Act 1 Scene 5


Scene Summary 


 Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth telling her about the witches’ prophecy.


She worries that Macbeth does not have the necessary strength to kill Duncan. She decides to encourage Macbeth to carry out the murder.


 A messenger arrives informing her of the King’s imminent arrival.  Lady Macbeth calls on evil spirits to aid her part in killing Duncan.  Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss the idea of murdering Duncan.


 The scene concludes ominously with Lady Macbeth saying, ‘Leave all the rest to me.’


Inverness. Macbeth's castle. Enter LADYMACBETH, reading a letter


LADYMACBETH 'They met me in the day of success:1


and I have


learned by the perfectest report,2 they have more in them than mortal3 knowledge.When I burned in desire


to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished.Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives4


all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these weird sisters5


10


me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.6 to thy heart, and farewell.'


Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way.7


Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it:8


from the King, who saluted me, and referred 1 2


day of success: the day after the successful battle


perfectest report:most reliable source


3 mortal: human/earthly 4 missives: messengers


5 weird sisters: the witches 6 Lay it 7


yet do I fear…nearest way: I worry that you are too kind to take the type of wicked action that is needed in order to get what you want quickly.


8 Thou wouldst be great; what thou wouldst highly, 20 That wouldst thou holily;9 wouldst not play false,


And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'dst have, great Glamis, That which cries ‘Thus thou must do, if thou have it’; And that which rather thou dost fear to do Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither,10 That I may pour my spirits in thine ear,11 And chastise with the valour of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round,12 Which fate and metaphysical13


aid doth seem 22 9 10 11


Thou wouldst be great…should attend it: You could be great, you’re not without ambition, but you don’t have the ruthlessness needed to attain greatness.


what thou wouldst…thou holily: what you desire, you want to get by honest means


Hie thee hither: Come here quickly


That I may pour my spirits in thine ear: So I can whisper in your ear


chastise…golden round: attack with my persuasive words all that keeps you from the crown 13 metaphysical: supernatural


12


greatness is promised thee: i.e. queenship


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