English Literature books summary

English Literature books summary

A gentleman enters and, glad to find Lear, calls for them to put a hand

upon him. Lear is afraid he is being taken prisoner but they are the

attendants of Cordelia and happy to follow Lear as King. Still confused and

mad, Lear runs out so they will not catch him. The gentleman informs Edgar

that the army is approaching speedily, except for Cordelia's men who are on

a special purpose and have moved on. When he leaves, Edgar assures

Gloucester that he will lead him to a biding place. Oswald enters, pleased

to have found Gloucester, and draws his sword upon him. Edgar interposes,

using a rustic accent to play the part of a peasant. They fight and Oswald

falls. Before dying, Oswald pleads with Edgar to take his purse and deliver

his letter to Edmund, "Earl of Gloucester". Edgar reads the letter which is

from Goneril, pleading with Edmund to slay Albany so Goneril can be free

and they can be together. Edgar vows to defend Albany and defeat the

lechers. Gloucester muses that he is self-centered to worry about his

plight when Lear is mad. He wishes though that he too were mad in order to

numb the pain he feels.

scene vii:

Cordelia thanks Kent for the goodness he has shown her father and the

bravery he has espoused. She asks him to discard his disguise but he knows

that he will be able to work better for Lear if he remains disguised. The

Doctor remarks that Lear has slept for a long while so that they may try

waking him. Lear is brought in, still sleeping. Hoping to resolve the

horrors committed by her sisters, Cordelia kisses Lear and reflects on the

vileness and ingratitude of her sisters, treating Lear worse than a dog by

shutting their doors on him in the storm. Lear wakes and Cordelia addresses

him. Lear feels awakened from the grave and wishes they had left him. Very

drowsy at first, Lear thinks Cordelia is a spirit and then realizes he

should know her and Kent (disguised) but has difficulty putting his memory

together. Finally he recognizes Cordelia, to her delight, but thinks he is

in France. The Doctor advises them to give Lear his space so Cordelia takes

him for a walk. The gentleman remains and asks Kent if the rumors of

Cornwall's death and Edgar's position in Germany with the Earl of Kent are

true. Kent confirms the first, but leaves the latter unanswered. The

gentleman warns that the battle to come will be bloody.

Act V Summary: scene i:

Edmund sends an officer to learn of Albany's plans since he has become

so fickle. Regan approaches Edmund, sweetly asking him if he loves her

sister and if he has ever found his way into her bed. He replies that

though he loves in "honored love" he has done nothing adulterous or to

break their vow. Warning him to stay away from Goneril, Regan threatens

that she will not put up with her sister's entreaties to him. Goneril and

Albany enter as Goneril tells the audience that her battle for Edmund is

more important to her than the battle with France. Albany informs Regan of

Cordelia and Lear's reunion. Regan wonders why he brings up the subject of

the King and his grievances. Goneril points out that they must join

together against France and ignore their personal conflicts.

As the two camps separate, Regan pleads with Goneril to accompany her

instead of the other camp where Edmund will be present. Goneril refuses at

first but then sees Regan's purpose and agrees. Edgar finds Albany alone

and asks him to read the letter to Edmund from Goneril he had intercepted.

Though he cannot stay while Albany reads it, he prays him to let the herald

cry when the time is right and he will appear again. Albany leaves to read

it when Edmund reenters to report of the oncoming enemy. In soliloquy,

Edmund wonders what he will do about pledging his love to both sisters. He

could take both of them, one, or neither. He decides to use Albany while in

battle and after winning, to allow Goneril to kill him. Moreover, he plans

to forbid any mercy Albany may show Cordelia and Lear because his rule of

the state is his highest priority.

scene ii:

The army of France, accompanied by Cordelia and Lear, crosses the stage

with their battle colors and drums and exits. Next, Edgar and Gloucester

enter. Edgar offers Gloucester rest under a nearby tree while he goes into

battle. The noises of the battle begin and end, at which time Edgar

reenters the stage to speak with Gloucester. He calls for Gloucester to

come with him as Cordelia and Lear have lost and been taken captive.

Entertaining ideas of suicide again, Gloucester tries to remain but Edgar

talks him into accompanying him, noting that men must endure the ups and

downs of life.

scene iii:

Edmund holds Cordelia and Lear prisoner. Trying to keep Lear's spirits

up, Cordelia tells him that they are not the first innocent people who have

had to endure the worst and she will be happy to endure for the King. She

asks if they will see Goneril and Regan but Lear rejects that notion. He

wants them to spend their days in prison enjoying their company, conversing

and singing and playing and debating the "mystery of things". As they are

taken away at Edmund's command, Lear encourages Cordelia to dry her tears

and enjoy their reunion as they will never again be separated. Edmund

demands the subordinate captain follow Lear and Cordelia to prison and

carry out the punishment detailed by his written instructions. Threatened

with demotion, the captain agrees.

