Macbeth

by: William Shakespeare

Act 5 Scene 8

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Original Text	Modern Text
Enter MACBETH	MACBETH enters.
MACBETH Why should I play the Roman fool and die On mine own sword? Whiles I see lives, the gashes Do better upon them.	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.
Enter MACDUFF	MACDUFF enters.
MACDUFF Turn, hellhound, turn!	MACDUFF Turn around, you dog from hell, turn around!
MACBETH Of all men else I have avoided thee. 5But get thee back. My soul is too much charged With blood of thine already.	MACBETH You are the only man I have avoided. But go away now. I’m already guilty of killing your whole family.
MACDUFF I have no words. My voice is in my sword. Thou bloodier villain Than terms can give thee out!	MACDUFF I have nothing to say to you. My sword will talk for me. You are too evil for words!
They fight	They fight.
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.	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.
MACDUFF Despair thy charm, And let the angel whom thou still hast served 15Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb Untimely ripped.	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.

Read the Summary of Act 5, scenes 1–11

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