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Act 4, Scene 3 — England. Before the King’s Palace.
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The argument England. Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to be even worse than Macbeth. Macduff passes the test. Ross arrives and reveals that Macduff's family has been slaughtered. Macduff's grief is devastating. Malcolm calls him to convert grief into action.
Enter Malcolm and Macduff.
MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Let us seek out some desolate shade and there

Weep our sad bosoms empty.

Let us seek out some desolate shade and there Weep our sad bosoms empty.

let us seek out some desolate shade and there weep our sad bosoms empty.

let us seek out some desolate shade and there weep our sad b

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

Let us rather

Hold fast the mortal sword, and, like good men,

Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom. Each new morn

New widows howl, new orphans cry; new sorrows

Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds

As if it felt with Scotland, and yell’d out

Like syllable of dolour.

Let us rather Hold fast the mortal sword, and, like good men, Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom. Each new morn New widows howl, new orphans cry; new sorrows Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds As if it felt with Scotland, and yell’d out Like syllable of dolour.

let us rather hold fast the mortal sword, and, like good men, bestride our down-fall’n birthdom. each new morn new widows howl, new orphans cry; new sorrows strike heaven on the face, that it resounds as if it felt with scotland, and yell’d out like syllable of dolour.

let us rather hold fast the mortal sword, and, like good men

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

What I believe, I’ll wail;

What know, believe; and what I can redress,

As I shall find the time to friend, I will.

What you have spoke, it may be so, perchance.

This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues,

Was once thought honest: you have loved him well;

He hath not touch’d you yet. I am young; but something

You may deserve of him through me; and wisdom

To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb

To appease an angry god.

What I believe, I’ll wail; What know, believe; and what I can redress, As I shall find the time to friend, I will. What you have spoke, it may be so, perchance. This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, Was once thought honest: you have loved him well; He hath not touch’d you yet. I am young; but something You may deserve of him through me; and wisdom To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb To appease an angry god.

what i believe, i’ll wail; what know, believe; and what i can redress, as i shall find the time to friend, i will. what you have spoke, it may be so, perchance. this tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest: you have loved him well; he hath not touch’d you yet. i am young; but something you may deserve of him through me; and wisdom to offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb to appease an angry god.

what i believe, i’ll wail; what know, believe; and what i ca

MACDUFF MACDUFF

I am not treacherous.

I am not treacherous.

i am not treacherous.

i am not treacherous.

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

But Macbeth is.

A good and virtuous nature may recoil

In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon.

That which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose.

Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell:

Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace,

Yet grace must still look so.

But Macbeth is. A good and virtuous nature may recoil In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon. That which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose. Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell: Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so.

but macbeth is. a good and virtuous nature may recoil in an imperial charge. but i shall crave your pardon. that which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose. angels are bright still, though the brightest fell: though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, yet grace must still look so.

but macbeth is. a good and virtuous nature may recoil in an

MACDUFF MACDUFF

I have lost my hopes.

I have lost my hopes.

i have lost my hopes.

i have lost my hopes.

🎭 Dramatic irony The audience has witnessed 4-2 — Lady Macduff and the Boy's deaths in full. When Ross says 'they were well at peace,' the audience's knowledge of what 'at peace' means here is total and devastating. We carry what Ross is trying not to say.
MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Perchance even there where I did find my doubts.

Why in that rawness left you wife and child,

Those precious motives, those strong knots of love,

Without leave-taking?—I pray you,

Let not my jealousies be your dishonours,

But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just,

Whatever I shall think.

Perchance even there where I did find my doubts. Why in that rawness left you wife and child, Those precious motives, those strong knots of love, Without leave-taking?—I pray you, Let not my jealousies be your dishonours, But mine own safeties. You may be rightly just, Whatever I shall think.

perchance even there where i did find my doubts. why in that rawness left you wife and child, those precious motives, those strong knots of love, without leave-taking?—i pray you, let not my jealousies be your dishonours, but mine own safeties. you may be rightly just, whatever i shall think.

perchance even there where i did find my doubts. why in that

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

Bleed, bleed, poor country!

Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure,

For goodness dare not check thee! wear thou thy wrongs;

The title is affeer’d.—Fare thee well, lord:

I would not be the villain that thou think’st

For the whole space that’s in the tyrant’s grasp

And the rich East to boot.

Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, For goodness dare not check thee! wear thou thy wrongs; The title is affeer’d.—Fare thee well, lord: I would not be the villain that thou think’st For the whole space that’s in the tyrant’s grasp And the rich East to boot.

bleed, bleed, poor country! great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure, for goodness dare not check thee! wear thou thy wrongs; the title is affeer’d.—fare thee well, lord: i would not be the villain that thou think’st for the whole space that’s in the tyrant’s grasp and the rich east to boot.

bleed, bleed, poor country! great tyranny, lay thou thy basi

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Be not offended:

I speak not as in absolute fear of you.

I think our country sinks beneath the yoke;

It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash

Is added to her wounds. I think, withal,

There would be hands uplifted in my right;

And here, from gracious England, have I offer

Of goodly thousands: but, for all this,

When I shall tread upon the tyrant’s head,

Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country

Shall have more vices than it had before,

More suffer, and more sundry ways than ever,

By him that shall succeed.

Be not offended: I speak not as in absolute fear of you. I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash Is added to her wounds. I think, withal, There would be hands uplifted in my right; And here, from gracious England, have I offer Of goodly thousands: but, for all this, When I shall tread upon the tyrant’s head, Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country Shall have more vices than it had before, More suffer, and more sundry ways than ever, By him that shall succeed.

be not offended: i speak not as in absolute fear of you. i think our country sinks beneath the yoke; it weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash is added to her wounds. i think, withal, there would be hands uplifted in my right; and here, from gracious england, have i offer of goodly thousands: but, for all this, when i shall tread upon the tyrant’s head, or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country shall have more vices than it had before, more suffer, and more sundry ways than ever, by him that shall succeed.

be not offended: i speak not as in absolute fear of you. i t

MACDUFF MACDUFF

What should he be?

What should he be?

what should he be?

what should he be?

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

It is myself I mean; in whom I know

All the particulars of vice so grafted

That, when they shall be open’d, black Macbeth

Will seem as pure as snow; and the poor state

Esteem him as a lamb, being compar’d

With my confineless harms.

It is myself I mean; in whom I know All the particulars of vice so grafted That, when they shall be open’d, black Macbeth Will seem as pure as snow; and the poor state Esteem him as a lamb, being compar’d With my confineless harms.

it is myself i mean; in whom i know all the particulars of vice so grafted that, when they shall be open’d, black macbeth will seem as pure as snow; and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compar’d with my confineless harms.

it is myself i mean; in whom i know all the particulars of v

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

Not in the legions

Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d

In evils to top Macbeth.

Not in the legions Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d In evils to top Macbeth.

not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d in evils to top macbeth.

not in the legions of horrid hell can come a devil more damn

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

I grant him bloody,

Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,

Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin

That has a name: but there’s no bottom, none,

In my voluptuousness: your wives, your daughters,

Your matrons, and your maids, could not fill up

The cistern of my lust; and my desire

All continent impediments would o’erbear,

That did oppose my will: better Macbeth

Than such an one to reign.

I grant him bloody, Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin That has a name: but there’s no bottom, none, In my voluptuousness: your wives, your daughters, Your matrons, and your maids, could not fill up The cistern of my lust; and my desire All continent impediments would o’erbear, That did oppose my will: better Macbeth Than such an one to reign.

i grant him bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has a name: but there’s no bottom, none, in my voluptuousness: your wives, your daughters, your matrons, and your maids, could not fill up the cistern of my lust; and my desire all continent impediments would o’erbear, that did oppose my will: better macbeth than such an one to reign.

i grant him bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

Boundless intemperance

In nature is a tyranny; it hath been

Th’ untimely emptying of the happy throne,

And fall of many kings. But fear not yet

To take upon you what is yours: you may

Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty,

And yet seem cold—the time you may so hoodwink.

