Click on the underlined words in the text for a definition here
doing the deed
positive
curt
A river in Hades (one of five, this one of woe), compared to the cave where he meets the witches
proverb - the saying is"the cat would eat fish, but would not wet her feet
The forked tongue of the adder.
additional title
agree
astonishing crazed behaviour
affirmed
drawn in the air
an expression of dismay or surprise
battle noise not on the stage
call to arms
city in Syria
always have it in your mind
in every way
wrong
genius, demon
at once
when he was crowned king, Duncan would have been anointed with holy oil, to signify that he was God's deputy on Earth
self-injury
if
old-fashioned
comic dance performed in a circle
Roman orator, politician and soldier around 80-30 BC. His love affair with Cleopatra split the empire, and he lost the war to Octavian (Augustus Caesar).
Mark Antony's spirit was said to have been subdued by Julius Caesar. Macbeth has this effect on Banquo
quickly
subject or theme, topic of discussion
begone (go away)
made by art
as if
as to cross to the other side
The greatest of skill
closely
whenever you would be so kind as to spare the time
A group of ancient Roman religious officials who foretold events by observing and interpreting signs and omens
obscure place
greed
go away
keep out of its way
affirms
for ever
wearing the badges of their profession ( as murderers)
evil, harm
small ship
bats often live in old churches with cloisters
listen to your advice
to confront boldly
be fitting for
hags
the devil
the beetle flies at night and makes a humming noise which sounds like a curfews bell
ahead (in merit)
deceive
bellmen rang bells to announce a death in Elizabethan times
the Roman goddess of war
make ready, stretch tight, like a bow - reference back to sticking place
blessing
determined
housed, settled
is staying
stands over
early
say I did it because I wanted to
a wood twelve miles from Dunsinane hill, where Macbeth's castle stands
native land
evil
unripe, when the ear of the corn is still green
a slow worm
hair clotted with blood
murder demands to be avenged with the death of the murderer
stained with Duncan's blood
deadly distance (distance is a technical term in fencing for the space between two fencers)
prophecies
in addition
handled, managed
been so fine and fair a king and has been so humble in exercising his powers
deluded, deceived
stay out after nightfall
heart free from guilt
love
there are equal numbers of people sitting on each side of the table
heaven and earth
deliriously
mention
clothed (in breeches)
ready to flow
quickly
brindled (brown,with stripes of some other colour)
conduct
plain spoken
plain speaking, gossip
battle
broke out of their stables
to spread news, make noise
misfortunes
this single blow
instead I must lament his death
judging by
shut up as though in a small cabin or hut
summons to a discussion
can fail to think
drinking
enveloping
"The cat would eat fish, but would not wet her feet."
advice
opinions
courtesy
is angry
a cup or goblet,especially those used in religious ceremonies
attendants in a bed chamber
jaws
houses for storing the bones of the dead
drive away
entrails
angels in the second order
reproached
the main dish at a feast was the second course - the starter, or appetiser would be eaten first
hinder each other's skill
chapped ( rough and red)
a term of endearment
with an honest face
lend support or allegiance
called
burdens
heal up
secret planner
desk
sullen
convenient corner
place where Scottish kings were buried, on the island of Iona
flags
allied
future
prescribes
Satan, who is the enemy of all men, no just of one man in particular
surrounded
a truce of peace treaty
having feelings of pity
confuse
to ruin or destroy
damnation
chaos
firmness
fighting against the training that made them obedient
restraining
overpower
copyright - control
a type of lease
solid, having a body
physical faculty
imitation
look at
a bout in bear baiting, where a bear is tied to a stake and attacked by dogs
chased
cousin
the thunder at the dawn of doom
begs for peace
crickets were thought by the Elizabethans to herald death
thwarted
heads
the curtains are those of the four poster bed
A usually flat-topped or convex flower cluster in which the main axis and each branch end in a flower that opens before the flowers below or to the side of it. Refers to senna.
fussy about saying a formal goodbye
boldly
deeply felt
social ranks (which would determine the order in which the quests should sit
report to you
communicates to us
a cross between dogs and wolves
refuses to come
aim
terrible confusion
worst
paid
scouting reports
fall to pieces, collapse
management
banished, upset
fight against it; reason upon it
unseat
hostility
born in a ditch
diverse, varied
do off, put off
sadness
ended, performed, carried out
a double load of ammunition
two reasons for trusting - in context, as Macbeth's king and his family
fear, suspect
insecure
comfortable (stuffed with the down - feathers - of geese and ducks)
whore
terrible to hear of
become drowsy
handle of a dagger
darkest
dared
pledge, money paid beforehand
easily
eaten her litter of nine piglets - only an unnatural sow would do this, and so her blood would be poisonous
any state of being beside one's self
Edward the Confessor, king of England
act, actions
term of contempt
distinction
the tailor had tried to steal material when he was making tight fitting breeches and so made them too tight and was caught
incite
enough
bury
a person devoted to luxury (especially with food), the root of hedonisitic philosophy was Epicureanism as defined by the Greeks
a person who speaks ambiguously, perhaps to mislead. Here is alludes to the 1606 trial of Henry Garnet, accused of treason.
