Macbeth in 21 Century English

Original Text | Modern Text | | | Enter BANQUO | BANQUO enters. | 510 | BANQUO Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all, As the weird women promised, and I fear Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them— As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine— Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But hush, no more. | BANQUO Now you have it all: you’re the king, the thane of Cawdor, and the thane of Glamis, just like the weird women promised you. And I suspect you cheated to win these titles. But it was also prophesied that the crown would not go to your descendants, and that my sons and grandsons would be kings instead. If the witches tell the truth—which they did about you—maybe what they said about me will come true too. But shhh! I’ll shut up now. | | Sennet sounded. Enter MACBETH, as king, LADY MACBETH, as queen, LENNOX, ROSS, LORDS,LADIES, and attendants | A trumpet plays. MACBETH enters dressed as king, and LADY MACBETH enters dressed as queen, together with LENNOX, ROSS, LORDS,LADIES, and their attendants | | MACBETH Here’s our chief guest. | MACBETH (indicating BANQUO) Here’s our most important guest. | | LADY MACBETH If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast, And all-thing unbecoming. | LADY MACBETH If we forgot him, our big celebration wouldn’t be complete, and that wouldn’t be any good. | 15 | MACBETH Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I’ll request your presence. | MACBETH (to BANQUO) Tonight we’re having a ceremonial banquet, and I want you to be there. | | BANQUO Let your highness Command upon me, to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie Forever knit. | BANQUO Whatever your highness commands me to do, it is