We have willing dames enough; there cannot be

That vulture in you, to devour so many

As will to greatness dedicate themselves,

Finding it so inclin’d.

Boundless intemperance In nature is a tyranny; it hath been Th’ untimely emptying of the happy throne, And fall of many kings. But fear not yet To take upon you what is yours: you may Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty, And yet seem cold—the time you may so hoodwink. We have willing dames enough; there cannot be That vulture in you, to devour so many As will to greatness dedicate themselves, Finding it so inclin’d.

boundless intemperance in nature is a tyranny; it hath been th’ untimely emptying of the happy throne, and fall of many kings. but fear not yet to take upon you what is yours: you may convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty, and yet seem cold—the time you may so hoodwink. we have willing dames enough; there cannot be that vulture in you, to devour so many as will to greatness dedicate themselves, finding it so inclin’d.

boundless intemperance in nature is a tyranny; it hath been

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

With this there grows

In my most ill-compos’d affection such

A staunchless avarice, that, were I king,

I should cut off the nobles for their lands;

Desire his jewels, and this other’s house:

And my more-having would be as a sauce

To make me hunger more; that I should forge

Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,

Destroying them for wealth.

With this there grows In my most ill-compos’d affection such A staunchless avarice, that, were I king, I should cut off the nobles for their lands; Desire his jewels, and this other’s house: And my more-having would be as a sauce To make me hunger more; that I should forge Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, Destroying them for wealth.

with this there grows in my most ill-compos’d affection such a staunchless avarice, that, were i king, i should cut off the nobles for their lands; desire his jewels, and this other’s house: and my more-having would be as a sauce to make me hunger more; that i should forge quarrels unjust against the good and loyal, destroying them for wealth.

with this there grows in my most ill-compos’d affection such

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

This avarice

Sticks deeper; grows with more pernicious root

Than summer-seeming lust; and it hath been

The sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear;

Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will,

Of your mere own. All these are portable,

With other graces weigh’d.

This avarice Sticks deeper; grows with more pernicious root Than summer-seeming lust; and it hath been The sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear; Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will, Of your mere own. All these are portable, With other graces weigh’d.

this avarice sticks deeper; grows with more pernicious root than summer-seeming lust; and it hath been the sword of our slain kings: yet do not fear; scotland hath foisons to fill up your will, of your mere own. all these are portable, with other graces weigh’d.

this avarice sticks deeper; grows with more pernicious root

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

But I have none: the king-becoming graces,

As justice, verity, temp’rance, stableness,

Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness,

Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude,

I have no relish of them; but abound

In the division of each several crime,

Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should

Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell,

Uproar the universal peace, confound

All unity on earth.

But I have none: the king-becoming graces, As justice, verity, temp’rance, stableness, Bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, Devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, I have no relish of them; but abound In the division of each several crime, Acting it many ways. Nay, had I power, I should Pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, Uproar the universal peace, confound All unity on earth.

but i have none: the king-becoming graces, as justice, verity, temp’rance, stableness, bounty, perseverance, mercy, lowliness, devotion, patience, courage, fortitude, i have no relish of them; but abound in the division of each several crime, acting it many ways. nay, had i power, i should pour the sweet milk of concord into hell, uproar the universal peace, confound all unity on earth.

but i have none: the king-becoming graces, as justice, verit

MACDUFF MACDUFF

O Scotland, Scotland!

O Scotland, Scotland!

o scotland, scotland!

o scotland, scotland!

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

If such a one be fit to govern, speak:

I am as I have spoken.