Albany praises Edmund for his work in the battle and in obtaining his

prisoners. He then commands Edmund to turn Cordelia and Lear over into his

protection. Edmund replies that he thought it best to send Lear and

Cordelia into retention so that they did not arouse too much sympathy and

start a riot, but he assures Albany that they will be ready the next day to

appear before him. Albany warns Edmund to remember that he is only a

subordinate to which Regan replies that Edmund is in fact her husband and

thus an equal. Goneril proclaims that he is more honorable on his own merit

than as Regan's partner. Not feeling well, Regan implores Edmund to accept

all of her property and herself. Goneril asks if she means to be intimate

with him to which Albany retorts that the matter does not relate to her.

Edmund disagrees and Regan calls for him to take her title. Albany

interrupts, arresting Edmund for treason and barring any relationship

between Goneril and Edmund. He calls Edmund to duel, throwing down his

glove. Edmund throws down his glove as well and Albany alerts him that all

of his soldiers have been sent away. Feeling very ill, Regan is taken off.

The herald reads aloud Albany's notice, calling for anyone who holds

that Edmund is a traitor to come support that claim. The trumpet is sounded

three times and Edgar, still disguised, appears after the last. Asked why

he has responded, Edgar states that he is a noble adversary who desires to

fight with Edmund, a traitor to "thy gods, thy brother, and thy father".

They fight and Edmund falls. Albany calls for him to be spared while

Goneril supports Edmund for fighting an unknown man when not required,

noting that he cannot be defeated. Albany quiets her with the letter she

wrote desiring Edmund's hand but Goneril retorts that as she is the ruler,

he can bring no punishment upon her. She leaves before he can take command

over her. Dying, Edmund asks his conqueror to reveal himself. Edgar tells

of his identity and their relation, noting that Edmund has rightly fallen

to the bottom as a result of his father's adulterous act, which also cost

Gloucester his sight. Edmund agrees that he has come full circle and Albany

rejoices in Edgar's true identity, sorrowful that he had ever worked

against him or his father. Edgar describes his disguise and how he led his

blinded father, protecting him and sheltering him. He had never revealed

his identity until a half hour before, telling his father the entire story.

Gloucester was so overwhelmed by the news that his heart gave out.

Furthermore, after learning who Edgar was, Kent revealed his identity to

Edgar, embracing him and spilling all of the horrid details of Lear's state

and treatment. Edgar then learned that Kent too was dying but was forced to

rush off as he heard the trumpet call.

A gentleman runs onto the stage with a bloody knife, informing the

company that it was just pulled from Goneril's heart. She had stabbed

herself after admitting that she had poisoned Regan. Edmund notes that as

he had been contracted to both sisters, now all three would die. Albany

calls for the gentleman to produce the bodies and comments on the immediate

judgment of the heavens. Kent enters, hoping to say goodbye to Lear.

Realizing that he has forgotten about the safety of Cordelia and Lear in

the excitement, Albany demands Edmund to tell of their circumstances.

Edmund admits that he had ordered their murders but as he hopes to do some

good, he sends an officer to try to halt Cordelia's hanging. He and Goneril

had commanded it look like a suicide. Lear stumbles in, carrying the body

of Cordelia. Overcome by grief, Lear rages against the senseless killing of

Cordelia, admitting that he killed the guard who was hanging her. Lear

recognizes Kent, though he can hardly see, and Kent informs him that he has

been with him all along, disguised as his servant Caius. It is not clear if

Lear ever understands. Kent tells him that his evil daughters have brought

about their own deaths. A messenger enters to tell them that Edmund has

died. Albany tries to set things right, reinstating Lear's absolute rule

and Kent and Edgar's authority, promising to right all of the good and

punish the evil. Lear continues to mourn the loss of Cordelia and then dies

himself. Albany thus gives Kent and Edgar the rule of the kingdom to which

Kent replies that he must move on to follow his master, leaving Edgar as

the new ruler.

Macbeth

Act 1 Summary Act 1, scene 1

On a heath in Scotland, three witches, the Weird Sisters, wait to meet

Macbeth amid thunder and lightning. Their conversation is filled with

paradoxes; they say that they will meet Macbeth "when the battle's lost and

won," when "fair is foul and foul is fair."

Act 1, scene 2

As the play opens, the Scottish army is at war with the Norwegian army.

Duncan, king of Scotland, meets a soldier returning from battle. The

soldier informs them of Macbeth and Banquo's bravery in battle, and

describes Macbeth's attack on the castle of the traitorous Macdonwald, in

which Macbeth triumphed and planted the severed head of Macdonwald on the

battlements of the castle. The Thanes (lords) of Ross and Angus enter with

the news that the Thane of Cawdor has sided with Norway. Duncan decides to

strip the traitor Thane of his title and give the title of Thane of Cawdor

to Macbeth.

