Macbeth, Act One, Scenes V-VII.
Act 1 Scene 5
(Reading the letter from Macbeth enters the room)
Lady Macbeth: I met them the day I became successful. By the things I’ve seen, I am convinced that they have supernatural powers, they were talking to me and when I asked them questions they just disappeared right in front of my eyes. I turned around and I seen messangers the king sent to give me the title Thane of Cawdor. I was stunned that was the title the weird sisters predicted I would receive. They also told me more about my future they said “hail, king to be.” I’m sending you this letter so you won’t miss out on the enjoyment of my happiness when I arrive. Keep this letter in your hands only, See you soon.
(Lady Macbeth talks to herself)
From Thane of Glamis to Thane of Cawdor, You will get what you were promised. I’m worried about your nature; your kind heart will keep you from the tittle of king. You want success but your soft heart will take shortcuts. I know you will not cheat and want to win fairly. What you want you can only have if you do a great act that you will be too scared to do even if you do wish it would happen. Get home quickly so I can fill your head with my ideas. The witches told you that you would have the crown for a reason; you are supposed to have the Crown.
[Enter Messenger]
Messenger: King Duncan will arrive later on tonight.
Lady Macbeth: your crazy to say that, isn’t he with Macbeth? He would have told with time to get things prepared.
Messenger: Yes, our Thane is with the King, he's on his way. Though, a messenger rode ahead of them and was able to get a message to us before their arrival.
Lady Macbeth: Take care of his needs, he comes with great news
(The messenger leaves) (Lady Macbeth talks to herself)
The dark rave croaks at the news of Duncan’s deadly approach. Come to me spirits that help human minds, get rid of my kindness and fill me from head to toe with pure venom, I want to be heartless so nothing stands in the way of my cruel plan, nothing can be in the way of what has to be done. You murder spirits wake up the evil things that are about to happen in this house. I want my acts to make heaven beg for me to STOP!
[Macbeth Enters]
My excellent Glamis! My praiseworthy Cawdor! You are greater then both of them together. The prophesy from your letter will be true very soon
Macbeth: My love, Duncan is going to come tonight
Lady Macbeth: And when will he leave?
Macbeth: Tomorrow. He plans to leave…
Lady Macbeth: He will never see tomorrow, you have to play a friendly face to our visitors, be everything you are not to make them feel comfortable and make sure they have everything they need. It will give us virtue for the rest of our lives.
Macbeth: We need to talk about this more.
Lady Macbeth: just be nice and give an honest look, and I will take of the rest.
[They go]
Scene 6
[They enter Macbeth’s house]
Duncan: This castle is very comfortable. This nice cold air attracts me.
Banquo: (In response to Duncan) the scent sound here is intriguing. During the simmer, the swallows invade and nest all over the place. The place is swarming with those birds and I've noticed that they reproduce and live where it's calm.
[Lady Macbeth Enters]
Duncan: Look our honored lady of the house! The love that attracts us most is the one that gets you into trouble, but we are still thankful for it. This shows that we are here for that person, and how much we care for them.
Lady Macbeth: We would do it all over again for you; it is an honor to have you as a guest in our home. You have done such great things for our family we owe you our lives.
Duncan: Where’s the thane of Cawdor? We came as fast as we could, trying to get here first. But he is very responsible, and his love as pretty as a rose helped him arrive here before we did. Fair and noble friends, tonight we are your guest.
Lady Macbeth: our servants as well as Macbeth and I are at your service.
Duncan: Give me your hand. Take me to the entertainer. We love him very much and we will always look after him. [He offers her his hand] May I, madam? [They go]
Scene 7
Macbeth: The faster we do the murder the better. If the murder didn’t have any consequences, and it came out how we planned it...The first time I stab him that is going to be the end of it- here, right here, on this side where we are at right now- the dead is going to come for us. But we usually get what we deserve here on earth. We teach the art of killing, and then we become the victims of our own lessons. This fair justice makes us swallow our own poison. [Pause] Duncan is here on double trust: first, because I’m his kinsman and his blood (both good arguments against the deed); then, because I’m his entertainer, who needs to be protecting him from his murderer- not get the knife. Besides, this king has used his power so gently, he’s been fair to all his people in his great office that his souls will plead like angels, their tongues trumpeting the terrible horror of his assassination. And sadness, is going to be like a naked newborn baby or Heaven’s revenge angels riding on the winds, will cry so bad until the tears blinds them. And it is all going to happen because of my aspiration.
[Lady Macbeth Enters]
Lady Macbeth: He hasn’t finished dinner, what are you doing out of the room?
Macbeth: Has Duncan asked for me?
Lady Macbeth: He is your guest, can’t you assume he has?
Macbeth: I don’t want to continue with this plan. He has honored me many times, and I’ve gain respect from many important people. This is something that I want to enjoy for a while before I move on, not put it aside so soon.
Lady Macbeth: Why are you telling me this now? Why have you changed your mind now? Are you afraid to act on your feelings of ambition? I don’t understand you want to be crowned king yet you don’t want to do what it takes. All you are is a coward, I would do it myself but it’s your crown so it should be your act.
Macbeth: That’s enough! I’ll do anything that gains me respected as a man. Who dares to do such an act isn’t human.
Lady Macbeth: If that is true what made you rethink my plan? If you do it would prove that you are worthy to be called a man. If you wanted to be king you would have to wait a long time till all heirs in front of you die this way you will get a lot faster. I hope you do what you have promised me.
Macbeth: What happens if we fail?
Lady Macbeth: if we fail? That couldn’t happen if we do it right. What we do is we wait for Duncan to fall asleep; He will be sound asleep because of his long ride over here. We get his guards so drunk that they won’t remember anything tomorrow. You go in and murder Duncan on your way out put the bloody knives in the guard’s hands and they will be blamed for our cruel act.
Macbeth: If we use the guards knives and we smeared Duncan’s blood on them everyone will believe it was his guards. That’s a good idea but I’m still not sure.
Lady Macbeth: If we act so angry and so sad they would have no other choice then to believe that they committed the murder.
Macbeth: I am convinced. All my mind and power will be put into this cruel crime. Let’s go to our guest and pass the time as great entertainers. We must use our faces to cover up our terrible plan.
[They go]