If such a one be fit to govern, speak: I am as I have spoken.

if such a one be fit to govern, speak: i am as i have spoken.

if such a one be fit to govern, speak: i am as i have spoken

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

Fit to govern?

No, not to live.—O nation miserable,

With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter’d,

When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again,

Since that the truest issue of thy throne

By his own interdiction stands accus’d,

And does blaspheme his breed? Thy royal father

Was a most sainted king. The queen that bore thee,

Oft’ner upon her knees than on her feet,

Died every day she lived. Fare thee well!

These evils thou repeat’st upon thyself

Have banish’d me from Scotland.—O my breast,

Thy hope ends here!

Fit to govern? No, not to live.—O nation miserable, With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter’d, When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again, Since that the truest issue of thy throne By his own interdiction stands accus’d, And does blaspheme his breed? Thy royal father Was a most sainted king. The queen that bore thee, Oft’ner upon her knees than on her feet, Died every day she lived. Fare thee well! These evils thou repeat’st upon thyself Have banish’d me from Scotland.—O my breast, Thy hope ends here!

fit to govern? no, not to live.—o nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter’d, when shalt thou see thy wholesome days again, since that the truest issue of thy throne by his own interdiction stands accus’d, and does blaspheme his breed? thy royal father was a most sainted king. the queen that bore thee, oft’ner upon her knees than on her feet, died every day she lived. fare thee well! these evils thou repeat’st upon thyself have banish’d me from scotland.—o my breast, thy hope ends here!

fit to govern? no, not to live.—o nation miserable, with an

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Macduff, this noble passion,

Child of integrity, hath from my soul

Wiped the black scruples, reconcil’d my thoughts

To thy good truth and honour. Devilish Macbeth

By many of these trains hath sought to win me

Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me

From over-credulous haste: but God above

Deal between thee and me! for even now

I put myself to thy direction, and

Unspeak mine own detraction; here abjure

The taints and blames I laid upon myself,

For strangers to my nature. I am yet

Unknown to woman; never was forsworn;

Scarcely have coveted what was mine own;

At no time broke my faith; would not betray

The devil to his fellow; and delight

No less in truth than life: my first false speaking

Was this upon myself. What I am truly,

Is thine and my poor country’s to command:

Whither, indeed, before thy here-approach,

Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men,

Already at a point, was setting forth.

Now we’ll together, and the chance of goodness

Be like our warranted quarrel. Why are you silent?

Macduff, this noble passion, Child of integrity, hath from my soul Wiped the black scruples, reconcil’d my thoughts To thy good truth and honour. Devilish Macbeth By many of these trains hath sought to win me Into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me From over-credulous haste: but God above Deal between thee and me! for even now I put myself to thy direction, and Unspeak mine own detraction; here abjure The taints and blames I laid upon myself, For strangers to my nature. I am yet Unknown to woman; never was forsworn; Scarcely have coveted what was mine own; At no time broke my faith; would not betray The devil to his fellow; and delight No less in truth than life: my first false speaking Was this upon myself. What I am truly, Is thine and my poor country’s to command: Whither, indeed, before thy here-approach, Old Siward, with ten thousand warlike men, Already at a point, was setting forth. Now we’ll together, and the chance of goodness Be like our warranted quarrel. Why are you silent?

macduff, this noble passion, child of integrity, hath from my soul wiped the black scruples, reconcil’d my thoughts to thy good truth and honour. devilish macbeth by many of these trains hath sought to win me into his power, and modest wisdom plucks me from over-credulous haste: but god above deal between thee and me! for even now i put myself to thy direction, and unspeak mine own detraction; here abjure the taints and blames i laid upon myself, for strangers to my nature. i am yet unknown to woman; never was forsworn; scarcely have coveted what was mine own; at no time broke my faith; would not betray the devil to his fellow; and delight no less in truth than life: my first false speaking was this upon myself. what i am truly, is thine and my poor country’s to command: whither, indeed, before thy here-approach, old siward, with ten thousand warlike men, already at a point, was setting forth. now we’ll together, and the chance of goodness be like our warranted quarrel. why are you silent?

macduff, this noble passion, child of integrity, hath from m

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

Such welcome and unwelcome things at once

’Tis hard to reconcile.