Act 1, scene 3

The Weird Sisters meet on the heath and wait for Macbeth. He arrives with

Banquo, confirming the witches' paradoxical prophecy by stating "So foul

and fair a day I have not seen." The witches hail him as "Thane of Glamis"

(his present title), "Thane of Cawdor" (which title Macbeth does not know

he has been granted yet), and "king hereafter." Their greeting startles and

seems to frighten Macbeth. Banquo questions the witches as to who they are,

and they greet him as "lesser than Macbeth and greater," "not so happy, yet

much happier," and a man who "shall get kings, though [he] be none." When

Macbeth questions them further, the witches vanish like bubbles into the

air. Almost as soon as they disappear, Ross and Angus appear, bearing the

news that the king has granted Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor.

Macbeth and Banquo step aside to discuss this news; Banquo is of the

opinion that the title of Thane of Cawdor might "enkindle" Macbeth to seek

the crown as well. Macbeth questions why good news like this causes his

"seated heart [to] knock at [his] ribs / Against the use of nature," and

his thoughts turn immediately and with terror to murdering the king in

order to fulfill the witches' second prophesy. When Ross and Angus notice

Macbeth's distraught state, Banquo dismisses it as Macbeth's unfamiliarity

with his new title.

Act 1, scene 4

Duncan demands to know if the ex-Thane of Cawdor has been executed, and his

son Malcolm assures him that he has. While Duncan muses about the fact that

he mistakenly placed his "absolute trust" in the traitor Thane, Macbeth

enters. Duncan thanks Macbeth and Banquo for their loyalty and bravery, and

announces his decision to make his son Malcolm the heir to the throne of

Scotland (something he should not have done, since his position was

elected, not inherited). Duncan then states that he plans to visit Macbeth

at his home in Inverness. Macbeth leaves to prepare his home for the royal

visit, pondering the stumbling block that the king has just placed in front

of his ambitions with the announcement of his heir. The king follows with

Banquo.

Act 1, scene 5

At Inverness, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from Macbeth telling of his

meeting with the witches. She fears that his nature is not ruthless enough,

is "too full o' th' milk of human kindness," to murder Duncan and assure

the completion of the witches' prophesy. He has ambition enough, she

claims, but lacks the gumption to act on it. She then implores him to hurry

home so that she can "pour [her] spirits in [his] ear," in other words,

goad him on to the murder he must commit. When a messenger arrives with the

news that Duncan is coming, Lady Macbeth calls on the heavenly powers to

"unsex me here" and fill her with cruelty, taking from her all natural

womanly compassion. When Macbeth arrives, she greets him as Glamis and

Cawdor and urges him to "look like th'innocent flower, / but be the serpent

under ?t," and states that she will make all the preparations for the

king's visit and subsequent murder.

Act 1, scene 6

Duncan arrives at Inverness with Banquo and exchanges pleasantries with

Lady Macbeth. He asks her where Macbeth is, and she offers to bring him to

where Macbeth waits.

Act 1, scene 7

Alone, Macbeth agonizes over whether or not to kill Duncan, stating that he

knows the king's murder is a terrible sin. He struggles not so much with

the horrifying idea of regicide as with the actual fact and process of

murdering a man ­ a relative, no less ­ who trusts and loves him. He would

like the king's murder to be over and done with already. He hates the fact

that he has "only / Vaulting ambition" without the motivation or

ruthlessness to ensure the attainment of his ambitions. Lady Macbeth

enters, and Macbeth tells her that he "will proceed no further in this

business." Taunting him for his fears and ambivalence, she tells him he

will only be a man when he commits this murder. She states that she herself

would go so far as to take her own nursing baby and dash its brains out if

she had to in order to attain her goals. She counsels him to "screw [his]

courage to the sticking place" and details the way they will murder the

king. They will wait until he is asleep, she says, then they will get his

bodyguards drunk. Then they will murder Duncan and lay the blame on the two

drunken bodyguards. Macbeth, astonished at her cruelty, warns her to "bring

forth male children only," since she is too tough and bloodthirsty to bear

girls. He resigns to follow through with her plans.

Act 2 Summary Act 2, scene 1

Banquo, who has also come to Inverness with Duncan and Fleance, wrestles

with the witches' prophesy; unlike Macbeth, he restrains the desire to act

on it that tempts him in his dreams. Macbeth enters and, when Banquo

questions him, pretends to have forgotten the witches' prophesy. When

Banquo and Fleance leave Macbeth alone, Macbeth imagines that he sees a

bloody dagger pointing toward Duncan's chamber. Frightened by this "dagger

of the mind," he prays that the earth will "hear not [his] steps" as he

completes his bloody plan. The bell rings ­ a signal from Lady Macbeth ­

and he exits into Duncan's room.

