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MALCOLM It is myself I mean, in whom I know
All the particulars of vice so grafted
That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth
Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state
55Esteem him as a lamb, being compared
With my confineless harms.
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MALCOLM I’m talking about myself. I know I have so many vices
that when people see all of them exposed, evil Macbeth will seem as
pure as snow in comparison, and poor Scotland will call him a sweet
lamb when they compare him to me and my infinite evils.
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MACDUFF Not
in the legions
Of horrid hell can come a devil more damned
In evils to top Macbeth.
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MACDUFF Even in hell you couldn’t find a devil worse than
Macbeth.
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MALCOLM I
grant him bloody,
Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,
60Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name. But there’s no bottom, none,
In my voluptuousness. Your wives, your daughters,
Your matrons, and your maids could not fill up
The cistern of my lust, and my desire
65All continent impediments would o'erbear
That did oppose my will. Better Macbeth
Than such an one to reign.
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MALCOLM I admit that he’s murderous, lecherous, greedy, lying,
deceitful, violent, malicious, and guilty of every sin that has a
name. But there is no end, absolutely none, to my sexual desires.
Your wives, your daughters, your old women, and your young maids
together could not satisfy my lust. My desire would overpower all
restraints and anyone who stood in my way. It would be better for
Macbeth to rule than someone like me.
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MACDUFF Boundless
intemperance
In nature is a tyranny. It hath been
The untimely emptying of the happy throne
70And fall of many kings. But fear not yet
To take upon you what is yours. You may
Convey your pleasures in a spacious plenty
And yet seem cold; the time you may so hoodwink.
We have willing dames enough. There cannot be
75That vulture in you to devour so many
As will to greatness dedicate themselves,
Finding it so inclined.
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MACDUFF Endless greed and lust in a man’s nature is a kind of
tyranny. It has caused the downfall of many kings. But
don’t be afraid to take the crown that belongs to you. You
can find a way to satisfy your desires in secret, while still
appearing virtuous. You can deceive everyone. There are more than
enough willing women around. Your lust can’t possibly be so
strong that you’d use up all the women willing to give
themselves to the king once they find out he wants them.
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