Macbeth: Shakespeare Retold

By William Shakespeare and James Anthony

MACBETH: SHAKESPEARE RETOLD

Shakespeare's 400-year-old language can be tough to understand...but, with Shakespeare Retold, it's easy!

Written line-by-line in the same iambic pentameter versification of the originals, it offers a contemporary interpretation of the Bard's lines in the same form a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Redbrick Books
• Release date: Nov 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781914927133

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is the world's greatest ever playwright. Born in 1564, he split his time between Stratford-upon-Avon and London, where he worked as a playwright, poet and actor. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway. Shakespeare died in 1616 at the age of fifty-two, leaving three children—Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. The rest is silence.

Book preview

Reading Shakespeare Retold

Shakespeare Retold intersperses modern English, line-by-line and beat-for-beat, after each of Shakespeare’s great originals.

ORIGINAL:  Fate, show thy force. Ourselves we do not owe.

RETOLD:  Fate, show your strength! You choose my destiny,

ORIGINAL:  What is decreed must be, and be this so.

RETOLD:  And what you choose for me to be will be.

There is no ‘right or wrong’ way to read Shakespeare Retold. However, a good way to start is to read the original lines, then cross-reference to the retelling when the going gets tough, or just to reaffirm your understanding of the line. Play around with it and do what is best for you.

This ebook contains two versions of the text:

  – Shakespeare’s lines interspersed with the Retold lines

  – The Retold only lines.

Note, Shakespeare’s directions in the play are left ‘as is’ in this text, as most are easily understood without the need for clarification.

UNDERSTANDING IAMBIC PENTAMETER

Shakespeare wrote most of his work in the 10-beat format known as iambic pentameter. The retellings also use this format. So, what is iambic pentameter?

An iamb is a word or phrase with two beats:

one soft/short, one hard/long.

e.g., di-dum; because; in fact; despite; resolve.

Penta is the Greek word for five.

Meter is the Greek word meaning measure, e.g., metronome.

Hence, iambic pentameter is simply five iambs combined to flow in one line, e.g.,

di-dum di-dum di-dum di-dum di-dum

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

If music be the food of love, play on.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

EXCEPTIONS

Two exceptions to the regular iambic pentameter format are widely used by Shakespeare:

1) Weak Endings

Regular iambic pentameter has 10 syllables, but an additional syllable can be added to create what is known as a ‘weak ending’. Shakespeare’s most famous line has a weak ending:

To be, or not to be? That is the question.

The better part of valour is discretion.

di-dum di-dum di-dum di-dum di-dum di

2) Trochaic substitution

Though an iamb is ‘di-dum’, a trochee is ‘dum-di’,

e.g. biscuit, reason; bathroom.

Replacing the first iamb with a trochee is known as ‘trochaic substitution’, e.g.,

Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself.

Now is the winter of our discontent.

dum-di di-dum di-dum di-dum di-dum.

VERSE VS PROSE

Not every line of Shakespeare’s work is written in iambic pentameter. Often he simply wrote in prose, albeit embellished with poetic qualities. It’s easy to tell the difference:

Verse: The first word of an iambic pentameter line is ALWAYS capitalised, even if it’s a continuation of a sentence from the previous line.

Prose: Prose lines are not capitalised, unless the norms of sentence structure require it.

RHYME

Shakespeare often uses rhyme to emphasise the poetics of the line, especially to signify the closing lines of a particular scene. Throughout these retellings, the rhyme structure is followed (although not always using the same word Shakespeare used to rhyme with.)

_______

For more information on this play, including character profiles, scene summaries, and learning resources, visit:

www.shakespeareretold.com/macbeth

Key Characters

MACBETH

Macbeth is a valiant and loyal soldier until he encounters three weird witches who predict he will be thane of Cawdor and then king. Overwhelmed with ambition, he intervenes to ensure the prophesy comes true by killing the king.

