"Ellen Schoeters is a member of Actorama + where actors can upload a monologue or scene performance for peer review. What do you think of Ellen Schoeters's performance?"
(0 votes)
| Character | Macbeth Lady Macbeth | |
|---|---|---|
| Scene type / Who are | Married, Having an argument, Persuading somebody, Scolding somebody | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Any | |
| Genre | Tragedy, Drama, War | |
| Description | Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to go ahead with his plan to kill the king of Scotland | |
| Location | ACT I, Scene 7 | |
Summary
Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo defeat two opposing armies in battle, an Irish and a Norwegian army. Learning about Macbeth's valor in the battle, the king of Scotland, King Duncan, decides to reward him by giving him the title of the Thane of Cawdor, a title that he takes away from the previous thane who betrayed the Scots by fighting for the Norwegians. On their way back to their base, Macbeth and Banquo run into three witches that prophecise that Macbeth one day will be king and Banquo's descendants will be kings. They also call Macbeth "Thane of Cawdor" which surprises him since he still doesn't know about the king's decision. He is even more surprised when, arriving at the base camp, learns that the king has just given him the title of the Thane of Cawdor, thus wondering if he will really become king one day.
Macbeth goes back to his castle in Inverness and tells his wife what happened. Lady Macbeth encourages him to do anything in his power to become king, even if it means killing King Duncan. Duncan will shortly be visiting their castle.
In this scene Macbeth at first ponders on whether he should kill King Duncan or not. He decides not to follow up with his wife's plan and Lady Macbeth becomes outraged. She calls him a coward. Macbeth explains that is afraid the plan might fail but Lady Macbeth tells him her plan. They will get the king's chamberlains drunk, then Macbeth will kill Duncan while he sleeps. After that they will smear the king's blood on the chamberlains and accuse them of the deed. Lady Macbeth tells him if they go ahead with the plan with resoluteness they will not fail. Macbeth accepts to go ahead with the plan.
Macbeth goes back to his castle in Inverness and tells his wife what happened. Lady Macbeth encourages him to do anything in his power to become king, even if it means killing King Duncan. Duncan will shortly be visiting their castle.
In this scene Macbeth at first ponders on whether he should kill King Duncan or not. He decides not to follow up with his wife's plan and Lady Macbeth becomes outraged. She calls him a coward. Macbeth explains that is afraid the plan might fail but Lady Macbeth tells him her plan. They will get the king's chamberlains drunk, then Macbeth will kill Duncan while he sleeps. After that they will smear the king's blood on the chamberlains and accuse them of the deed. Lady Macbeth tells him if they go ahead with the plan with resoluteness they will not fail. Macbeth accepts to go ahead with the plan.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| SCENE VII. Macbeth's castle. [Hautboys and torches. Enter a Sewer, and divers Servants with dishes and service, and pass over the stage. Then enter MACBETH] 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. [Enter LADY MACBETH] How now! what news? LADY MACBETH He has almost supp'd: why have you left the chamber? MACBETH Hath he ask'd for me? LADY MACBETH Know you not he has? 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. 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? MACBETH Prithee, peace: I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. 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 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. MACBETH If we should fail? 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? 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? LADY MACBETH Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar Upon his death? 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. Exeunt |