Act 2, scene 2

Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. Hearing the

hoot of an owl ­ an omen of death ­ she assumes that he has done it, and

waits fitfully for him to appear. She hears a noise within and worries that

the bodyguards have awakened before Macbeth had a chance to plant the

evidence on them. Macbeth enters, still carrying the bloody daggers with

which he killed Duncan. He is shaken because as he entered Duncan's chamber

he heard the bodyguards praying and could not say "Amen" when they finished

their prayers. He takes this as a bad sign. Lady Macbeth counsels him not

to think "after these ways; so, it will make us mad." Unheeding, Macbeth

goes on to tell her that he also thought he heard a voice that said, "sleep

no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep . . . . Glamis [Macbeth] hath murdered

sleep, and therefore Cawdor [also Macbeth] / Shall sleep no more." Lady

Macbeth warns him not to think of such "brainsickly things" but to wash the

blood from his hand. Seeing the daggers he carries, she chastises him for

bringing them in and tells him to plant them on the bodyguards according to

the plan. When Macbeth, still horrified by the crime he has just committed,

will not do it, Lady Macbeth herself takes the daggers and brings them into

the guards' chamber.

While she is gone, Macbeth hears a knocking and imagines that he sees hands

plucking at his eyes. He mourns the fact that not even an entire ocean

could wash the blood from his hand. Lady Macbeth enters here and, hearing

this, states that her hands are just as stained as his, but she is not a

coward like him. She claims that "a little water clears us of this deed" ­

that washing the blood from their hands will wash the guilt from them as

well. She, too, hears knocking, and tells Macbeth to retire with her to

their chamber and put on their nightgowns; they cannot be out in the hall

and in their clothes when the others enter.

Act 2, scene 3

In a "comic relief" scene, the Porter (doorman) hears knocking at the gate

and imagines that he is the porter at the door to Hell. He imagines

admitting a farmer who has committed suicide after a bad harvest, an

"equivocator" who has committed a sin by swearing to half-truths, and an

English tailor who stole cloth to make fashionable clothes and visited

brothels. Since it is "too cold for hell" at the gate, he stops there

instead of continuing with a longer catalogue of sinners and opens the

door. Outside are Macduff and Lennox, who scold him for taking so long to

answer the door. The Porter claims that he was tired after drinking until

late, and delivers a small sermon on the ills of drink.

Macbeth enters, and Macduff asks him if the king is awake yet. On hearing

that the king is still asleep, Macduff leaves to wake him. While he is

gone, Lennox tells Macbeth that the night was full of strange events in the

weather ­ chimneys were blown down, birds screeched all night, the earth

shook, and ghostly voices were heard prophesying bad fortune. A stunned

Macduff returns with the news that the king is dead. He tells them to go

see for themselves and calls to the servants to ring the alarm bell and

wake the other guests.

Lady Macbeth and Banquo enter and Macduff informs them of the king's death.

Macbeth and Lennox return and Macbeth laments the king's death, claiming

that he witches he was dead instead of the king. Malcolm and Donalbain

appear and ask who murdered their father. Lennox tells them that the

bodyguards must have done it because they still had the king's blood on

their faces and hands and the daggers on their pillows. Macbeth tells them

that he has already killed the bodyguards in a grief-stricken rage. When

Malcolm and Donalbain question this act, Lady Macbeth pretends to faint in

order to distract them. Aside, Malcolm and Donalbain confer and decide that

their lives are threatened and they should flee. As Lady Macbeth is being

helped to leave, Banquo counsels the others to get together to analyze what

just happened and figure out what to do next. Leaving Malcolm and Donalbain

alone, they leave to meet in the hall. Malcolm decides that he will flee to

England, and Donalbain says that he will go to Ireland.

Act 2, scene 4

Ross and an old man discuss the unnatural events that have taken place

recently: days are as dark as nights, owls hunt falcons, and Duncan's

horses have gone mad and eaten each other. Macduff enters, and Ross asks

him who killed the king. Macduff tells him that the bodyguards did it, but

that Malcolm and Donalbain's hasty flight from Inverness has cast suspicion

on them as well. Ross comments that Macbeth will surely be named the next

king, and Macduff says that he has already been named and has gone to Scone

to be crowned. Ross leaves for Scone to see the coronation, and Macduff

heads home to Fife.

Act 3 Summary Act 3, scene 1

At Macbeth's court, Banquo voices his suspicions that Macbeth has killed

Duncan in order to fulfill the witches' prophesies. He muses that perhaps

this means that the witches' vision for his future will come true as well,

then pushes this thought from his mind. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter to

the sound trumpets, along with Lennox and Ross. Macbeth announces that he

will hold a banquet that evening, and that Banquo will be the chief guest.

Banquo states that he must ride this afternoon, but he will be back in time

for supper. Macbeth tells him that Malcolm and Donalbain will not confess

to killing their father, and asks if Fleance will accompany Banquo on his

trip (he will), then wishes Banquo a safe ride.