Through fear and guilt, he conducts increasingly violent actions to retain power, including killing Macduff’s wife and children. Unsure how it will all unfold, he revisits the witches to learn his fate. They tell him he can’t be killed by someone borne of a woman, and he must only fear when Birnam Wood comes to his castle at Dunsinane – both of which seem impossible, leaving him confident of his invincibility.

However, the English army chop trees from Birnam Wood to disguise themselves on approach to Dunsinane. Macduff reveals he was born prematurely, ripped unnaturally from his mother’s womb, fulfilling the witches final prophesy. Macduff decapitates Macbeth, thereby making Malcolm king.

LADY MACBETH

After reading of the witches’ prophesy for her husband, Lady Macbeth encourages him to act by killing the king, against his better judgement. She belittles him into action.

As the evil of their actions engulf them, Lady Macbeth reveals her guilt when sleepwalking, then dies of her madness.

DUNCAN

A peaceful king of Scotland, Duncan rewards Macbeth and Banquo with honours, but is murdered by Macbeth in his castle on the same day.

BANQUO

Macbeth’s fellow valiant solider, he is told by the witches that although he won’t be king, his children will be.

Macbeth becomes concerned about Banquo’s intentions, having him murdered. Banquo’s ghost returns to taunt Macbeth at a feast for his coronation.

MACDUFF

Weary of Macbeth’s leadership, Macduff leaves for England, leaving his wife and children behind. When he learns Macbeth has killed them, he vows revenge, returning with the English army, eventually killing Macbeth in a sword fight.

MALCOLM

Son of King Duncan, Malcolm and his brother Donalbain flee when their father is found dead, fearing for their own lives.

Malcolm leads the English army to attack Macbeth and his soldiers, taking over as king after Macduff kills Macbeth.

LADY MACDUFF

Seen only briefly, she laments her husband leaving her alone with her children in the dangerous state of Scotland. She is murdered along with her children by servants of Macbeth.

THE THREE WITCHES

With strange behaviour throughout, the weird witches predict Macbeth’s fortune and downfall.

MACBETH

ACT 1

ACT 1, SCENE 1

A DESERT PLACE.

[THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. ENTER THREE WITCHES]

FIRST WITCH

When shall we three meet again

When will we three meet again?

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

SECOND WITCH

When the hurlyburly's done,

When the raucous battle’s done,

When the battle's lost and won.

When someone’s lost, and someone’s won.

THIRD WITCH

That will be ere the set of sun.

That will precede the setting sun.

FIRST WITCH

Where the place?

Where shall we meet?

SECOND WITCH

Upon the heath.

Upon the heath.

THIRD WITCH

There to meet with Macbeth.

That’s where we’ll meet Macbeth.

FIRST WITCH

I come, Graymalkin!

[to her cat] I’m coming, Graymalkin.

SECOND WITCH

Paddock calls.

My toad, Paddock, is calling.

THIRD WITCH

Anon.

[to her spirit] I’ll be there soon.

ALL

Fair is foul, and foul is fair:

What’s fair is foul; what’s foul is fair;

Hover through the fog and filthy air.

Let’s fly through foggy, filthy air.

[EXEUNT]

ACT 1, SCENE 2

A CAMP NEAR FORRES.

[ALARUM WITHIN. ENTER DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, WITH ATTENDANTS, MEETING A BLEEDING SERGEANT]

DUNCAN

What bloody man is that? He can report,

Who is this bleeding man? He can explain,

As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt

I guess by how he looks, about the battle

The newest state.

And all the latest news.

MALCOLM

This is the sergeant

This is the sergeant,

Who like a good and hardy soldier fought

Who fought, like any tough and decent soldier,

'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave friend!

To keep my freedom. I salute you, brave friend!

Say to the king the knowledge of the broil

Now tell the king what you know of the battle

As thou didst leave it.

That you just left.

