Macbeth: Act 5, Scene 1
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman. Doctor
1 I have two nights watched with you, but can
2 perceive no truth in your report. When was it
3 she last walked? Gentlewoman
4 Since his majesty went into the field, I have
5 seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown
6. closet: chest.
6 upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold
7 it, write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again
8 return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.
Doctor
9 A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once
10. do the effects of watching: do the actions of a waking person. 11. agitation: activity.
10 the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of
11 watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her
12. actual performances: i.e., observed activities.
12 walking and other actual performances, what, at any
13 time, have you heard her say? Gentlewoman
14. That which I will not report after her: i.e., things which I will not repeat.
14 That, sir, which I will not report after her. Doctor
15. meet: fitting, proper.
15 You may to me, and 'tis most meet you
16 should. Gentlewoman
17. having no witness : because I have no witness. Apparently Lady Macbeth has said what we will soon hear her say, which amounts to a confession of murder. The Gentlewoman dares not repeat such things without a witness.
17 Neither to you nor any one; having no witness
18 to confirm my speech.
Enter LADY [MACBETH], with a taper.
19. her very guise: exactly the way she always looks. 20. stand close: stay out of sight.
 | Artist: Johann Heinrich Füssli |
19 Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise; and,
20 upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her; stand close. Doctor
21 How came she by that light? Gentlewoman
22 Why, it stood by her. She has light by her
23 continually; 'tis her command.
Doctor
24 You see, her eyes are open.
Gentlewoman
25. their sense: i.e., the ability to see.
 | Helen Rynne as Lady Macbeth |
25 Ay, but their sense is shut.
Doctor
26 What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs
27 her hands.
Gentlewoman
28 It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus
29 washing her hands. I have known her continue in
30 this a quarter of an hour. LADY MACBETH
31 Yet here's a spot.
Doctor
32. set down: write down.
32 Hark! she speaks. I will set down what comes
33. satisfy: confirm.
33 from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more
34 strongly.
LADY MACBETH
35 Out, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why,
36 then, 'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky!—Fie, my
37 lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we
38 fear who knows it, when none can call our power
39 to account?—Yet who would have thought the old
40 man to have had so much blood in him?
Doctor
41 Do you mark that? LADY MACBETH
42 The thane of Fife had a wife; where is she now?—
43 What, will these hands ne'er be clean?—No more o'
44 that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with
45. this starting: these startled movements. Apparently Lady Macbeth is imagining the moments just after the murder of King Duncan, especially Macbeth's reaction to the knocking at the gate. 46. go to: "Go to" is a colloquial phrase with many possible meanings. In this case, the Doctor means something like "ai yi yi! we have a big problem."
 | Annika Boris as Lady Macbeth |
45 this starting. Doctor
46 Go to, go to; you have known what you should
47 not. Gentlewoman
48 She has spoke what she should not, I am sure
49 of that; heaven knows what she has known.
LADY MACBETH
50 Here's the smell of the blood still. All the
51 perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this
52 little hand. O, O, O!
Doctor
53. sorely charg'd: painfully overfull.
53 What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely
54 charg'd.
Gentlewoman
55 I would not have such a heart in my bosom
56 for the dignity of the whole body. Doctor
57 Well, well, well.
Gentlewoman
58. Pray God it be, sir: The Doctor uses the phrase "well, well, well" as an expression of wonder and dismay; the Gentlewoman purposely takes the word "well" in its sense of "good, healthy." 59. beyond my practise: beyond the scope of my expertise.
58 Pray God it be, sir. Doctor
59 This disease is beyond my practise; yet I
60 have known those which have walked in
61 their sleep who have died holily in their beds.
LADY MACBETH
62 Wash your hands, put on your nightgown;
63 look not so pale.—I tell you yet again, Banquo's
64. come out on's grave: come out of his grave.
64 buried; he cannot come out on's grave.
Doctor
65 Even so? LADY MACBETH
66 To bed, to bed! there's knocking at the gate:
67 come, come, come, come, give me your hand. What's
68 done cannot be undone.—To bed, to bed, to bed!
Exit Lady.
Doctor
69 Will she go now to bed? Gentlewoman
70 Directly. Doctor
71 Foul whisperings are abroad. Unnatural deeds
72 Do breed unnatural troubles; infected minds
73 To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.
74 More needs she the divine than the physician.
76. the means of all annoyance: anything which might cause injury. The Doctor may think Lady Macbeth might commit suicide. 77. still: always.
75 God, God forgive us all! Look after her;
76 Remove from her the means of all annoyance,
77 And still keep eyes upon her. So, good night:
78. mated: stupefied, bewildered, shocked.
78 My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight.
79 I think, but dare not speak. Gentlewoman
Good night, good doctor.
Exeunt.