Left alone, Macbeth summons the two murderers he has hired. While he waits

for them, he gives voice to his greatest worry of the moment ­ that the

witches' prophesy for Banquo will come true, and that Banquo's children

will inherit the throne instead of his own. He will put an end to that

thought by killing Banquo and Fleance. The murderers enter. These men are

not "murderers" by trade but poor men who are willing to do anything to

make some money. Macbeth has evidently sent them letters stating that

although they think Macbeth is the cause of their present poverty, the real

cause is Banquo, and that he will reward them richly if they would kill

Banquo for him. The Murderers respond that they are so "weary with

disasters [and] tugged with fortune" that they are "reckless what / [they]

do to spite the world." Macbeth tells them that Banquo is his own enemy as

well as theirs, but that loyal friends of Banquo's prevent him from killing

him himself. Macbeth tells them the particulars of the murder: they must

attack him as he is coming back from his ride, at a distance from the

palace in order to avert suspicion. They must also kill Fleance, and

perform these murders at exactly the right time.

Act 3, scene 2

Alone, Lady Macbeth expresses her unhappiness: there seems to be no end to

her desire for power, and she feels unsafe and doubtful. Macbeth enters,

looking upset, and she again counsels him not to spend his time alone

worrying about what they have done. Macbeth states that their job is not

done, and that he spends every waking moment in fear and each night

embroiled in nightmares. He says that he envies Duncan, who sleeps

peacefully in his grave. Lady Macbeth warns him to act cheerful in front of

their dinner guests, and Macbeth says that he will, and asks her to pay

special attention to Banquo tonight, both in speech and looks. Lady Macbeth

tries to comfort him by reminding him that although Banquo and Fleance

live, they are not immortal, and he should not fear them. Macbeth responds

elusively, telling her that "a deed of dreadful note" will be done tonight;

he will not tell her more.

Act 3, scene 3

The two murderers are joined by a third, who says that he has also been

hired by Macbeth. Horses are heard approaching, and Banquo and Fleance

enter. The murderers attack Banquo, but Fleance flees. The murderers leave

to report back to Macbeth.

Act 3, scene 4

At the banquet, Macbeth is just welcoming his guests when one of the

murderers comes to the door. He informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but

Fleance has escaped. Shaken, Macbeth thanks him for what he has done and

arranges another meeting the next day. The murderer leaves and Macbeth

returns to the feast. Standing next to the table, he announces that the

banquet would be perfect if only Banquo were there. At this point, unseen

by any, Banquo's ghost appears and sits in Macbeth's seat. The guests urge

Macbeth to sit and eat with them, but Macbeth says that the table is full.

When Lennox points to Macbeth's empty seat, Macbeth is shocked to see

Banquo sitting there. He addresses the ghost, saying, "Thou canst not say I

did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me." The guests, confused by his

behavior, think that he is ill, but Lady Macbeth reassures them, saying

that he has had "fits" like this since youth, and that he will soon be

well. She draws Macbeth aside and tries to talk some sense into him,

telling him that this is just a hallucination brought on by his guilt, like

the dagger he saw before he killed Duncan. Ignoring her, Macbeth charges

the ghost to speak, and it disappears. Disgusted, Lady Macbeth scolds him

for being "unmanned in folly." Turning back to his guests, Macbeth tells

them that he has "a strange infirmity" that they should ignore.

Just as the party begins again and Macbeth is offering a toast to Banquo,

the ghost reappears, and Macbeth again yells at it. Lady Macbeth again

tries to smooth things over with the guests. The ghost exits again and Lady

Macbeth scolds Macbeth him. This time Macbeth responds in kind, telling her

that he is shocked that she can look on sights such as this and not be

afraid. Ross asks what sights Macbeth means, and Lady Macbeth tells the

guests that they should leave, because Macbeth's "illness" is getting

worse.

The guests leave, and Macbeth, frightened, says that he takes this

appearance as an omen. He decides that he will go back to the Weird Sisters

the next day and ask to hear more.

Act 3, scene 5

On the heath, the witches meet Hecate, queen of witches, who chastises them

for meddling in Macbeth's affairs without involving her or showing him any

fancy magic spectacles. She tells them that Macbeth will visit them

tomorrow, and that they must put on a more dramatic show for him.

Act 3, scene 6

Lennox and another lord discuss politics. Lennox comments sarcastically on

the recent deaths of Duncan and Banquo, saying that it seems almost

impossible for Malcolm and Donalbain to be inhuman enough to kill their

father, and that Macbeth's slaying of the bodyguards was pretty convenient,

since they would probably have denied killing Duncan. Lennox proposes that

if Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance were in Macbeth's prison, they would

probably be dead now too. He also reveals that since Macduff did not attend

Macbeth's feast, he has been denounced. The lord with whom Lennox speaks

comments that Macduff has joined Malcolm at the English court, and that the

two of them have asked Siward to lead an army against Macbeth. Lennox and

the lord send their prayers to Macduff and Malcolm.

Act 4 Summary Act 4, scene 1

The witches circle their cauldron, throwing into it the elements of their

magic spell while chanting "double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn,

and cauldron bubble." Hecate appears, and they all sing together, then

Hecate leaves again. Macbeth enters, demanding answers. The witches

complete their magic spell and summon forth a series of apparitions. The

first is an Armed Head (a head wearing a helmet), that warns Macbeth to

beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff). The second apparition is a bloody

child, who tells him that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth."