get to heaven by equivocation
before
royal dignity, succession to the crown
immortal soul
perpetual
angered
They leave the stage
those guests who are expected
haste
prolong
act deed
powers, prerogatives
gladly
treachery
a witch's evil spirit who acts as a servant
imaginary
a farmerlitter of pigs
pardon, countenance, face
objects of fears
feeding
"grief that hath a single owner" (private grief)
scalp
equal
swamp or marsh
from the fens (low-lying, marshy land)
used to express distaste or disapproval
a county in eastern Scotland, Macduff is the thane of Fife
list of qualities
made foul, defiled
slice
once for all from the beginning to the end
fitspasm of fear
fits o' the seasonmoods of the time
outbursts and alarms
fleeting
trumpet fanfare announcing the king
mock,defy
fly from me
plenty, rich harvests, abundance
attends
cursed, blasted
strengthened (reinforced)
armies gathered (levied) abroad
fabricate, invent
a town in northern Scotland
perjured
a paradox - it is both horrible and lovely at the same time
firmly fixed
structure of creation
free, unstained
freely
honest, honourable
remove, do away
complains
frighten, terrify
literally a swarm of young fishes; here used as a term of contempt
offspring
power of action
burnished
she is transported in her imagination into the future and feels as though it is already the present
so that the enemy did not capture me
a bitter liquid found in the liver
heavy-armed Irish troops
guardian spirit which influences destiny
senses which are soothed (by the "gentle" air)
gentle wealcivilised country
germs, seeds, origins
beget, be the father of
gallows
a trap to catch birds
entertain people, as a host should do
proclaims
mirror
go a long way round. After a long journey the horses would be sweating, and it would be be necessary for the grooms to walk them until they were cool
the crown
Where Jesus was crucified, "place of the skull"
"the chance of success
die
a tailor's smoothing iron, the handle resembling a goose's neck
A monster of Greek myth, whose look could turn a person to stone, as with Medusa.
versed in the first four books of the New Testament, the Gospels
drops
honour
gracious, full of graces
Grandmother
The first witch's familiar, a grey cat
the greatest of the three prophesies is the last, and has not yet happened
sickly, as if hope had a hangover
grasp
Lady Macbeth makes a cruel pun here on guilt and gilt
gullet (throat or oesophagus)
travelled faster than he did
appearance
a half-wit
the hangman drew the entrails from his victims, and cut them into quarters, after hanging them. Therefore his hands would be covered in blood
a herald, forerunner, an officer of the king's household
with difficulty
injuries
hit, touched
familiar of the third witch, maybe derived from harpy (a bird with a woman's head, part of Greek myth)
born
high-pitched wind instruments, oboes
have plenty of
pounced upon from the air, as a hawk catches its prey
there is no need for him to mistrust us
talk with
the heart of any man
a large piece of land with just low shrubs and herbage, a moor
sadly
goddess of the witches
hedgehog
a thick soup strong enough for the devil
here's a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty the farmer had hoarded his corn, hoping for a famine so that the price of corn would rise; hearing that the harvests were good ( and the price would fall) he hanged himselfhasten
matched
withholds his birthright
helped
humble
blind
guard-dog
hour or two
owlet - a baby owl
what do you think!
a groan
human
murmurs
tumult, uproar
economy
tigers from Hyrcania, formerly a region south of the Caspian Sea, were very fierce
night was the best time for gathering poisonous herbs and roots
a direct lie
composed of evil qualities
evil
evil that must accompany the ambition
enlist (as a soldier)
at the right moment
in charge of the execution
in trust
in God's great protection
dye, scarlet, make blood-red
angered
takes visible form
takes shape in this way
the fear of a beginner who needs practice
hemlock, which can make you insane, or kill you like Socrates
present moment
exclusion
delay
can't be cut or penetrated
falsehood
made king
Macbeth's castle in Dunsinane, in northern Scotland.