Such welcome and unwelcome things at once ’Tis hard to reconcile.

such welcome and unwelcome things at once ’tis hard to reconcile.

such welcome and unwelcome things at once ’tis hard to recon

Enter a Doctor.
MALCOLM MALCOLM

Well; more anon.—Comes the King forth, I pray you?

Well; more anon.—Comes the King forth, I pray you?

well; more anon.—comes the king forth, i pray you?

well; more anon.—comes the king forth, i pray you?

DOCTOR ≋ verse DOCTOR

Ay, sir. There are a crew of wretched souls

That stay his cure: their malady convinces

The great assay of art; but at his touch,

Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand,

They presently amend.

Ay, sir. There are a crew of wretched souls That stay his cure: their malady convinces The great assay of art; but at his touch, Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand, They presently amend.

ay, sir. there are a crew of wretched souls that stay his cure: their malady convinces the great assay of art; but at his touch, such sanctity hath heaven given his hand, they presently amend.

ay, sir. there are a crew of wretched souls that stay his cu

MALCOLM MALCOLM

I thank you, doctor.

I thank you, doctor.

i thank you, doctor.

i thank you, doctor.

[_Exit Doctor._]
MACDUFF MACDUFF

What’s the disease he means?

What’s the disease he means?

what’s the disease he means?

what’s the disease he means?

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

’Tis call’d the evil:

A most miraculous work in this good king;

Which often, since my here-remain in England,

I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven,

Himself best knows, but strangely-visited people,

All swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,

The mere despair of surgery, he cures;

Hanging a golden stamp about their necks,

Put on with holy prayers: and ’tis spoken,

To the succeeding royalty he leaves

The healing benediction. With this strange virtue,

He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy;

And sundry blessings hang about his throne,

That speak him full of grace.

’Tis call’d the evil: A most miraculous work in this good king; Which often, since my here-remain in England, I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven, Himself best knows, but strangely-visited people, All swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, The mere despair of surgery, he cures; Hanging a golden stamp about their necks, Put on with holy prayers: and ’tis spoken, To the succeeding royalty he leaves The healing benediction. With this strange virtue, He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy; And sundry blessings hang about his throne, That speak him full of grace.

’tis call’d the evil: a most miraculous work in this good king; which often, since my here-remain in england, i have seen him do. how he solicits heaven, himself best knows, but strangely-visited people, all swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye, the mere despair of surgery, he cures; hanging a golden stamp about their necks, put on with holy prayers: and ’tis spoken, to the succeeding royalty he leaves the healing benediction. with this strange virtue, he hath a heavenly gift of prophecy; and sundry blessings hang about his throne, that speak him full of grace.

’tis call’d the evil: a most miraculous work in this good ki

Enter Ross.
MACDUFF MACDUFF

See, who comes here?

See, who comes here?

see, who comes here?

see, who comes here?

MALCOLM MALCOLM

My countryman; but yet I know him not.

My countryman; but yet I know him not.

my countryman; but yet i know him not.

my countryman; but yet i know him not.

MACDUFF MACDUFF

My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither.

My ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither.

my ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither.

my ever-gentle cousin, welcome hither.

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

I know him now. Good God, betimes remove

The means that makes us strangers!

I know him now. Good God, betimes remove The means that makes us strangers!

i know him now. good god, betimes remove the means that makes us strangers!

i know him now. good god, betimes remove the means that make

ROSS ROSS

Sir, amen.

Sir, amen.

sir, amen.

sir, amen.

MACDUFF MACDUFF

Stands Scotland where it did?

Stands Scotland where it did?

stands scotland where it did?

stands scotland where it did?

