Macbeth finds out that Banquo has been murdered, but that his son has escaped. As Macbeth heads back to eat at his banquet table, he finds his seat has been taken by none other than the ghost of Banquo. He freaks out at the sight, and Lady Macbeth dismisses it as a momentary fit. When Macbeth tells her he sees Banquo’s ghost in his seat, she quietly tells Macbeth to be a man and get over his anxiety. After screaming at the ghost, he gathers himself and makes excuses to his guests, shooing everyone away from the banquet table. Left alone with his wife, Macbeth tells her he’s terrified of the consequences of his evil deeds. He wants to meet with the witches again, to figure out what else lies in store. Nothing good, he thinks.
Macbeth
You all know your places, so please have a seat. From the highest rank to the lowest, I give you a hearty welcome.
Lords
Thanks to your majesty.
Macbeth
I will sit among you and act as the humble host. Our hostess will stay in her seat of honor, but when the time is right, she will welcome you also.
Lady Macbeth
Sir, welcome all our friends for me; for they’re welcome in my heart.
Macbeth
Look, they respond to you with their heart’s thanks. The table is full on both sides, so I’ll sit here in the middle. Everyone have a great time, we’ll soon have a toast all around the table!
There's blood on your face.
First Murderer
Then it’s Banquo’s.
Macbeth
Better on the outside of you than on the inside of him. Is he finished off?
First Murderer
My lord, his throat is cut. I did that to him.
Macbeth
You’re the best of the cut-throats. But it would be great if someone did the same to Fleance. If it was either of you, you are without equal.
First Murderer
Most royal sir, Fleance has escaped.
Macbeth
Oh God, there comes my fear back again. If it wasn’t for this I’d be perfectly fine, solid as marble, grounded as rocks, as free and easy as the air around us. But now I’m cramped and confined and all boxed in by unruly fears. But Banquo’s dead for sure?
First Murderer
Yes, my good lord. He’s surely lying in a ditch with twenty deep gashes in his head. The least of those would have killed him.
Macbeth
Thanks for that, at least the grown serpent lies dead. The young snake that ran away will eventually have poison, but right now he has no teeth. Get out of here. Tomorrow we’ll talk again.
Lady Macbeth
My royal lord, you haven’t given a toast. If you don’t make them feel welcome during the feast, the guests will feel like they’re paying for feasting here. If all they’re doing is eating they might as well be at home. Company is the special sauce that makes feasts worthwhile. Dining together would be bland without company.
Macbeth
Sweet of you to remind me! Now, let’s drink to good digestion, and good appetite that precedes it... and to good health, which comes from both!
Lennox
Please have a seat, your highness!
Macbeth
We would have every nobleman in the country under our roof, if only gracious Banquo had come. I hope I can accuse him of rudeness for being late, rather than pity him for some accident.
Ross
I think you can blame his absence on him, sir, since he promised to be here. He promised to come. Your highness, please sit and grace us with your royal company.
Macbeth
The table's full.
Lennox
Here is a place for you, sir.
Macbeth
Where?
Lennox
Here, my good lord. What’s disturbing your highness?
Macbeth
Which of you has done this?
Lords
What, my good lord?
Macbeth
You can’t say I did it. Don’t shake your bloody hair at me.
Ross
Gentlemen, let’s get up. His highness is not feeling well.
Lady Macbeth
Please sit, my worthy friends.
Lady Macbeth
My husband is often like this and he’s been this way since he was young. Please, stay seated. It’s a momentary fit, he’ll be fine in a second. If you pay attention to it, you’ll make it worse and it will last longer. Just eat, and ignore him. [To Macbeth] Are you a man?
Macbeth
Yes, in fact, a brave one, since I dare to look at a thing that would scare the Devil.
Lady Macbeth
Oh what nonsense! This is your fear making you see things. This is like the dagger in the air which you said led you to Duncan. These outbursts of yours aren’t fears of real things, more like old wive’s tales. Shame on you! Why are you making faces like that? You’re just looking at an empty chair when all’s said and done
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Has your madness made you no longer a man?
Macbeth
As sure as I’m standing here, I saw him.
Lady Macbeth
Oh, for shame!
Macbeth
In the old days, back before laws made us civilized, blood was often shed. Since then too, murders too terrible to describe have been committed. It used to be that once a man’s brains were dashed out, he was dead, and that was the end. But now the dead rise again, even with twenty fatal gashes in their heads, and push us off our chairs! This is much stranger than any murder.
Lady Macbeth
My worthy lord, your noble friends miss you.
Macbeth
I forget. Don’t worry yourselves about me, worthy friends, I have a strange illness, which is not a big deal to those who know me well. Come, let’s drink to love and health for all! Then I’ll sit down. Give me some wine and fill my glass full. I drink to the general happiness of the whole table, and to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss. I wish he were here! To everyone! And to Banquo! Drink, everyone!
Lords
To our duty, and your toast!
Macbeth
Go away, get out of my sight! Get back into the ground! Your bones have no marrow, your blood is cold. There’s no vision in those eyes glaring at me!
Lady Macbeth
Fellow nobles, think of this as something ordinary, nothing more, although it does rather ruin the evening.
Macbeth
I’ll do whatever any man is brave enough to do. Come at me like a Russian bear, or an armored rhinoceros, or an Asian tiger. Take on any shape but that one, and my nerves will never budge! Or just be alive again, and challenge me to get what I deserve from your sword.
If I’m trembling in fear, then call me a little girl. Get away, horrible ghost! You mockery of reality, get out of here!
Why, now that he’s gone, I’m a man again. Please, everyone, stay here.
Lady Macbeth
Macbeth
Can things like this happen and no one act surprised? It overshadowed this party like a cloud in summer. You make me feel like I’m not my normal self, now that I realize you can see things like that and keep your composure while I go pale with fear.
Ross
What things, my lord?
Lady Macbeth
Please don’t talk to him. He’s getting worse and worse. All these questions are just making him angry. Good night to everyone, right now. No need to leave according to your social rank - just go quickly.
Lennox
Good night, and I hope his majesty is in better health soon!
Lady Macbeth
A kind good night to all of you!
Macbeth
“Blood will have blood”, as they say. Blood will have blood. They say rocks have been known to move and trees have spoken. Man’s bloodiest secrets have been shown by omens in magpies and crows. What time is it?
Lady Macbeth
It’s right at the divide between night and morning.
Macbeth
What do you think of Macduff not coming as requested?
Lady Macbeth
Did you send for him, sir?
Macbeth
I heard about this from others, but I will send for him. I have servants paid to spy in every one of their houses. Tomorrow - and early - I’ll go to the witches. They must tell me more, I’m determined to know the worst by their evil means. For my own good, everything else has to give way. I’m so deep in this bloodshed that if I stopped this business now, going back would be as difficult as continuing all the way. I have strange things in my head that must be done, and they should be done before I think them through.
Lady Macbeth
You really need some sleep.
Macbeth
Come, let’s go to bed. This strange behavior comes from beginner’s fears that will fade in time. We’re still quite inexperienced in murder.