Hearing this, Macbeth is bolstered, and states that he no longer needs to

fear Macduff then. The third apparition is a child wearing a crown, with a

tree in its hand, who says that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until /

Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill [Macbeth's castle] / Shall come

against him." This cheers Macbeth even more, since he knows that nothing

can move a forest. Macbeth now asks his last question: will Banquo's

children ever rule Scotland?

The cauldron sinks, and a strange sound is heard. The witches now show

Macbeth the "show of kings": a procession of eight kings, the eighth of

whom holds a mirror in his hand, followed by Banquo. As Banquo points at

this line of kings, Macbeth realizes that they are indeed his family line,

and that the witches' words were true. The witches dance and disappear, and

Lennox enters, with the news that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth

resolves that from now on he will act immediately on his ambitions, and the

first step he will take will be to seize Fife and kill Macduff's wife and

children.

Act 4, scene 2

At Fife, Ross visits Lady Macduff, who is frightened for her own safety now

that her husband has fled. He reassures her by telling her that her husband

did what he had to do, and takes his leave, telling her that he will return

soon. After he leaves, Lady Macduff engages her son in a conversation about

his missing father. The little boy shows wisdom beyond his years in his

side of the discussion. A messenger interrupts them with a warning to flee

the house immediately. But before Lady Macduff can go anywhere, Macbeth's

hired murderers attack the house and kill everyone in it.

Act 4, scene 3

Macduff has arrived at the English court and meets with Malcolm. Malcolm,

remembering his father's mistaken trust in Macbeth, tests Macduff by

confessing that he is a greedy, lustful and sinful man, who makes Macbeth

look like an angel in comparison. Macduff despairs and says that he will

leave Scotland forever if this is the case, since there seems to be no man

fit to rule it. Hearing this, Malcolm is convinced of Macduff's goodness

and reveals that he was merely testing him; he has none of these faults to

which he has just confessed. In fact, he claims, the first lie he has ever

told was this false confession to Macduff. He then announces that Siward

has assembled an army of ten thousand men and is prepared to march on

Scotland.

A messenger appears and tells the men that the king of England is

approaching, attended by a crowd of sick and despairing people who wish the

king to cure them. The king, according to Malcolm, has a gift for healing

people with the laying on of hands.

Ross enters, just come from Scotland, and reports that the country is in a

shambles. When Macduff asks how his wife is, Ross replies "Ay, well,"

meaning that they are now beyond Macbeth's grasp. Pressed further, he

relates the story of her death. Macduff is stunned speechless, and Malcolm

urges him to cure his grief by acting, and getting revenge on Macbeth.

Macduff replies "he has no children," meaning perhaps that Malcolm does not

know what it feels like to lose a child, or that Macbeth could never have

killed another man's children if he had children of his own. He is overcome

with guilt that he was gone from his house when it happened. Again Malcolm

urges him to put his grief to good use and seek revenge, and all three men

leave to prepare for battle.

Act 5 Summary Act 5, scene 1

Back at Dunsinane, the Scottish royal home, a gentlewoman who waits on Lady

Macbeth has summoned a doctor because Lady Macbeth has been walking in her

sleep. The doctor reports that he has watched her for two nights already

and has not seen anything strange. The gentlewoman describes how she has

seen Lady Macbeth rise, dress, leave her room, write something on a piece

of paper, read it and seal it, and return to bed, all without waking up.

When the doctor asks if the Lady said anything while sleepwalking, the

gentlewoman says that what the Lady said she does not dare to repeat. They

are interrupted by the sleepwalking Lady Macbeth, who enters carrying a

candle. The gentlewoman reports that Lady Macbeth asks to have light by her

all through the night. The doctor and the gentlewoman watch as Lady Macbeth

rubs her hands as if washing them and says " yet here's a spot . . . . Out,

damned spot, out I say!" As she continues to "wash" her hands, her words

betray her guilt to the watchers. She seems to be reliving the events of

the nights of Duncan and Banquo's deaths. She cannot get the stain or smell

of blood off her hand: "will these hands ne'er be clean? . . . . All the

perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." The doctor is

shocked and understands that Lady Macbeth's words have heavy implications.

The sleepwalking lady imagines she hears knocking at the gate and returns

to her chamber. The doctor concludes that Lady Macbeth needs a priest's

help, not a physician's, and takes his leave, warning that he and the

gentlewoman had better not reveal what they have seen and heard.

Act 5, scene 2

Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox march with a company of soldiers

toward Birnam Wood, where they will meet up with Malcolm and the English

army. They claim that they will "purge" the country of Macbeth's sickening

influence.

Act 5, scene 3

At Dunsinane, Macbeth tires of hearing reports of nobles who have fled from

him to join the English forces. He recalls the witches' prophesy that he

has nothing to fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane or until he meets

up with a man not born of woman, and since these events seem impossible, he

feels unstoppable. A servant enters with the news that then thousand men

have gathered to fight against them, and Macbeth sends him away, scolding

him for cowardice. He calls for his servant Seyton to help him put on his

armor, and asks the doctor who has been treating Lady Macbeth how she is.

