Macbeth Lines & Meanings Flashcards
(1.1) When shall we three meet again?/ In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
When the hurly-burly’s done,/When the battle’s lost and won.
That will be ere the set of sun.
Where the place?
Upon the heath.
There to meet with Macbeth.
I come, Grimalkin.
Paddock calls.
Anon.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair/ Hover through the fog and filthy air
The witches;
1st witch asks when they should meet again (witches associated with bad weather)
2nd witch says they should meet when the battle is over. 3rd witch says battle will end before sunset
2nd witch says they should meet in the heath (open field) and 3rd witch says they will meet Macbeth there.
Witches then hear their spirits. First witch answers her cat, Graymalkin. 2nd hears her toad. 3rd witch also answers her spirit with anon (at once)
witches leave.
(1.2) What bloody man is that? He can report,/ As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt/ The newest state.
King Duncan;
Who is this bloody man? Based on his appearance, he can tell us the latest news about the revolt.
(1.2) This is the sergeant/ Who like a good and hardy soldier fought/ ‘Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend./ Say to the King the knowledge of the broil/ As thou didst leave it.
Malcolm; this is the sergeant that fought against my captain. Friend, tell the king what was happening in the battle when you left.
(1.2) Doubtful it stood,/ As two spent swimmers that do cling together/ And choke their art. The merciless Macdonald–/ worthy to be a rebel, for to that/ The multiplying villanies of nature/ Do swarm upon him– from the Western Isles/ of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied,/ And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,/ Showed like a rebel’s whore.
Captain; the battle was ambiguous at the beginning. Macdonald was supported by soldiers and horsemen from Ireland and Hebrides, and luck was with him
(1.2) But all’s too weak,/ For brave Macbeth– well he deserves that name–/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/ Which smoked with bloody execution,/ Like valor’s minion carved out his passage/ Till he faced the slave;/ Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him/ Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops,/ and fixed his head upon our battlements.
Captain; Brave Macbeth split Macdonald open
(1.2) O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!
Duncan.
My brave relative! What a worthy man!
(1.2) As whence the sun ‘gins his reflection/ Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,/ So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come/ Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark./ No sooner justice had, with valour armed,/ Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels/ But the Norwegian lord, surveying vantage,/ With furbished arms and new supplies of men/ Began a fresh assault.
Captain; Despite Macdonald’s death, the Norwegians attacked us with new troops and weapons
(1.2) Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?
Duncan
Did this frighten Macbeth and Banquo?
(1.2) Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion!/ If I say sooth I must report they were/ As cannons overcharged with double cracks,/ So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe./ Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds/ Or memorize another Golgotha,/ I cannot tell–/ But I am faint. My gashes cry for help.
Captain.
They were not scared at all. They fought the enemy valiantly. I need a doctor.
(1.2) So well they words become thee as thy wounds: They smack of honour both.– Go get him surgeons.
Duncan;
Your words and wounds bring you honor. Take him to the surgeons
(1.2) What haste looks through his eyes! So should he look/ That seems to speak things strange.
Lennox.
His eyes seem frantic! He looks lime someone with a strange tale to tell.
(1.2) Whence cam’st thou, worthy thane?
Duncan.
Where have you come from,, worthy thane?
(1.2) From Fife, great King,/ Where the Norwegian banners flout the sky/ And fan our people cold./ Norway himself, with terrible numbers,/ Assisted by that most disloyal traitor/ The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict,/ Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof,, Confronted him with self-comparisons,/ Point against point, rebellious arm ‘gainst arm,/ Curbing his lavish spirit; and to conclude,/ the victory fell on us
Ross.
Thane of Cawdor betrayed them. Macbeth fought greatly against Norwegians. Scots won.
(1.2) Great happiness.
Duncan
(1.2) That now/ Sweno, the Norways king, craves compositiion;/ Nor would we deign him burial of his men/ Till he disbursed at Saint Colum’s inch/ Ten thousand dollars to our general use
Ross; Norways king wants a treaty. we wouldn’t let him bury his men until he retreated and paid $10,000