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

Alas, poor country,

Almost afraid to know itself! It cannot

Be call’d our mother, but our grave, where nothing,

But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile;

Where sighs, and groans, and shrieks, that rent the air,

Are made, not mark’d; where violent sorrow seems

A modern ecstasy. The dead man’s knell

Is there scarce ask’d for who; and good men’s lives

Expire before the flowers in their caps,

Dying or ere they sicken.

Alas, poor country, Almost afraid to know itself! It cannot Be call’d our mother, but our grave, where nothing, But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; Where sighs, and groans, and shrieks, that rent the air, Are made, not mark’d; where violent sorrow seems A modern ecstasy. The dead man’s knell Is there scarce ask’d for who; and good men’s lives Expire before the flowers in their caps, Dying or ere they sicken.

alas, poor country, almost afraid to know itself! it cannot be call’d our mother, but our grave, where nothing, but who knows nothing, is once seen to smile; where sighs, and groans, and shrieks, that rent the air, are made, not mark’d; where violent sorrow seems a modern ecstasy. the dead man’s knell is there scarce ask’d for who; and good men’s lives expire before the flowers in their caps, dying or ere they sicken.

alas, poor country, almost afraid to know itself! it cannot

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

O, relation

Too nice, and yet too true!

O, relation Too nice, and yet too true!

o, relation too nice, and yet too true!

o, relation too nice, and yet too true!

MALCOLM MALCOLM

What’s the newest grief?

What’s the newest grief?

what’s the newest grief?

what’s the newest grief?

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

That of an hour’s age doth hiss the speaker;

Each minute teems a new one.

That of an hour’s age doth hiss the speaker; Each minute teems a new one.

that of an hour’s age doth hiss the speaker; each minute teems a new one.

that of an hour’s age doth hiss the speaker; each minute tee

MACDUFF MACDUFF

How does my wife?

How does my wife?

how does my wife?

how does my wife?

ROSS ROSS

Why, well.

Why, well.

why, well.

why, well.

MACDUFF MACDUFF

And all my children?

And all my children?

and all my children?

and all my children?

ROSS ROSS

Well too.

Well too.

well too.

well too.

MACDUFF MACDUFF

The tyrant has not batter’d at their peace?

The tyrant has not batter’d at their peace?

the tyrant has not batter’d at their peace?

the tyrant has not batter’d at their peace?

ROSS ROSS

No; they were well at peace when I did leave ’em.

No; they were well at peace when I did leave ’em.

no; they were well at peace when i did leave ’em.

no; they were well at peace when i did leave ’em.

MACDUFF MACDUFF

Be not a niggard of your speech: how goes’t?

Be not a niggard of your speech: how goes’t?

be not a niggard of your speech: how goes’t?

be not a niggard of your speech: how goes’t?

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

When I came hither to transport the tidings,

Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour

Of many worthy fellows that were out;

Which was to my belief witness’d the rather,

For that I saw the tyrant’s power afoot.

Now is the time of help. Your eye in Scotland

Would create soldiers, make our women fight,

To doff their dire distresses.

When I came hither to transport the tidings, Which I have heavily borne, there ran a rumour Of many worthy fellows that were out; Which was to my belief witness’d the rather, For that I saw the tyrant’s power afoot. Now is the time of help. Your eye in Scotland Would create soldiers, make our women fight, To doff their dire distresses.

when i came hither to transport the tidings, which i have heavily borne, there ran a rumour of many worthy fellows that were out; which was to my belief witness’d the rather, for that i saw the tyrant’s power afoot. now is the time of help. your eye in scotland would create soldiers, make our women fight, to doff their dire distresses.

when i came hither to transport the tidings, which i have he

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Be’t their comfort

We are coming thither. Gracious England hath

Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men;

An older and a better soldier none

That Christendom gives out.