has set
joyful
deceitful
risk
exactly
projection
remains seated on the throne of state
keeps me fenced in. The 'pale' was he boundary dividing one country's land from another's
light-armed Irish troops
Irish soldiers, gallowglasses carry axes
nobles
scavenging birds
funeral bell
bound
rung
knowledge
requirement
wrapped
unrestrained
gifts
catch the sound of
late recent lated belatedwash
term of natural life
leave off
excessive sexual activity, lewdness
the dregs left after the best part of wine is gone, and is compared to what is left with the loss of the best part of life
in case there is need to call for us
descended
cowardly
a chemist's flask used for distilling wine
appointed
strengthen (as the lining strengthens a garment)
lion-hearted
place of combat, the lists
entire
housed
blown flat
put on the appropriate appearance (which is that of the welcoming host)
act normal, without troubles
brute
this refers to the king's body, as the king was though to be God's representative
contrived
magpies and choughs and rooks are birds that can be taught to talk
give an account
make me insensitive, by blocking up all the pathways by which remorse can reach my heart
proper clothing
building
listen
an oath ("By the Virgin Mary")
makes him impotent
a bird from the swallow family, a martin, it often nests in churches
bewildered
stomachs
stomach and throat
must not lose
a cup of wine would be passed round the table, and each man would drink from it
proper
make as memorable as
absolutely
supernatural - helped by the witches
spirit, courage
best of their breed
every minute
messengers
imitation
ordinary
tombs
deadly
thoughts of death or murder
dead
munched, chewed with closed lips
that catches mice
evil agents
wonder
was destined to be
prophets for me
elected
enough handkerchiefs to wipe sweat caused by the heat of hell
vile thing
instincts
the seeds of all creation
navel, middle
shipping
nearest to the throne
most vital organs
latest condition
inaccurate
stingy person
a curfew bell, rung when men are yawning with tiredness
dressing gown
music
without equal
the Norwegian king
Norwegian
drink makes the nose red
notoriety
the list of guests expected for the banquet
the mind of a madman
not at all
causing forgetfulness
owl
, the bird of darknesstries to jump too high and so falls
by
duty, employment
of
of his
of it
the hemisphere that is in darkness
unfolded
battle plan
before
other man's
the evil spirits that the witches serve
it is time for us to go
one another
did outrun
overshadow
redden over
own, possess
owned
an owl's screech was considered to portend death
The second witch's
familiar, a toadtrouble
wrap, shroud
trifle (deal dishonestly)
special qualities
patricide - murder of their father
demonstrated to you
strong emotion
delayer, that which makes you stop and think
is its own reward
dwindle away
without an equal
hanging
eyelid
well, completely safe
the best time that I can see for he murder
disruption
troubled
cures
snare
commit suicide the way way Roman officials to avoid being captured
may it please
oath of allegiance to the King
wounded condition
feeble
those without rich plumage
dejectedly, feebly
endurable
fill
a hot drink of milk, wine, and spices
fast travellers
chatter
chatterbox
superior power
present time
immediately
intend
highest point of the falcon's flight
the easy path
The title of the king's successor, the heir to the Scottish throne
I pray thee (please)
proved armour
fine, excellent
nonsense
show publicly, proclaim
rein in
cleansing (such as a laxative or cathartic)
cleansed
an officer of the king sent before to provide food for the king and his retinue, as the harbinger provided lodging
attack, onset
a heap of slaughtered game
stop, (in context) murder
cooled, put out the fire
investigate
bitterness
amazed, lost in his own thoughts
sanction
yarn or thread that is tangled or twisted
ravenous
devour
hurry
erase
receptacle
believed, accepted
swerve
narrative
smack
tip the porter for opening the gate
pity
surrendered
rest
ask her to give
paid him back
decide in private
remain
give back, render
The dried, bitter-tasting rhizome and roots of Rheum palmatum or R. officinale of eastern Asia, used as a laxative.
a term of contempt
gathered under one roof
gloomy
crown
problems and mistakes
a creature that eats trash
unholy
with a sure regard to
Inch is Scots for "island". Inchcolm.
droop, sink
sharp, intruding
blindfold
control
the ancient coronation place of the kings of Scotland
wounded
qualms, doubts
preservative
situation, site
fixed firmly
the second crow of the rooster (3 AM)
over confidence
sewing up the eyes of falcons to make them tame (blinding)
self-delusion
measuring himself with the other
very same
The dried leaves of Cassia angustifolia or Cassia acutifolia (which are pinnately compound leaves and showy, nearly regular, usually yellow flowers) used medicinally as a cathartic (for emotional release).
