Malcolm orders Narr 1: Macbeth leaves the witches and every soldier to cut down a branch from returns to his castle, where he learns that a tree and advance on Dunsinane.In Macduff has fled to England but has left doing so, he hopes to disguise their

his wife and children behind. He orders great numbers. K C O

that Macduff’s family be slain, and his T S

Narr 3: A woman’s shriek echoes R

orders are carried out. E throughout the castle. P U S Narr 2: In England, Macduff gets word / N

Macbeth: What is that noise? O that his entire family has been murdered. D N O

Narr 1: An attendant comes running with L

He swears allegiance to Malcolm, and he , Y

swears revenge on Macbeth. the news that Lady Macbeth’s plunge into R A R

madness has ended her. She has B I L

SCENE 13 committed suicide. T R A

Narr 3: Things are not right with Lady N A

vocab M

Macbeth. Her mind has been burdened * E G

APPARITION: a ghost D with treason and murder, and she has I R B been sleepwalking lately. DEFIANCE: a daring or bold resistance ©

® 6 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare Macbeth: Thou was born of woman. Swords I laugh at. Weapons I scorn brandished by man that’s of a woman born! Narr 3: Macduff enters the castle and meets Macbeth with swordplay. Macbeth: Of all men else I have avoided thee. But get thee back. My soul has taken enough blood from you already. Macduff: I have no words. My voice is in my sword, thou bloody villain! Narr 1: The two men’s swords clang and echo through the great hall. The fight moves from room to room. Macbeth: Your efforts are worthless. Your keen sword will not make me bleed. For I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born. Macduff: Despair thy charm and know this—Macduff was untimely ripped from his mother’s womb. Macbeth: It cannot be true! I’ll not fight with thee then. Macduff: Then yield thee, coward! Narr 2: Macbeth does not yield. His rage Macbeth: castle in a rage preparing for war, Macduff controls his sword with blazing speed. She should have died hereafter; has led his army to the front gates of Macbeth: I will not yield to kiss the ground There would have been a time for such a Dunsinane. Here, all 10,000 soldiers cast before Malcolm’s feet. Though Birnam word. aside their branches. Wood has come to Dunsinane. And thou To-morrow, and to-morrow, and Narr 1: Soon the ranks begin to file into opposed, being of no woman born. Yet I to-morrow, the castle. Macbeth, dressed in full armor, will fight. Before my body I throw the Creeps in the petty pace from day to day, flies from soldier to soldier, killing warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff! And To the last syllable of recorded time; everyone in his path. damned be him that first cries, “Hold, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools enough!” The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief Narr 2: A young soldier now faces candle! Macbeth. SCENE 16 Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player Young soldier: What is thy name? Narr 3: That struts and frets his hour upon the Outside the castle walls, Malcolm Macbeth: Thou would be afraid to hear it. stage stands tall among the English soldiers. And then is heard no more. It is a tale Narr 3: The young soldier does not appear Narr 1: They look to the castle gate and Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, to be afraid. He stands, ready to fight for see Macduff coming toward them. In his Signifying nothing. England. hand, he holds Macbeth’s severed head. Narr 2: A messenger comes to the castle Macbeth: My name’s Macbeth. Macduff: Hail, king! Behold the usurper’s and informs Macbeth that the forest is Narr 1: On hearing his name, the young cursed head. Hail, king of Scotland! Y

moving toward them. Macbeth can hardly R

soldier summons up all his courage. Narr 2: The entire army cheers for A believe it is true, yet he recalls the R B

Malcolm. Once again, Scotland will have I L witches’ prophecy. Young soldier: The devil himself could not I T

its rightful king. R

pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear. A

Macbeth: So let it come. Let he who was N A

Macbeth: No, nor more fearful. M

never born of woman show his face E G D before me. Hang out our banners on the Narr 2: The young soldier lunges at I R B outward walls! Our castle’s strength will Macbeth. They fight. Macbeth stabs him, E H T scorn their siege. We will beat them back- and the young soldier dies. / L ward to their home! Ring the alarm bell! O O H

Blow, wind! Come, wrack! At least we’ll C S vocab * H die with harness on our back. S Weekly Reader grants teacher-subscribers of READ permission to I

SIEGE: an attack L

reproduce these pages for use in their classrooms only. Copyright G N

® 7 November 30, 2007 | www.weeklyreader.com/shakespeare