Act 5
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Modern Text |
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Enter MACBETH
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MACBETH enters.
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MACBETH Why should I play the Roman fool and die
On mine own sword? Whiles I see lives, the gashes
Do better upon them.
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MACBETH Why should I commit suicide like one of the ancient Romans? As
long as I see enemies of mine alive, I would rather see my sword
wound them than me.
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Enter MACDUFF
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MACDUFF enters.
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MACDUFF Turn,
hellhound, turn!
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MACDUFF Turn around, you dog from hell, turn around!
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MACBETH Of all men else I have avoided thee.
5But get thee back. My soul is too much charged
With blood of thine already.
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MACBETH You are the only man I have avoided. But go away now. I’m
already guilty of killing your whole family.
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MACDUFF I
have no words.
My voice is in my sword. Thou bloodier villain
Than terms can give thee out!
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MACDUFF I have nothing to say to you. My sword will talk for me. You are
too evil for words!
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They fight
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They fight.
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MACBETH Thou
losest labor.
As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air
10With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed.
Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests;
I bear a charmèd life, which must not yield
To one of woman born.
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MACBETH You’re wasting your time trying to wound me. You might as
well try to stab the air with your sword. Go fight someone who can
be harmed. I lead a charmed life, which can’t be ended by
anyone born from a woman.
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MACDUFF Despair
thy charm,
And let the angel whom thou still hast served
15Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb
Untimely ripped.
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MACDUFF You can forget about your charm. The evil spirit you serve can
tell you that I was not born. They cut me out of my
mother’s womb before she could bear me naturally.
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More Help
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Character List
CHARACTERS -
Macbeth: Character Analysis
CHARACTERS -
Plot Analysis
MAIN IDEAS -
Is Lady Macbeth a Villain or a Victim?
MAIN IDEAS -
Quotes by Theme
QUOTES -
Themes
MAIN IDEAS -
Review Quiz
FURTHER STUDY
