TEXT:
MACBETH
That will never be
Who can impress the forest, bid the tree
Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! Good!
Rebellious dead, rise never till the wood
Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth
Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath
To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart
Throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art
Can tell so much: shall Banquo's issue ever
Reign in this kingdom?
ALL
Seek to know no more.
MACBETH
I will be satisfied: deny me this,
And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know.
Why sinks that cauldron? and what noise is this?
Hautboys
First Witch
Show!
Second Witch
Show!
Third Witch
Show!
ALL
Show his eyes, and grieve his heart;
Come like shadows, so depart!
A show of Eight Kings, the last with a glass in his hand; GHOST OF BANQUO following
MACBETH
Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo: down!
Thy crown does sear mine eye-balls. And thy hair,
Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first.
A third is like the former. Filthy hags!
Why do you show me this? A fourth! Start, eyes!
What, will the line stretch out to the crack of doom?
Another yet! A seventh! I'll see no more:
And yet the eighth appears, who bears a glass
Which shows me many more; and some I see
That two-fold balls and treble scepters carry:
Horrible sight! Now, I see, 'tis true;
For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me,
And points at them for his.
Apparitions vanish
What, is this so?
First Witch
Ay, sir, all this is so: but why
Stands Macbeth thus amazedly?
Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites,
And show the best of our delights:
I'll charm the air to give a sound,
While you perform your antic round:
That this great king may kindly say,
Our duties did his welcome pay.
Music. The witches dance and then vanish, with HECATE
NOTES:
Rebellious Dead
As mentioned in the episode, editions differ on the wording of this line. The Folio says “rebellious dead, rise never…” while other versions often prefer “rebellion’s head…”. I’m drawn to the former, but you can make your own choice.
Hautboys
Again, these are impressive instruments, often used to herald ominous events, or the arrival of royalty. The arrival of Hecate, goddess of witches and magic, seems to be a bit of both!
Eight Kings
There are more extensive details within the episode, but the point of this specific mention of eight monarchs is Shakespeare’s way to flatter the house of Stewart and nod to the supposed connection between Banquo, Fleance and King James’ lineage. The eight potential monarchs in this line could be Robert the Second, Robert the Third, James the First, James-es the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. Mary, Queen of Scots, James’ mother and predecessor, would have been far too problematic to have put on the stage. (The play was created less than two decades after her controversial execution.) The last of the kings is directed to appear carrying a mirror - a terrific way to flatter the real King James in the audience of the play’s original production.