Macbeth in modern English, scene by scene

About this translation

Every scene of Macbeth is set out twice: William Shakespeare’s words on one side, and on the other a plain modern English rendering of the same lines, in the same order. It is a way to read the original, not a replacement for it — the rendering says what the text says, and the text is the thing you quote.

Line numbers count the verse lines of each scene in the public-domain Project Gutenberg edition these pages are set from, so they may not match the numbering in a printed edition.

1. Act 1, Scene 1 — An open Place.When shall the three of us meet again? In thunder, in lightning, or in rain?
2. Act 1, Scene 2 — A Camp near Forres.Who is that blood-covered man? By the look of his condition, he can tell us the latest…
3. Act 1, Scene 3 — A heath.Where have you been, sister?
4. Act 1, Scene 4 — Forres. A Room in the Palace.Has Cawdor been executed? Haven't the men sent to do it come back yet?
5. Act 1, Scene 5 — Inverness. A Room in Macbeth’s Castle."They met me on the day of my victory; and I have learned from the most reliable evidence…
6. Act 1, Scene 6 — The same. Before the Castle.This castle is pleasantly situated. The air moves lightly and sweetly, offering itself to…
7. Act 1, Scene 7 — The same. A Lobby in the Castle.If it were finished once it is done, then it would be good to do it quickly. If the…

1. Act 2, Scene 1 — Inverness. Court within the Castle.How far along is the night, boy?
2. Act 2, Scene 2 — The same.What made them drunk has made me bold; what put them out has set me on…
3. Act 2, Scene 3 — The same.That's some knocking! If a man were the gatekeeper of hell, he'd be turning the key…
4. Act 2, Scene 4 — The same. Without the Castle.I can remember seventy years clearly, and in all that stretch of time I have seen…

1. Act 3, Scene 1 — Forres. A Room in the Palace.You have it all now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, everything the Weird Women promised — and I…
2. Act 3, Scene 2 — The same. Another Room in the Palace.Has Banquo left the court?
3. Act 3, Scene 3 — The same. A Park or Lawn, with a gate leading to the Palace.But who told you to join us?
4. Act 3, Scene 4 — The same. A Room of state in the Palace.You know your own ranks, so sit down. From the first to the last, a warm welcome to you…
5. Act 3, Scene 5 — The heath.What's the matter, Hecate? You look angry.
6. Act 3, Scene 6 — Forres. A Room in the Palace.What I've said before has only matched what you were already thinking, and you can take…

1. Act 4, Scene 1 — A dark Cave. In the middle, a Cauldron Boiling.The streaked cat has mewed three times.
2. Act 4, Scene 2 — Fife. A Room in Macduff’s Castle.What had he done, to make him flee the country?
3. Act 4, Scene 3 — England. Before the King’s Palace.Let's find some deserted shady place and there weep our sorrowful hearts empty.

1. Act 5, Scene 1 — Dunsinane. A Room in the Castle.I have kept watch with you for two nights, but I can see no truth in what you report…
2. Act 5, Scene 2 — The Country near Dunsinane.The English army is close, led by Malcolm, his uncle Siward, and the good Macduff…
3. Act 5, Scene 3 — Dunsinane. A Room in the Castle.Bring me no more reports; let them all desert. Until Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane I…
4. Act 5, Scene 4 — Country near Dunsinane: a Wood in view.Kinsmen, I hope the days are close when people will be safe in their own bedrooms.
5. Act 5, Scene 5 — Dunsinane. Within the castle.Hang our banners out on the outer walls. The shout is always, "They're coming!" Our…
6. Act 5, Scene 6 — The same. A Plain before the Castle.We're close enough now. Throw down your leafy screens and show yourselves as what you…
7. Act 5, Scene 7 — The same. Another part of the Plain.They have tied me to a stake. I cannot run away, but like a bear I have to fight to the…
8. Act 5, Scene 8 — The same. Another part of the field.Why should I act the Roman fool and die on my own sword? As long as I see living men, the…