The doctor replies that she is not sick but troubled with visions, and that

she must cure herself of these visions (presumably by confessing the crimes

she has committed). Macbeth is not pleased with this answer. As his

attendants begin to arm him, he facetiously asks the doctor if it he could

test the country's urine to find out what disease ails it, and give it a

purgative medicine to cure it. Fully armed, Macbeth begins to leave the

room. As he goes, he professes that he will not be afraid of anything until

Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Aside, the doctor confesses that he would

like to be as far away from Dunsinane as possible.

Act 5, scene 4

Malcolm, Siward, Young Siward, Macduff, Mentieth, Caithness, and Angus

march toward Birnam Wood. When they approach the forest, Malcolm instructs

each soldier to cut a branch from the trees and carry it in front of him as

the group marches on Dunsinane, in order to disguise their numbers. Siward

informs Malcolm that Macbeth confidently holds Dunsinane, waiting for their

approach. Malcolm comments that Macbeth must be incredibly optimistic,

since almost all of his men have deserted him. The army marches on toward

Dunsinane.

Act 5, scene 5

Macbeth confidently orders his men to hang his banners on the outer walls

of the castle, claiming that his castle will hold until the men who attack

it starve of famine. If only the other side was not reinforced with men who

have deserted him, he claims, he would not think twice about rushing out to

attack the English army head-on. He is interrupted by the sound of women

screaming within, and Seyton leaves to see what the trouble is. Macbeth

comments that he had almost forgotten what fear felt and tasted like.

Seyton returns and announces that Lady Macbeth is dead. Seemingly unfazed,

Macbeth comments that she should have died later. He stops to muse on the

meaning of life, which he says is "but a walking shadow, a poor player /

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more.

It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying

nothing."

A messenger enters and reports that he has seen something unbelievable: as

he looked out toward Birnam Wood, it looked like the forest began to move

toward the castle. Macbeth is stunned and begins to fear that the witch's

words may come true after all. He instructs his men to ring the alarm.

Act 5, scene 6

Malcolm tells his soldiers that they are near enough to the castle now to

throw down the branches they carry. He announces that Siward and Young

Siward will lead the first battle, and that he and Macduff will follow

behind. He tells his trumpeters to sound a charge.

Act 5, scene 7

Macbeth waits on the battlefield to defend his castle. He feels like a bear

that has been "baited": tied to a stake for dogs to attack. Young Siward

enters and demands his name. Macbeth responds that he will be afraid to

hear it: it is Macbeth. The two fight, and Macbeth kills Young Siward,

commenting, as he does, that Young Siward must have been born "of woman."

He exits. Macduff enters and shouts a challenge to Macbeth, swearing to

avenge his wife and children's deaths. He asks Fortune to let him find

Macbeth, and exits. Malcolm and Siward enter, looking for the enemy, and

exit.

Act 5, scene 8

Macbeth enters, contemplating whether or not he should kill himself, and

resolving that he is too brave to do so. Macduff finds him and challenges

him. Macbeth replies that he has avoided Macduff until his point, but now

he will fight. Macduff unsheathes his sword, saying that his sword will

speak for him. The men fight. As they fight, Macbeth tells him that he

leads a charmed life; he will only fall to a man who is not born of woman.

Macduff replies that the time has come for Macbeth to despair: "let the

angel whom thou still hast served / Tell thee Macduff was from his mother's

womb / Untimely ripped" (Macduff was born through the medieval equivalent

of a caesarian section)! Hearing this, Macbeth quails and says that he will

not fight. Macduff replies by commanding him to yield, and allow himself to

be the laughing stock of Scotland under Malcolm's rule. This enrages

Macbeth, who swears he will never yield to swear allegiance to Malcolm.

They fight on, and exit fighting.

Malcolm, Siward, and the other Thanes enter. They have won the battle, but

Malcolm states that Macduff and Young Siward are missing. Ross reports that

Young Siward is dead, and eulogizes him by stating that "he only lived but

till he was a man, / The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed / In the

unshrinking station where he fought, / But like a man he died." Siward asks

if his son's wounds were in his front (in other words, did he fight until

the end, instead of running away), and when he learns that they were, he

declares that he will mourn no more for him then, because he died a hero's

death, and Siward could not wish for a better death for any of his sons.

Macduff enters, carrying Macbeth's severed head, and shouts "Hail, King of

Scotland!" All the men return this shout and the trumpets flourish as

Malcolm accepts the throne. He then announces that he will make the thanes

earls now ­ up until then they had only been called thanes. He will call

back all the men whom Macbeth has exiled, and will attempt to heal the

scars Macbeth has made in the country. All exit, headed toward Scone to

crown Malcolm King of Scotland.