Be’t their comfort We are coming thither. Gracious England hath Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men; An older and a better soldier none That Christendom gives out.

be’t their comfort we are coming thither. gracious england hath lent us good siward and ten thousand men; an older and a better soldier none that christendom gives out.

be’t their comfort we are coming thither. gracious england h

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

Would I could answer

This comfort with the like! But I have words

That would be howl’d out in the desert air,

Where hearing should not latch them.

Would I could answer This comfort with the like! But I have words That would be howl’d out in the desert air, Where hearing should not latch them.

would i could answer this comfort with the like! but i have words that would be howl’d out in the desert air, where hearing should not latch them.

would i could answer this comfort with the like! but i have

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

What concern they?

The general cause? or is it a fee-grief

Due to some single breast?

What concern they? The general cause? or is it a fee-grief Due to some single breast?

what concern they? the general cause? or is it a fee-grief due to some single breast?

what concern they? the general cause? or is it a fee-grief d

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

No mind that’s honest

But in it shares some woe, though the main part

Pertains to you alone.

No mind that’s honest But in it shares some woe, though the main part Pertains to you alone.

no mind that’s honest but in it shares some woe, though the main part pertains to you alone.

no mind that’s honest but in it shares some woe, though the

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

If it be mine,

Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.

If it be mine, Keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.

if it be mine, keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.

if it be mine, keep it not from me, quickly let me have it.

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever,

Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound

That ever yet they heard.

Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever, Which shall possess them with the heaviest sound That ever yet they heard.

let not your ears despise my tongue for ever, which shall possess them with the heaviest sound that ever yet they heard.

let not your ears despise my tongue for ever, which shall po

MACDUFF MACDUFF

Humh! I guess at it.

Humh! I guess at it.

humh! i guess at it.

humh! i guess at it.

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

Your castle is surpris’d; your wife and babes

Savagely slaughter’d. To relate the manner

Were, on the quarry of these murder’d deer,

To add the death of you.

Your castle is surpris’d; your wife and babes Savagely slaughter’d. To relate the manner Were, on the quarry of these murder’d deer, To add the death of you.

your castle is surpris’d; your wife and babes savagely slaughter’d. to relate the manner were, on the quarry of these murder’d deer, to add the death of you.

your castle is surpris’d; your wife and babes savagely slaug

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Merciful heaven!—

What, man! ne’er pull your hat upon your brows.

Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak

Whispers the o’er-fraught heart, and bids it break.

Merciful heaven!— What, man! ne’er pull your hat upon your brows. Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak Whispers the o’er-fraught heart, and bids it break.

merciful heaven!— what, man! ne’er pull your hat upon your brows. give sorrow words. the grief that does not speak whispers the o’er-fraught heart, and bids it break.

merciful heaven!— what, man! ne’er pull your hat upon your b

MACDUFF MACDUFF

My children too?

My children too?

my children too?

my children too?

ROSS ≋ verse ROSS

Wife, children, servants, all

That could be found.

Wife, children, servants, all That could be found.

wife, children, servants, all that could be found.

wife, children, servants, all that could be found.

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

And I must be from thence!

My wife kill’d too?

And I must be from thence! My wife kill’d too?

and i must be from thence! my wife kill’d too?

and i must be from thence! my wife kill’d too?

ROSS ROSS

I have said.

I have said.

i have said.

i have said.

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Be comforted:

Let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge,

To cure this deadly grief.

Be comforted: Let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge, To cure this deadly grief.

be comforted: let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge, to cure this deadly grief.

be comforted: let’s make us med’cines of our great revenge,

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

He has no children.—All my pretty ones?

Did you say all?—O hell-kite!—All?

What, all my pretty chickens and their dam

At one fell swoop?

He has no children.—All my pretty ones? Did you say all?—O hell-kite!—All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam At one fell swoop?

he has no children.—all my pretty ones? did you say all?—o hell-kite!—all? what, all my pretty chickens and their dam at one fell swoop?

he has no children.—all my pretty ones? did you say all?—o h

MALCOLM MALCOLM

Dispute it like a man.

