No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth: Act 2, scene ii

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	MACBETH
	Whence is that knocking?
	How is 't with me when every noise appals me?
60	What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes.
	Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
	Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
	The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
	Making the green one red.

MACBETH

Where is that knocking coming from? What's happening to me, that I'm frightened of every noise? (looking at his hands) Whose hands are these? Ha! They're plucking out my eyes. Will all the water in the ocean wash this blood from my hands? No, instead my hands will stain the seas scarlet, turning the green waters red.

Enter LADY MACBETH

LADY MACBETH enters.

	LADY MACBETH
65	My hands are of your color, but I shame
	To wear a heart so white.

LADY MACBETH

My hands are as red as yours, but I would be ashamed if my heart were as pale and weak.

Knock within

A sound of knocking from offstage.

	I hear a knocking
	At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber.
	A little water clears us of this deed.
	How easy is it, then! Your constancy
70	Hath left you unattended.

I hear someone knocking at the south entry. Let's go back to our bedroom. A little water will wash away the evidence of our guilt. It's so simple! You've lost your resolve.

Knock within

A sound of knocking from offstage.

	Hark! More knocking.
	Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us
	And show us to be watchers. Be not lost
	So poorly in your thoughts.

Listen! There's more knocking. Put on your nightgown, in case someone comes and sees that we're awake. Snap out of your daze.

	MACBETH
75	To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself.

MACBETH

Rather than have to think about my crime, I'd prefer to be completely unconscious.

Knock within

A sound of knocking from offstage.

Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst.

Wake Duncan with your knocking. I wish you could!

Exeunt

They exit.


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