TEXT:
ACT V - SCENE I. Dunsinane. Ante-room in the castle.
Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman
Doctor
I have two nights watched with you, but can perceive
no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?
Gentlewoman
Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen
her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon
her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it,
write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again
return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.
Doctor
A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once
the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of
watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her
walking and other actual performances, what,
at any time, have you heard her say?
Gentlewoman
That, sir, which I will not report after her.
Doctor
You may to me: and 'tis most meet you should.
Gentlewoman
Neither to you nor any one; having no witness
to confirm my speech.
Enter LADY MACBETH, with a taper
Lo you, here she comes! This is her very guise;
and, upon my life, fast asleep.
Observe her; stand close.
Doctor
How came she by that light?
Gentlewoman
Why, it stood by her: she has light by her
continually; 'tis her command.
Doctor
You see, her eyes are open.
Gentlewoman
Ay, but their sense is shut.
Doctor
What is it she does now?
Look, how she rubs her hands.
Gentlewoman
It is an accustomed action with her,
to seem thus washing her hands:
I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.
NOTES:
Perturbation
Shakespeare seems to use this word almost exclusively for disturbances to a character’s sleep. Lady Macbeth and Henry the Fourth suffer some of literature’s rockiest nights. And Richard the Third has his own sleep perturbed by Lady Anne.
Sarah Siddons
Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) was one of the most famous actresses of her age. She gained enormous fame for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth, which she first performed in February 1785. She played a variety of other Shakespeare roles (including Hamlet, which she played repeatedly until she was 50) but her favourite role of all, rather surprisingly, was Catherine in Henry VIII. Siddons gives her name to the Sarah Siddons Award, presented every year to an actress in a Chicago theatre production. Amazingly, the award was originally fictitious, appearing at the opening of the classic Holylwood film All About Eve. Two years after the film was released, a real version was inaugurated, and it is now a prestigious award in the Chicago theatrical community. Pictured below is a portrait of Siddons in her signature role as Lady Macbeth.
