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Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1

Lady Macbeth sleepwalks · William Shakespeare
Every note, for your class

Previously, in Act 4, Scene 3

Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by pretending to possess vices that would make him a worse ruler than Macbeth. Macduff's despair for Scotland convinces Malcolm of his honesty, so Malcolm retracts his claims and accepts him as an ally. Ross reports the slaughter of Macduff's family, and Macduff vows to confront Macbeth.

SCENE I. Dunsinane. A Room in the Castle.

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 slumbery agitation, besides her walking and other actual 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.
GENTLEWOMAN
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 had 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 the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!
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 out on’s grave.
DOCTOR
Even so?
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.
Exit.
DOCTOR
Will she go now to bed?
GENTLEWOMAN
Directly.
DOCTOR
Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deedsDo breed unnatural troubles: infected mindsTo 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 eyes upon her. So, good night:My mind she has mated, and amaz’d my sight.I think, but dare not speak.
GENTLEWOMAN
Good night, good doctor.
Exeunta stage direction indicating that two or more characters leave the stage..