LADY MACBETH'S SPEECH: EXPLORING AND INTERPRETING THROUGH DRAMA
Based on activities by Rex Gibson

In circle: say other group member’s name, using whole arm to point to them.

Designated person reads the speech throughout with expression.

Individually, select two words from the speech that leap out at the reader. Point this word
around the circle as in the name pointing game.

Break into four circles – use whole arm as pointing and expressing device.

Designated person reads speech but when chosen words occur, those who chose them say
them – as an echo or reinforcement.

In groups of four, decide how to break the speech up into chunks which correspond with the
different thoughts that occur to Lady M and discuss how she is feeling at each point.

Decide on four or five breaks in the speech and give to groups – prepare a reading of their
section, using vocal techniques used thus far – solo speaker; choral; speaking; echo etc.
Organise performance spatially in a way which reflects the meaning of the section.

Show speech in order.
SCENE V. Inverness. Macbeth's castle.
Enter LADY MACBETH, reading a letter
LADY MACBETH
1.
'They met me in the day of success: and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have
2.
more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they
3.
made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came
4.
missives from the king, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these
5.
weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt
6.
be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou
7.
mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.
8.
Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.'
9.
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be
10.
What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature;
11.
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
12.
To catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;
13.
Art not without ambition, but without
14.
The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,
15.
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
16.
And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great Glamis,
17.
That which cries 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;
18.
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
19.
Than wishest should be undone.' Hie thee hither,
20.
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
21.
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
22.
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
23.
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
24.
To have thee crown'd withal.
Enter a Messenger
'They met me in the day of success: and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have
more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they
made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came
missives from the king, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these
weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt
be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou
mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.
Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.'
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be
What thou art promised:
yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way:
thou wouldst be great;
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win:
thou'ldst have, great Glamis,
That which cries 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone.'
Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crown'd withal.
FIVE SECTIONS
'They met me in the day of success: and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have
more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they
made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came
missives from the king, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title, before, these
weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king that shalt
be!'
This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not
lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.
Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.'
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be
What thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way:
thou wouldst be great;
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,
That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,
And yet wouldst wrongly win:
thou'ldst have, great Glamis,
That which cries 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;
And that which rather thou dost fear to do
Than wishest should be undone.'
Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round,
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem
To have thee crown'd withal.