SERGEANT

Doubtful it stood;

It seemed precarious,

As two spent swimmers, that do cling together

Like two exhausted swimmers clung together

And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald--

So neither swimmer swims. Ruthless Macdonwald

Worthy to be a rebel, for to that

– He earns the title ‘ruthless’ for himself

The multiplying villanies of nature

For every evil, nasty trait of man

Do swarm upon him--from the western isles

Appears in him – came from the Hebrides

Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;

With battle-axed armed warriors and soldiers;

And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,

And lady-luck smiled on his wretched battle

Showed like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak:

Like whores grant vile requests. But they were no match

For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--

For brave Macbeth – he well deserves that title –

Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,

Despite the odds against him, raised his sword,

Which smoked with bloody execution,

Dripping with blood from those he’d killed before,

Like valour's minion carved out his passage

And like a gallant son, carved out a path

Till he faced the slave;

Until he faced the enemy;

Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,

He didn’t shake his hand nor say goodbye

Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chaps,

Until he’d gutted him from neck to belly

And fixed his head upon our battlements.

And stuck his chopped-off head upon our fort.

DUNCAN

O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!

A fearless son, a gentleman indeed!

SERGEANT

As whence the sun 'gins his reflection

But, like when, on a sunny summer’s day,

Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,

A thunderous storm erupts that might sink ships,

So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come

From that same place of warm complacency

Discomfort swells. Mark, king of Scotland, mark:

A problem stirred. Now, King of Scotland, listen:

No sooner justice had with valour armed

No sooner had we fought our way to victory

Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels,

And sent those soldiers running in defeat,

But the Norweyan lord surveying vantage,

The lord of Norway, spotting an advantage,

With furbished arms and new supplies of men

Lined up new fit and fully armoured men

Began a fresh assault.

And launched a fresh attack.

DUNCAN

Dismayed not this

Weren’t they concerned,

Our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?

Our captains, Banquo and Macbeth?

SERGEANT

Yes;

Oh yes,

As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.

As birds fear eagles, and as hares fear lions.

If I say sooth, I must report they were

If I speak truthfully, I tell you they

As cannons overcharged with double cracks, so they

Were fired up like double-loaded cannons

Doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe:

And doubled-down their sword strokes on their foe.

Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds,

If they were striving for their rival’s bloodbath

Or memorise another Golgotha,

Or recreating where Jesus had died,

I cannot tell.

I cannot say.

But I am faint, my gashes cry for help.

But I am feeling faint; my wounds need treating.

DUNCAN

So well thy words become thee as thy wounds;

Your words are creditworthy, like your wounds:

They smack of honour both. Go get him surgeons.

They both bring honour to you. Get him surgeons.

[EXIT SERGEANT, ATTENDED]

Who comes here?

Who’s coming here?

[ENTER ROSS]

MALCOLM

The worthy thane of Ross.

The worthy Thane of Ross.

LENNOX

What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he look

He has a look of panic in his eyes!

That seems to speak things strange.

His face suggests strange news.

ROSS

God save the king!

God save the king!

DUNCAN

Whence camest thou, worthy thane?

Where have you come from, Thane?

ROSS

From Fife, great king;

From Fife, great king,

Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky

Where, mockingly, the flag of Norway flies

And fan our people cold.

And terrifies our people.

Norway himself, with terrible numbers,

The King of Norway, backed by massive numbers,

Assisted by that most disloyal traitor

Assisted by that most disloyal traitor

The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict;

The thane of Cawdor, fought to overwhelm us;

Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapped in proof,

But armed, liked he’d just wed the goddess of war,

Confronted him with self-comparisons,

Confronted Norway’s King with equal force,

Point against point rebellious, arm 'gainst arm.

Repelling, stab-for-stab and arm-for-arm,

Curbing his lavish spirit: and, to conclude,

To break his cocky ego; and, when done,

The victory fell on us.

The victory was ours.

DUNCAN

Great happiness!

What happy news!

ROSS

That now

So now,

Sweno, the Norways' king, craves composition:

Sweno, the King of Norway, wants a truce.

Nor would we deign him burial of his men

We wouldn’t even let his men be buried

Till he disbursed at Saint Colme's inch

Until he had withdrawn to Inchcolm island,

Ten thousand dollars to our general use.

