Macbeth Act 3 Scene 4

This is a translation of the script from into modern English. Unfortunately, it is incomplete.

SCENE IV. The same. Hall in the palace.

A banquet prepared. Enter MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX, Lords, and Attendants

MACBETH

Hello, sit down!

Lords

Thank you, your majesty.

MACBETH

We will talk with everyone 

And be a good host.

Our hostess is still on her throne

BUt she will welcome us soon. 

LADY MACBETH

P

Tell them I say welcome. 

First Murderer appears at the door

MACBETH

And they respond to you with their hearts thanks.

I will sit in the middle of the table.

Enjoy yourself, let’s have a drink.

Approaching the door

There’s blood on your face.

First Murderer

It’s banquo’s blood. 

MACBETH

Is he gone? Is he dead? 

First Murderer

My king, I cut his throat.

MACBETH

YOu are the best at your job. Whoever did the same to Fleance must also be good. If you did it then you are the absolute best.

First Murderer

Fleance escaped!

MACBETH

I was once perfect and stable but now I am scared and full of doubts and fears. And Banquo’s safe. Because he’s dead. 

First Murderer

Banquo is dead. Safe in a ditch. I’m pretty sure he’s dead. 

MACBETH

Thanks for that: there Banquo lies. And Fleance has fled.

He will grow into a threat but not yet.

We’ll talk about this tomorrow. 

Exit Murderer

LADY MACBETH

My king, you are not entertaining the guests. The feast is ready. 

If you don’t make your guests feel good, they won’t want to be here.

You need to make everyone feel a little bit more welcome or this would just be boring. 

MACBETH

Thanks for reminding me!

I’ll go eat.

LENNOX

May you sit, your highness. 

The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH’s place

MACBETH

So here we have all our noblemen

Except for Banquo who hopefully isn’t here because he’s rude

And not because something bad has happened to him

ROSS

He’s not here, that means he broke his promise. Just chill with us. 

MACBETH

There’s nowhere to sit. 

LENNOX

I’ve reserved a place for you, Sir. 

MACBETH

Where?

LENNOX

Here’s the seat. What’s wrong? 

MACBETH

Who did this?

Lords

What, my good lord?

MACBETH

You can’t say that I did it:don’t shake your head at me. 

ROSS

Everyone stand up, his highness is not well.

LADY MACBETH

Stay calm, this happens a lot.  

He’s been like this since he was a child

Please stay seated, do not go away.

He will  be well again soon.

If you pay attention to him, you’ll piss him off.

Just eat!  

Are you a man?

MACBETH

I am a brave man

Who dares look at something horrifying

LADY MACBETH

Oh good stuff!

This hallucinations aren’t even that scary,

Like the dagger you imagined before. 

Shame on you!

When it’s all done, you’ll just look at an empty stool. 

MACBETH

Look over there, can you not see it!

Why should I care?

if you can’t nod or speak.

If the dead are going to come back

Then there’s nothing to stop the bodies

Being eaten by birds. 

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

LADY MACBETH

How unmanly of you!

MACBETH

If I stand here, I’m sure I saw him

LADY MACBETH

That’s ridiculous

MACBETH

Before, we killed people with no consequence. 

There have been terrible murders before. 

It used to be that when a man died, he died, but now they come back.

This is more strange than just a murder.

LADY MACBETH

My king, your friends are not reliable.

MACBETH

I have forgotten.

Don’t be alarmed, my best friends!

It’s quite normal for those that know me. 

Come,let’s have some beers and get drunk!

And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss;

Would he were here! to all, and him, we thirst,

And all to all.

Lords

Our duties, and the pledge.

Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO

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