a trumpet call for formal entrances and exits
perceptible, tangible
able to be felt as well as seen
dry and withered
showed
determined
weeks
one who tasted each dish to prove there was no poison in it
hide
arrow
having hairy ears
having shaggy hair
am ashamed
borne by scaly wing-cases
shethe moon
steal away
show favour (as the sun shines)
a card used by sailors showing the compass
a kind of shaggy dog
enclosed, enveloped
ended the day
be surfeited
invisible
invisible messengers - the winds
The former thane of Glamis, Macbeth's father
individual
a term of endearment
particularly used for children and servantsscour
sticky
caught while it was asleep
sleave-silk, skein of wool or silk
smooth down
let slip
missed the time
cuttings
cut during the creepy time when the moon is in an eclipse
bend
have the taste, savour
steamed
as well
alone, mere
formal dinner
nothing less than the power of the king
incitement, persuasion
entreats, moves by prayer
some distance from
sometimes
strange
heavily burdened
saddest
kingship
intelligence
exhausted
imbibing like a sponge
source
ghosts, spirits
Note
constancy
lance
stamped coin
insatiable
remain
pay no attention to the formalities with which you should leave
is unbelievable
let my eyeballs fall from their sockets
startled actions
chair of State
noble rank, condition
position
wait
sword
dyed
stirring, moving
awake
overcharging for
It could also refer to the strings of a lute or guitar which must be tightened until they are taught and reached their "sticking place"
place of burial
strange tales which they have invented
afflicted with strange diseases
chokes the sun (with clouds)
Macbeth is both Duncan's subject and kinsman
crammed, full to bursting
bribed (subordinated)
forms
violent
perish
temptation, incitement
had supper
cessation
servants who had too much wine
noticing, perceiving
am directed by
swears allegiance
sweated
sound
guarantee
break the present horrible silence which is appropriate at this time
murder
be infected
The son of a Roman king who raped his friend's wife, named Lucrece. Shakespeare also wrote a long poem on this subject
A member of any of the Turkic and Mongolian peoples of central Asia who invaded western Asia and eastern Europe in the Middle Ages. Often used to mean a violent person.
troublesome
teems with
moderation, self-restraint
care, attention
wait on
Scottish noble
Banquo's life, which Macbeth thinks of as a legal document
from the place we had expected hop, came further trouble
scrofula was a disease of the lymph glands thought to be cured by the king's touch. James I, like Edward the Confessor in the play, thought to cure victim's of the king's evil by touching them
let the eye not see what the hand is doing
the other winds
the porter cannot remember the name of another devil
the scales held by the statue of Justice
therewith
Macbeth's eyes are almost falling out of his head at the sight of his bloody hands
that which is necessary to give you life
desire to drink
This is indeed only for you by your fear
those honours bestowed in the past
slaves, captives
threaten
like a fencer's sword
thunder was often thought to be the voice of God, reminding the evil-doer of his crimes, and warning him to repent
due to you
till
betimes, early
timeserver one who changes his opinions to suit the timespossessions
to get to the inn in time (before dark)
to greet Macbeth to come before the king, but these thanks are not the only payment he will receive
to throw him down (by urinating)
to the last detail
overtop, surpass
full to the top, brimful
affection, feeling
injured, hurt
trifles
follow
deal
artifices, devices
up, entangle as in a net
convey
change
the sun
crimes of treason that merit capital punishment (death)
story
hacked
angered
made trifling, made to sink into insignificance
rightful heir
believed completely
dragged about by
a person from Turkey or a Moslem
Orbs (sphere topped by a cross) signifying royalty. This refers to King James - James VI of Scotland and James I of England; one sceptre is used in Scotland and two are used in an English coronation
usurper
relax (his strength has previously been bent like a bow)
less than you deserved
hidden design
make to stand on end
a hand that does not belong to my descendants
indecently
beardless
ripped him open from the navel to the jaws
(in context) take away my soft, feminine characteristics
recall, withdraw
born prematurely, by Caesarean section
having no title or claim
to
as fast as you can think it
in support of Malcolm
ready to move - to express itself in words or actions
in this life - life is a sandbank in the sea of eternity
experience
cherishing, entertaining
opportunity
it was believed that the moon shed a foam with magical powers onto various herbs
poison. All the ingredients of the witches' cooking-pot were thought by the Elizabethans to be poisonous, or at least unnatural.
truthfulness
truths which have been proved in your case
masks
assured, warranted
follow
lacks
guard
justified
drinking, partying, merrymaking
waking
water dogs, a kind of poodle
we'd take no notice of the punishment we might suffer in the afterlife
welfare, can also be used to mean skin raised by a blow (welt)
Weird meant fate, and the Weird sisters were the witches
why
pallid (white) face, as from fear
whether it is night or morning
they must be performed before they are studied
during the course of the banquet
till then
whispers to
healthy
the wolf's howl is like the cry of the night-watchman (who patrolled the streets in Elizabethan England
need to be done
Macbeth compares the earth with a wine cellar. He compares the death of Duncan with the removal of all the good wine, so that now it can only boast of the dregs that remain
a medicine, either powder or liquid, made by witches from dead bodies
with
outside
without any effort from me
ignored
whoever is outside (offstage)
testimony, evidence
Lennox is referring to the war with Norway, but his words also describe the actions of the previous night
the short hair nearest the skin of a bat
heaven and earth
small serpent
agitated, worked
a peal which lulls to sleep
foamy (from the yeast used to make beer)
a tree thought to be poisonous
you make me feel like a stranger to my own nature
your relatives
inexperienced