Dispute it like a man.

dispute it like a man.

dispute it like a man.

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

I shall do so;

But I must also feel it as a man:

I cannot but remember such things were,

That were most precious to me.—Did heaven look on,

And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff,

They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am,

Not for their own demerits, but for mine,

Fell slaughter on their souls: heaven rest them now!

I shall do so; But I must also feel it as a man: I cannot but remember such things were, That were most precious to me.—Did heaven look on, And would not take their part? Sinful Macduff, They were all struck for thee! Naught that I am, Not for their own demerits, but for mine, Fell slaughter on their souls: heaven rest them now!

i shall do so; but i must also feel it as a man: i cannot but remember such things were, that were most precious to me.—did heaven look on, and would not take their part? sinful macduff, they were all struck for thee! naught that i am, not for their own demerits, but for mine, fell slaughter on their souls: heaven rest them now!

i shall do so; but i must also feel it as a man: i cannot bu

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief

Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.

Be this the whetstone of your sword. Let grief Convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.

be this the whetstone of your sword. let grief convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.

be this the whetstone of your sword. let grief convert to an

MACDUFF ≋ verse MACDUFF

O, I could play the woman with mine eyes,

And braggart with my tongue!—But, gentle heavens,

Cut short all intermission; front to front,

Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself;

Within my sword’s length set him; if he ’scape,

Heaven forgive him too!

O, I could play the woman with mine eyes, And braggart with my tongue!—But, gentle heavens, Cut short all intermission; front to front, Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself; Within my sword’s length set him; if he ’scape, Heaven forgive him too!

o, i could play the woman with mine eyes, and braggart with my tongue!—but, gentle heavens, cut short all intermission; front to front, bring thou this fiend of scotland and myself; within my sword’s length set him; if he ’scape, heaven forgive him too!

o, i could play the woman with mine eyes, and braggart with

MALCOLM ≋ verse MALCOLM

This tune goes manly.

Come, go we to the King. Our power is ready;

Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth

Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above

Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you may;

The night is long that never finds the day.

This tune goes manly. Come, go we to the King. Our power is ready; Our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above Put on their instruments. Receive what cheer you may; The night is long that never finds the day.

this tune goes manly. come, go we to the king. our power is ready; our lack is nothing but our leave. macbeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments. receive what cheer you may; the night is long that never finds the day.

this tune goes manly. come, go we to the king. our power is

[_Exeunt._]

The Reckoning

The longest scene in Macbeth, and one of the most varied in tone. It opens with Malcolm's testing of Macduff — a calculated psychological exercise that could read as cold manipulation but functions dramatically as the necessary vetting of a resistance leader. Malcolm pretends to be lecherous, greedy, and fundamentally corrupt — and watches Macduff's face. When Macduff finally gives up and refuses to stay ('Such welcome and unwelcome things at once / 'Tis hard to reconcile'), Malcolm reveals the test. The two halves of the scene — the testing and the news of the murders — are linked by the same question: what does a good man do when confronted with evil? Malcolm answers by organizing. Macduff answers by weeping. Then by fighting. Ross's arrival and delivery of the news is one of the play's great performances of hesitation: he clearly knows something terrible, stalls with false good news, and then tells the truth. Macduff's grief — 'He has no children. All my pretty ones?' — is the play's emotional nadir. Not Macbeth's suffering, not Lady Macbeth's breakdown, but this.

If this happened today…

An opposition leader meets a defector at a safe house abroad. He needs to know if this person is genuine or a plant. He runs through his worst possible self — I'm corrupt, I'm a womanizer, I'll be worse than the dictator — and watches how the defector responds. When the defector breaks and says he can't support that, the leader drops the test. Then the defector's handler arrives and delivers the news that the defector's family was killed last night.

Continue to 5.1 →