Lady Macbeth Monologue Act 1 Scene 5

"The raven himself is hoarse"

Synopsis

Lady Macbeth, upon receiving Macbeth’s letter about the witches’ prophecy, reflects on her husband’s ambition and fears he lacks the ruthlessness required to seize the throne. This soliloquy reveals her determination and resolve to assist him in achieving power, even if it requires calling upon dark, supernatural forces.

What’s Just Happened Before This Moment That’s Relevant to the Scene?

Macbeth has encountered the three witches, who prophesied his rise to power. He immediately writes to Lady Macbeth, sharing the astonishing news. In this scene, she reads the letter and begins to consider the steps necessary to fulfil the prophecy, marking a significant shift in the plot towards the central tragedy.

Original Text

The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;
Stop up the access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect and it! Come to my woman’s breasts,
And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,
Wherever in your sightless substances
You wait on nature’s mischief! Come, thick night,
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry ‘Hold, hold!’

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language

"Even the raven, the harbinger of doom, is hoarse from announcing Duncan’s arrival at my castle, where he will meet his death. Come, you spirits that guide murderous thoughts, strip me of my femininity and fill me completely with cruelty. Thicken my blood to block any feelings of guilt or remorse so that no natural compassion will weaken my resolve or interfere with my plans. Transform my nurturing milk into bitterness, you agents of destruction, wherever you hide in the shadows to corrupt nature. Come, darkness, and cover the world in the blackest smoke of hell so that neither my own eyes nor heaven’s gaze can see the murder I will commit or cry out to stop me."

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words

  • Raven: A bird often symbolising death or bad omens.

  • Hoarse: A strained, rough voice, here indicating exhaustion from foretelling doom.

  • Unsex me: Remove my feminine traits.

  • Direst cruelty: Extreme, merciless brutality.

  • Compunctious: Related to feelings of guilt or remorse.

  • Fell: Fierce or deadly.

  • Ministers: Servants or agents (of evil in this context).

  • Sightless substances: Invisible entities, likely spirits.

  • Pall: Envelop or cover, like a funeral shroud.

  • Dunnest: Darkest or gloomiest.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs

  1. "The raven himself is hoarse
    That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
    Under my battlements."

    • Lady Macbeth views the raven’s call as a portent of Duncan’s death at her castle.

  2. "Come, you spirits
    That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
    And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
    Of direst cruelty!"

    • She calls upon spirits to rid her of compassion and imbue her with ruthlessness.

  3. "Make thick my blood;
    Stop up the access and passage to remorse,
    That no compunctious visitings of nature
    Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
    The effect and it!"

    • She desires to block out guilt and ensure her resolve remains unshaken.

  4. "Come to my woman’s breasts,
    And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers,
    Wherever in your sightless substances
    You wait on nature’s mischief!"

    • She pleads for her nurturing qualities to be replaced with venomous cruelty.

  5. "Come, thick night,
    And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
    That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
    Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
    To cry ‘Hold, hold!’"

    • She seeks complete darkness to conceal her deed, even from divine judgement.

Journey Keypoints: Hook, Turning Point, Climax, and Resolution

  • Hook: Lady Macbeth hears of the witches’ prophecy and Macbeth’s potential rise to power.

  • Turning Point: She decides to take control and drive the prophecy to fruition.

  • Climax: She calls upon dark spirits to fortify her resolve and eliminate compassion.

  • Resolution: Prepared for action, Lady Macbeth becomes the catalyst for the murder of Duncan.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role

  • Dame Judi Dench (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1976): A definitive performance of steely determination.

  • Francesca Annis (Macbeth, Roman Polanski, 1971): Portrayed a youthful yet manipulative Lady Macbeth.

  • Marion Cotillard (Macbeth, 2015): Delivered a haunting, emotional interpretation of the character.

Conclusion

Lady Macbeth’s monologue is a masterclass in ambition, manipulation, and descent into moral corruption. Whether you’re preparing for an audition or seeking deeper understanding, mastering this speech can demonstrate your range and emotional depth.

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