MALCOLM What I believe, I’ll wail; What know, believe; and what I can redress, As I shall find the time to friend, I will. What you have spoke, it may be so perchance. This tyrant whose sole name blisters our tongues Was once thought honest. You have loved him well; He hath not touched you […]
Continue ReadingMacduff and Malcolm, in England (4.3.1-8) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
Enter Malcolm and Macduff MALCOLM Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there Weep our sad bosoms empty. MACDUFF Let us rather Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men Bestride our downfall birthdom. Each new morn New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds […]
Continue ReadingEnter murderers; Macduff’s family, slaughtered (4.2.69-81) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
WIFE Whither should I fly? I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm Is often laudable, to do good sometime Accounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas, Do I put up that womanly defence To say I have done no harm? What are these faces? […]
Continue ReadingEnter a Messenger: take the kids and run! (4.2.61-9) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
Enter a Messenger MESSENGER Bless you, fair dame. I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly. If you will take a homely man’s advice, Be not found here. Hence with your little ones! To fright you thus methinks I am […]
Continue ReadingYoung Macduff: what’s a traitor? (4.2.44-60) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
SON Was my father a traitor, mother? WIFE Ay, that he was. SON What is a traitor? WIFE Why, one that swears and lies. SON And be all traitors that do so? WIFE Every one that does so is a traitor, and must be hanged. SON And must they all be hanged that swear and […]
Continue ReadingLady Macduff: out of the mouths of babes… (4.2.30-43) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
WIFE Sirrah, your father’s dead; And what will you do now? How will you live? SON As birds do, mother. WIFE What, with worms and flies? SON With what I get, I mean, and so do they. WIFE Poor bird, thou’dst never fear the net nor lime, The pitfall nor the gin. SON Why should […]
Continue ReadingLady Macduff: I might as well be parenting solo (4.2.25-30) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
ROSS —My pretty cousin, Blessing upon you. WIFE Fathered he is, and yet he’s fatherless. ROSS I am so much a fool, should I stay longer It would be my disgrace and your discomfort. I take my leave at once. Exit Ross (4.2.25-30) No matter how old the boy is—he’s perhaps being played by […]
Continue ReadingCold comfort from Ross (4.2.14-25) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
ROSS My dearest coz, I pray you school yourself. But for your husband, He is noble, wise, judicious, and best knows The fits o’th’ season. I dare not speak much further, But cruel are the times when we are traitors And do not know ourselves, when we hold rumour From what we fear, yet know […]
Continue ReadingAt home with the Macduffs, forebodingly (4.2.1-14) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
Enter Macduff’s Wife, her Son, and Ross WIFE What had he done to make him fly the land? ROSS You must have patience, madam. WIFE He had none. His flight was madness. When our actions do not, Our fears do make us traitors. ROSS You know not Whether it was his wisdom or his fear. […]
Continue ReadingMacbeth: just do, don’t think, just do it, do it now (4.1.143-155) #DaggerDrawn #SlowShakespeare
MACBETH [aside] Time, thou anticipat’st my dread exploits. The flighty purpose never is o’ertook Unless the deed go with it. From this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand; and even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done. The castle of Macduff I will […]
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