The Merchant of Venice

Act I, Scene One

Antonio, a merchant, is in a melancholic state of mind and unable to find a

reason for his depression. His friends Salerio and Solanio attempt to cheer

him up by telling him that he is only worried about his ships returning

safely to port. Antonio, however, denies that he is worried about his ships

and remains depressed. His two friends leave after Bassanio, Graziano and

Lorenzo arrive. Graziano and Lorenzo remark that Antonio does not look well

before exiting, leaving Bassanio alone with Antonio.

Bassanio informs Antonio that he has been prodigal with his money and that

he currently has accumulated substantial debts. Bassanio reveals that he

has come up with a plan to pay off his obligations by marrying Portia, a

wealthy heiress in Belmont. However, in order to woo Portia, Bassanio needs

to borrow enough money so that he can act like a true nobleman. Antonio

tells him that all his money is invested in ships at sea, but offers to

borrow money for him.

Act I, Scene Two

Portia, the wealthy heiress, discusses her many suitors with her noblewoman

Nerissa. She points out the faults that each of them has, often

stereotyping each suitor according to the country from which he has

arrived. Nerissa, a gentlewoman who works for Portia, asks her if she

remembers a soldier who stayed at Belmont several years before. Portia

recalls the man, and says, "Yes, yes, it was Bassanio" (1.2.97). Portia's

servingman then arrives with news that four of her suitors are leaving, but

another, the Prince of Morocco, has arrived.

Act I, Scene Three

Bassanio in engaged in conversation with Shylock, a Jew who makes his

living as a moneylender. Bassanio has asked him for a loan of three

thousand ducats, a very large sum at the time, for a period of three

months. He further tells Shylock that Antonio is to "be bound," meaning

that Antonio will be responsible for repaying the loan.

Shylock knows Antonio's reputation well, and agrees to consider the

contract. He asks Bassanio if he may speak with Antonio first, and Bassanio

invites Shylock to dinner. Shylock responds that he will never eat with a

Christian.

Antonio arrives at that moment and Bassanio takes him aside. Shylock

addresses the audience and informs them that he despises Antonio. He bears

an old grudge against Antonio which is not explained, but Shylock is

further upset that Antonio lends out money without charging interest,

thereby lowering the amount he is able to charge for lending out his own

money. Shylock turns to Antonio and tells him why interest is allowed in

the Hebrew faith by quoting a biblical passage in which Jacob receives all

the striped lambs from his father-in-law. Antonio asks him if the passage

was inserted into the bible to defend interest charges. He states, "Was

this inserted to make interest good, / Or is your gold and silver ewes and

rams?" (1.3.90-91). Shylock replies that, "I cannot tell. I make it breed

as fast" (1.3.92).

Antonio is upset that Shylock is considering charging him interest on the

loan, and asks Shylock to loan the money without any interest. Shylock

tells him that, "I would be friends with you, and have your love"

(1.3.133). He offers to seal the bond, "in a merry sport" (1.3.141) without

charging interest, but as collateral for the loan demands a pound of

Antonio's flesh. Antonio thinks Shylock is only joking about the pound of

flesh, and is happy to seal the contract. He remarks that, "The Hebrew will

turn Christian; he grows kind" (1.3.174).

Act II, Scene One

The Prince of Morocco meets with Portia and tells her that he is often

considered very handsome on account of his black skin. She tells him that

unfortunately she does not have the right to choose the man who will marry

her. Instead, her father created three caskets from among which each suitor

must choose. Portia warns the Prince that if he chooses the wrong casket,

he must swear to never propose marriage to a woman afterwards. The Prince

of Morocco agrees to this condition and joins Portia for dinner before

attempting to choose.

Act II, Scene Two

Lancelot, referred to as a clown, is the servant to Shylock. He tells the

audience that he is thinking about running away from his master, whom he

describes as a devil. However, he cannot make up his mind about whether to

run away or not because his conscience makes him guilty when he thinks

about leaving Shylock.

Lancelot's father, and old man named Gobbo, arrives with a basket. He is

nearly completely blind and cannot see Lancelot clearly. Gobbo asks his son

which way leads to the Jew's house, meaning Shylock's house. He mentions

that he is searching for his son Lancelot. Lancelot decides to have some

fun with his father, and so he pretends to know a "Master Lancelot" (a term

for a gentleman's son, not a servant). He informs Gobbo that "Master

Lancelot" is deceased.

Gobbo is clearly upset by this, and Lancelot kneels down in front of him

and asks his father for his blessing. Gobbo at first does not believe that

Lancelot is really his son, but then he feels his head and recognizes him.

Lancelot tells his father that he is wasting away serving Shylock and that

he will turn into a Jew himself if he stays there much longer. Gobbo has

brought a present for Shylock, but Lancelot instead convinces his father to

give it to Bassanio, whom Lancelot hopes to have as his new master.

Bassanio, coming onto stage at that moment, accepts the gift of doves and

tells Lancelot that he may leave Shylock and join his service. He then

orders one of the men to get Lancelot a new uniform to wear, and sends

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