And paid us, without clause, ten thousand dollars.

DUNCAN

No more that thane of Cawdor shall deceive

The thane of Cawdor will not cheat and harm

Our bosom interest: go pronounce his present death,

What we hold dear again; go, execute him,

And with his former title greet Macbeth.

And grant his former title to Macbeth.

ROSS

I'll see it done.

I’ll get it done.

DUNCAN

What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.

What he has lost, noble Macbeth has won.

[EXEUNT]

ACT 1, SCENE 3

A HEATH NEAR FORRES.

[THUNDER. ENTER THE THREE WITCHES]

FIRST WITCH

Where hast thou been, sister?

Where have you been, sister?

SECOND WITCH

Killing swine.

Killing farmers’ pigs.

THIRD WITCH

Sister, where thou?

And sister, where’ve you been?

FIRST WITCH

A sailor's wife had chestnuts in her lap,

I met a sailor’s wife, sat with some chestnuts;

And munched, and munched, and munched:--

She ate them all! She scoffed them all herself!

'Give me', quoth I:

Give me one, I said.

'Aroint thee, witch!' the rump-fed ronyon cries.

Get lost, you witch! that greedy fat cow said.

Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o' the Tiger:

Her husband is Aleppo bound, The Tiger’s captain.

But in a sieve I'll thither sail,

Towards him, in a sieve I’ll sail,

And, like a rat without a tail,

And like a rat without a tail,

I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do.

I’ll do a load of things to him.

SECOND WITCH

I'll give thee a wind.

I’ll send a wind for you.

FIRST WITCH

Thou'rt kind.

How kind you are.

THIRD WITCH

And I another.

I’ll send one too.

FIRST WITCH

I myself have all the other,

I control all other winds,

And the very ports they blow,

And from which place they blow,

All the quarters that they know

And which direction they will go,

I' the shipman's card.

Upon the Captain’s compass.

I will drain him dry as hay:

I’ll stop him drinking, dry as hay;

Sleep shall neither night nor day

He will not sleep at night nor day,

Hang upon his pent-house lid;

His eyelids closed to make it worse;

He shall live a man forbid:

He’ll live transfixed under my curse:

Weary se'nnights nine times nine

For eighty-one times, week by week

Shall he dwindle, peak and pine:

He’ll waste away from past his peak.

Though his bark cannot be lost,

Though his boat cannot be lost,

Yet it shall be tempest-tost.

It will be in a tempest tossed.

Look what I have.

Look what I’ve got here.

SECOND WITCH

Show me, show me.

Show me, show me.

FIRST WITCH

Here I have a pilot's thumb,

Here I have a pilot’s thumb,

Wrecked as homeward he did come.

Shipwrecked as he did homeward come.

[DRUM WITHIN]

THIRD WITCH

A drum, a drum!

A drum, a drum!

Macbeth doth come.

Macbeth does come.

ALL

The weird sisters, hand in hand,

Us weird sisters, hand in hand,

Posters of the sea and land,

Travellers over sea and land,

Thus do go about, about:

Dance around, around we go:

Thrice to thine and thrice to mine

Three times your way, three times to mine,

And thrice again, to make up nine.

Three times again to make it nine.

Peace! The charm's wound up.

Quiet now! The spell’s ready to cast.

[ENTER MACBETH AND BANQUO]

MACBETH

So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

Such dismal weather on this fateful day.

BANQUO

How far is't called to Forres? What are these

How far is it to Forres? What are these

So withered and so wild in their attire,

So haggard, dressed in scruffy, mangy clothes,

That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth,

That do not look like they live here on earth,

And yet are on't? Live you? Or are you aught

But yet they’re here? Are you alive? And can you

That man may question? You seem to understand me,

Reply to questions? You seem to understand me,

By each at once her chappy finger laying

For you all put a manky finger on

Upon her skinny lips: you should be women,

Your skinny