Original: My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Modern: My earlier words have only touched on what you’re thinking,

Original: Which can interpret further: only, I say,
Modern: And you can figure out the rest yourself: all I’m saying is,

Original: Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan
Modern: Things have been handled in a strange way. The good King Duncan

Original: Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
Modern: Was pitied by Macbeth—but of course, Duncan was already dead:

Original: And the right-valiant Banquo walk’d too late;
Modern: And the brave Banquo was walking around too late at night;

Original: Whom, you may say, if’t please you, Fleance kill’d,
Modern: Who, you could say if you wanted to, was killed by Fleance,

Original: For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late.
Modern: Since Fleance ran away—men shouldn’t be out walking so late.

Original: Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
Modern: Who can’t help but think how horrible

Original: It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
Modern: It was for Malcolm and Donalbain

Original: To kill their gracious father? damned fact!
Modern: To kill their own good father? What a terrible crime!

Original: How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight
Modern: How it upset Macbeth! Didn’t he immediately

Original: In pious rage the two delinquents tear,
Modern: In righteous anger tear apart those two criminals,

Original: That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Modern: Who were drunk and groggy from sleep?

Original: Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;
Modern: Wasn’t that nobly done? Yes, and smart too;

Original: For ‘twould have anger’d any heart alive
Modern: Because it would have angered anyone alive

Original: To hear the men deny’t. So that, I say,
Modern: To hear those men deny it. So I’m saying,

Original: He has borne all things well: and I do think
Modern: He has handled everything well: and I think

Original: That had he Duncan’s sons under his key–
Modern: That if he had Duncan’s sons locked up—

Original: As, an’t please heaven, he shall not–they should find
Modern: Which, God willing, he won’t—they would discover

Original: What ‘twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
Modern: What it’s like to kill a father; and so should Fleance.

Original: But, peace! for from broad words and ‘cause he fail’d
Modern: But enough of that! Because of his bold words and because he didn’t show up

Original: His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear
Modern: At the tyrant’s banquet, I hear

Original: Macduff lives in disgrace: sir, can you tell
Modern: Macduff is living in disgrace: sir, can you tell me

Original: Where he bestows himself?
Modern: Where he’s hiding out?

In Act III, Scene 6 of Macbeth, Lennox speaks with another lord in a conversation that reveals the growing suspicion and unrest among the Scottish nobility regarding Macbeth’s recent actions. Lennox recounts the suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths of Duncan and Banquo, speaking with heavy irony about how “strange” it is that Duncan died after being Macbeth’s guest, and how Banquo was murdered shortly after failing to attend Macbeth’s feast. He sarcastically notes how convenient it was that Macbeth killed Duncan’s guards in a fit of rage before they could be questioned, and how Fleance’s escape from the attack that killed his father Banquo might be viewed as suspicious by Macbeth.

The other lord informs Lennox that Macduff has fled to England to join Malcolm, Duncan’s son, who has been received with honor at the English court. The lord reveals that Malcolm and Macduff are seeking the help of England’s pious King Edward to restore rightful rule to Scotland and remove the tyrant Macbeth from power. Lennox expresses hope for their success, noting that their cause might bring relief to Scotland’s suffering and restore proper order to the troubled kingdom. The scene concludes with both men agreeing that Macduff’s mission represents hope for Scotland’s liberation from Macbeth’s tyrannical rule.

Macbeth: Plot Summary

Macbeth, a Scottish general and Thane of Glamis, encounters three witches on a heath following a victorious battle against rebels and Norwegian invaders. The witches prophesy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland, and that his companion Banquo’s descendants will inherit the throne. When King Duncan almost immediately grants Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth begins to contemplate the possibility of fulfilling the rest of the prophecy. Urged on by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan in his sleep while the king is a guest at their castle. Macbeth frames Duncan’s chamberlains for the murder, and Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee the country out of fear for their own lives, which causes them to fall under suspicion for their father’s death. Macbeth is crowned King of Scotland.

As king, Macbeth grows increasingly paranoid and ruthless. Troubled by the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will be kings, he arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to be murdered. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. At a royal banquet, Macbeth is visited by Banquo’s ghost, causing him to behave erratically in front of his assembled nobles. Lady Macbeth attempts to cover for her husband, but the dinner dissolves in confusion. Macbeth returns to the witches, who present him with new prophecies warning him to beware of Macduff, the Thane of Fife, but assuring him that no man born of woman can harm him, and that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane Hill. Taking comfort in what seem to be impossible conditions, Macbeth orders the massacre of Macduff’s castle, killing his wife and children.

Macduff has traveled to England to join Malcolm, Duncan’s son, and together they raise an army against Macbeth. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth, tormented by guilt, descends into madness and ultimately dies, reportedly by her own hand. Malcolm’s army cuts down branches from Birnam Wood to use as camouflage as they march on Macbeth’s castle at Dunsinane, fulfilling one of the witches’ prophecies. In the ensuing battle, Macbeth encounters Macduff, who reveals that he was delivered by caesarean section and was therefore not, in the traditional sense, born of woman. Macduff kills Macbeth in combat. Malcolm is proclaimed the rightful King of Scotland and order is restored to the kingdom.