Cut Scene

Prompt Pages

Character Script

Acting-Upon-Avon

Macbeth Act IV Scene 2

	[In Fife, Macduff’s Castle. LADY MACDUFF does housework while the SON studies]
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Sirrah, your father's dead; And what will you do now? How will you live?	Lady Macduff is worried for the welfare of her son, as he no longer has a father.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON As birds do, mother.	The son tells her that he will live a nomadic life like a bird, getting what he can.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF What, with worms and flies?	Lady Macduff retorts with a negative connotation of his bird analogy. This sort of back-and-forth banter is continued throughout the scene, with the son being positive and Lady Macduff being negative.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON With what I get, I mean; and so do they.	The son explains what he meant by the bird analogy.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Poor bird! thou'ldst never fear the net nor lime, The pitfall nor the gin.	Lady Macduff says that her son would be a poor bird, as he would not know to avoid the hunters’ traps.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Why should I, mother? Poor birds they are not set for. My father is not dead, for all your saying.	The son replies that hunters would not want to hunt a bird as poor as himself. He also believes that his father is still alive.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Yes, he is dead; how wilt thou do for a father?	Lady Macduff refuses to believe that her husband is alive. She again feels sorry for her son.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Nay, how will you do for a husband?	The son in turn feels sorry for his mother. This shows that, despite their quips, they still have a very close relationship.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Why, I can buy me twenty at any market.	Lady Macduff deflects the question, saying that she is fine and can get another husband easily.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Then you'll buy 'em to sell again.	The son says that Lady Macduff would not really be happy with any other husband.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Thou speak'st with all thy wit: and yet, i' faith, With wit enough for thee.	Lady Macduff says, affectionately, that her son is very smart for his age.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Was my father a traitor, mother?	The son asks his mother if Macduff was a traitor.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Ay, that he was.	Lady Macduff replies that he was.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON What is a traitor?	The son, confused by this answer, wants to know the definition of a traitor.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Why, one that swears and lies.	Lady Macduff bitterly responds what she thinks Macduff was.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON And be all traitors that do so?	The son, probably keeping his father in mind, asks if there are no exceptions to her idea of a traitor.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Every one that does so is a traitor, and must be hanged.	Lady Macduff says that there are no exceptions, and all traitors should be hanged.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON And must they all be hanged that swear and lie?	The son, again keeping his father in mind, asks if there are any exceptions to her death penalty.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Every one.	She says that there aren’t exceptions.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Who must hang them?	He asks who should hang the traitors.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Why, the honest men.	She replies that the honest men should. This is foreshadowing and ironic, as the honest man, Macduff, will end up killing the traitor, Macbeth.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enow to beat the honest men and hang up them.	The son jokes that the traitors have an easier job because there are more of them. This also shows his innocence as a little boy, yet his keenness as a young man.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Now, God help thee, poor monkey! But how wilt thou do for a father?	Lady Macduff laughs at his joke, and then grows solemn again. She wonders what he could do without a father.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON If he were dead, you'ld weep for him: if you would not, it were a good sign that I should quickly have a new father.	He says that if his father were truly dead, Lady Macduff would be crying. However, he says that if she’s not crying, it means that she already knows whom she will marry now.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Poor prattler, how thou talk'st!	She says that he talks too much.
	[Enter a MESSENGER]
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	MESSENGER Bless you, fair dame! I am not to you known, Though in your state of honour I am perfect. I doubt some danger does approach you nearly: If you will take a homely man's advice, Be not found here; hence, with your little ones. Heaven preserve you! I dare abide no longer.	A messenger runs in, terrified. He says that even though she does not know him, he knows who she is very well because of her nobility. He says that danger is approaching, and she should run away with her son.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF Whither should I fly? I have done no harm.	Lady Macduff wonders why she should run, as she has done nothing wrong.
	[Enter FIRST MURDERER, who kills the MESSENGER]	As the runs offstage, a murderer enters and kills him.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	What are these faces?	Lady Macduff sees him and wonders who he is.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	FIRST MURDERER Where is your husband?	The first murderer asks where Macduff is.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	LADY MACDUFF I hope, in no place so unsanctified Where such as thou mayst find him.	Lady Macduff replies that she hopes he’s in a place where the murderers can never get to him.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	FIRST MURDERER (Macduff hath committed a crime so dire That it shakes me to my very marrow…)	(Acting-Upon-Avon added these lines to the play to provide an opportune moment for the second murderer to enter the stage) The first murderer says that Macduff has committed a great crime, and it hurts him greatly.
	[LADY MACDUFF attempts to run offstage, but SECOND MURDERER enters and knocks her down]
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SECOND MURDERER (Treason!)	The second murderer says this line the second he walks on stage and knocks down Lady Macduff. (Also added by Acting-Upon-Avon)
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	FIRST MURDERER ( Treason, yes treason I say now! Macduff is a traitor!)	The first murderer finishes saying that Macduff is a traitor.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON Thou liest, thou shag-hair'd villain!	The son, angered by such words about his father, attacks the first murderer.
	[The SON attacks the FIRST MURDERER]
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SECOND MURDERER What, you egg! [Stabbing him] Young fry of treachery!	The second murderer stabs the son from behind, and his line is a pun on fried eggs. This light-heartedness in a way shows the fact that violence is becoming omnipresent in the play as Macbeth is going insane, in fact numbing the audience to the violence.
$Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\3RY6D46Z\MC900441506[1].png$	SON He has kill'd me, mother: Run away, I pray you!	The son falls into the seat in which he was initially working, reaches out to his mother, and tells her to run away.
	[SON Dies]
	[Exit LADY MACDUFF, crying 'Murder!' Exeunt MURDERERS, following her]	Her son dead, Lady Macduff runs away to be killed offstage.