Macbeth Acte 5, Scène 1

Originale

Paraphrase

Enter a Doctor of Physic and a Waiting-Gentlewoman

Doctor

I have two nights watched with you but can perceive no truth in your report. When was it she last walked?

Gentlewoman

Since his Majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.

Doctor

A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching. In this slumb’ry agitation, besides her walking and other actuel performances, what at any time have you heard her say?

Gentlewoman

That, sir, which I will not report after her.

Doctor

You may to me, and ‘tis most meet you should.

Gentlewoman

Neither to you nor anyone, having no witness to confirm my speech.

(Enter Lady MacBeth with a taper)

Lo you, here she comes. This is her very guise and, upon my life, fast asleep. Observe her, stand close.

Doctor

How came she by that light?

Gentlewoman

Why, it stood by her. She has light by her continually. ‘Tis her command.

Doctor

You see her eyes are open.

Gentlewoman

Ay, but their sense are shut.

Doctor

What is it she does now? Look how she rubs her hands.

Gentlewoman

It is an accustomed action with her to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this a quarter of an hour.

Lady MacBeth

Yet here’s a spot.

Doctor

Hark, she speaks. I will set down what comes from her, to satisfy my remembrance the more strongly.

Lady MacBeth

Out, damned spot, out, I say! One. Two. Why then, ‘tis time to do’t. Hell is murky, Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?

Doctor

Do you mark that?

Lady MacBeth

The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that. You mar all with this starting.

Doctor

 Go to, go to. You have known what you should not.

Gentlewoman

 She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she has known.

Lady MacBeth

Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O!

Doctor

What a sigh is there! The heart is sorely charged.

Gentlewoman

I would not have such a heart in my bosom for the dignity of the whole body.

Doctor

Well, well, well.

Gentlewoman

 Pray God it be, sir.

Doctor 

This disease is beyond my practice. Yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep, who have died holily in their beds.

Lady MacBeth

Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come on’s grave.

Doctor

Even so?

Lady MacBeth

To bed, to bed. There’s knocking at the gate. Come, come, come. Give me your hand. What’s done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.

Lady MacBeth exits.

Doctor

Will she go now to bed?

Gentlewoman

Directly.

Doctor

Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds

Do breed unnatural troubles. Infected minds

To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.

More needs she the divine than the physician.

God, God forgive us all. Look after her.

Remove from her the means of all annoyance

And still keep her eyes upon her. So, good night.

My mind she has mated, and amazed my sight

I think but dare not speak.

Gentlewoman: Good night, good doctor.

They exit.

A Doctor and a Gentlewoman enter

Doctor

I have spent two nights watching with you but haven’t seen any truth in your report. When was the last time she sleep-walked?

Gentlewoman 

Since Macbeth went into battle, I have seen Lady Macbeth rise from her bed, put her nightgown on, unlock her cabinet, take out a paper, fold it, write on it, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed; yet while she does all this she remains asleep.

Doctor

It’s unnatural to sleep and act as if you’re awake. In this state, other than her walking and actions, have you heard her say anything?

Gentlewoman

What you want to hear, sir, I cannot tell you what Lady Macbeth has said in her sleep.

Doctor

You can tell me, you really should.

Gentlewoman

I cannot tell you nor anyone, there is no witness to confirm what I have said.

(Lady MacBeth enters with a candle)

Look, here comes Lady Macbeth. This is her usual behavior while she is asleep. Observe her; stay hidden.

Doctor

How did she end up with that candle?

Gentlewoman

Why, the candle stands by her beside. She has the candle by her all the time. It is her command.

Doctor

You see her eyes are open.

Gentlewoman

Yes, but her eyes are shut. She can't see.

Doctor

What is she doing now? Look at how she is rubbing her hands.

Gentlewoman

Rubbing her hands is an action she does often that resembles the action of washing her hands. I've seen her rub her hands for fifteen minutes.

Lady MacBeth

Here’s a spot!

Doctor

Listen, she’s speaking. I will write down what she says to remember it better.

Lady MacBeth

Wash away damned spot! One. Two. It's time to do it! Hell is murky. Ridiculous my lord! To be a soldier and afraid! Why should we be afraid, when no one can blame us? But who would have thought the old man would have so much blood inside him?

Doctor

Did you hear that?

Lady MacBeth

The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? Will these hands never be clean? No more of that my lord, no more of that. You upset all of this with starting.

Doctor

For shame, for shame. You have heard something you shouldn’t have.

Gentlewoman

She has said things she shouldn't have, I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she knows.

Lady MacBeth

Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O!

Doctor

What a heavy sigh. Her heart is gravely burdened.

Gentlewoman

I would not want a heart like Lady Macbeth’s even if I was crowned as queen.

Doctor

Well, well, well.

Gentlewoman 

I pray to God that what she is saying is well, sir.

Doctor

This disease is beyond my practice, despite having known people who have walked in their sleep and who have died holily in their beds.

Lady MacBeth

Wash your hands. Put on your nightgown. Don't look so pale. I'll tell you again, Banquo is dead, he can't come back from the grave.

Doctor

Is this true?

Lady MacBeth

To bed, to bed. There's knocking at the gate. Come, come, come , come. Give me your hand. What's done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.

Lady MacBeth exits.

Doctor

Will she go to bed now?

Gentlewoman

Right away.

Doctor

Evil rumors are around. Unnatural acts cause supernatural problems. Troubled people will tell their secrets in their sleep. She needs the help of God more than a doctor. God, God, forgive us all. Look after her. Take away from her anything that can harm her and watch her constantly. Good night now. She has stupefied my mind and astounded my sight. I have an opinion but I don’t dare say it.

Gentlewoman

Good night, good doctor.

They Exit