No Fear Shakespeare
Macbeth
Get this No Fear to go!
Act 3, Scene 4
Original Text | Modern Text | |
Banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH,
LADY MACBETH, ROSS,
LENNOX, LORDS, and attendants. | The stage is set for a banquet. MACBETH
enters with LADY MACBETH, ROSS,
LENNOX, LORDS, and their
attendants. | |
|
MACBETH
You know your own degrees; sit down. At first
And last, the hearty welcome.
|
MACBETH
You know your own ranks, so you know where to sit. Sit down. From
the highest to the lowest of you, I bid you a hearty welcome.
| |
The LORDS sit | The LORDS sit
down. | |
|
LORDS
Thanks
to your majesty.
|
LORDS
Thanks to your majesty.
| |
5 |
MACBETH
Ourself will mingle with society
And play the humble host.
Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time
We will require her welcome.
|
MACBETH
I will walk around and mingle with all of you, playing the humble
host. My wife will stay in her royal chair, but at the appropriate
time I will have her welcome you all.
|
|
LADY MACBETH
Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends,
For my heart speaks they are welcome.
|
LADY MACBETH
Say welcome to all of our friends for me, sir, for in my heart
they are all welcome.
| |
Enter FIRST MURDERER at the door | The FIRST MURDERER appears at the
door. | |
10 |
MACBETH
See, they encounter thee with their hearts' thanks.
Both sides are even. Here I’ll sit i'
th' midst.
Be large in mirth. Anon we’ll drink a measure
The table round.
|
MACBETH
And they respond to you with their hearts as well. The table is
full on both sides. I will sit here in the middle. Be free and
happy. Soon we will toast around the table.
|
|
(aside to FIRST MURDERER) There’s blood upon thy
face.
|
(approaching the door and speaking to
the MURDERER)
There’s blood on your face.
| |
|
FIRST MURDERER
'Tis Banquo’s then.
|
FIRST MURDERER
Then it must be Banquo’s.
| |
15 |
MACBETH
'Tis better thee without than he within.
Is he dispatched?
|
MACBETH
I’d rather see his blood splattered on your face than
flowing through his veins. Did you finish him off?
|
