【Macbeth】Synopsis, Character Map

Witches
“What are you doing? Tell me.”
“I cut the throat of a wild boar.”
“The sailor’s wife sent me away, so I’m going to sink the ship.”

(drums beating)
Macbeth is coming. Wandering sisters. We wander in the sky and we wander in the sea. We are a circle. We go to the land and the sea.

Che faceste?

I have never seen a more proud and beautiful day.

Giorno non vidi mai si fiero e bello!

No day has been more glorious.

Who are you?

Witches
“Long live Macbeth, Lord of Glamis.”
“Long live Macbeth, Lord of Cawdor.”
“Long live Macbeth, King of Scots.”

Salve, o Macbetto

(whispering to Macbeth) Are you trembling with joy?
(To the witches) Tell me the future, too.

Witches
“You’ll be even greater than Macbeth.”
“Not as great as Macbeth, but happier than him.”
“You will not be a king, but the parent of a king.”

Your son will be a king.

You will be king before my son.

Messenger
Lord Macbeth. The King has chosen you to be Lord of Cawdor.

But the lords would still be supporting the king.

Messenger
No, he died on the executioner’s table by law.

Hell has told us the truth!

(In a fearful whisper) Two prophecies have already come true. The third promised me the throne. But why does my hair stand on end? Where does the idea of blood come from? I will not force my hand on the crown that fate has given me.

Due vaticini compiuti or sono

Macbeth is proud of his hopes for the throne. But the wicked spirits of hell are deceitful, telling the truth. And curses us and abandons us to the depths.

Witches
They are gone. We shall have a witches’ feast and wait for the fulfillment of our destiny. After a while, Macbeth will laugh. And we will tell him the prophecy again.

(Letter from Macbeth) On the day of my victory, I met the witches and listened to them. When I received the King’s messenger, I became Lord of Cawdor, and the prophecy came true. The same prophet foretold that I would wear the crown. Keep this secret close to your heart.

You are an ambitious soul, yearning for greatness. But can you be wicked?

Hurry up! I will give you the courage to carry out your daring plans. The prophet has promised you the throne of Scotland. Accept the gift and you will be on the throne.

Nel dì della vittoria… Vieni t’affretta!

Servant
King Duncan will be here tonight. Lord Macbeth is accompanying him.

Make ready to receive your king.

…that King Duncan would come here! At night!

Rise, a messenger of hell. Stain his crown with blood. Hide the dagger that pierces your breast from sight in the impenetrable darkness.

Ministri infernali

My wife, you will soon meet the King.

When will the King leave here?

Tomorrow.

The sun will not bring such a tomorrow.

What do you mean? … I know what you’re thinking. What if it doesn’t work?

You won’t fail. If you can do it, without hesitation.

The King is here. You are to join me in welcoming the King.

Tell my wife. When the nightcap is ready, ring the bell.

I have a dagger in front of me. If it is not an illusion, I will stab the king with the dagger. I haven’t done anything yet, but I see a bloody illusion. My thoughts take shape and become facts.
(Bell tolling)
It has been decided. The sound of bells beckons me. Don’t listen to it, Duncan. That tone is calling you to heaven or hell.

Mi si affaccia un pugnal!

Finally, the king fell asleep. What a sorrow. The owl is responding to the tragic farewell.

Regna il sonno su tutti

Who’s there?

What if the king wakes up before the fatal blow is struck?

I’ve done everything. The woman of my fate. Didn’t you hear something murmuring?

Fatal mia donna! un murmure

I heard the hooting of an owl. Isn’t the rest your voice?

Me?
Who’s sleeping in the next room?

Son of the King.

Terrible. What a sight.

Avert your eyes.

I heard a voice in my chest. “You have killed sleep forever. You will be left with nothing but sleepless nights.”

Do you hear another voice? “You’re conceited, but you lack courage. Will you falter and quit?”

Revenge. The Angel of Wrath will thunder down upon me. I hear the holy virtues of King Duncan.

(His soul is trembling and cowering. Who will call him unyielding?)

Put the dagger back in the room, please. Let the bloody guards take the blame.

I can’t get into the room.

Give me the dagger.

Every sound frightens me. These hands! Even the ocean can’t wash these hands away.

My hands got dirty, too. A little sprinkle of water will clean them up. No matter what it is, everything is forgotten.

Do you hear that? The sound has doubled.

Let’s get out of here. We have to wipe away all suspicion of this murder. Come to your senses. Macbeth. Don’t let your petty fears get the better of you.

It’s horrible. Look at the room. It’s a crime. Betrayal!

What’s all the fuss about?

King Duncan has been murdered.

All
Great God. God who sees into all hearts. We seek your counsel to tear down the veil of darkness. Mark the faces of sinners as you did the first murderers.

O gran Dio, che ne’ cuori penetri

Why are you running away from me? What happened can’t be undone. Duncan’s son suddenly crossed over to England and is known as the parent killer. The throne is now empty and has been entrusted to you.

But the spirit women foretold that Banco would be the father of kings. Will his son reign? Is that what Duncan died for?

Indeed, Banco and his son are still alive, but…

Blood has to be spilled. It’s tonight. Banco. You will open your kingdom in the next life.

The light of the day that runs forever through the sky fades and the light fades away. Let the longing night veil the hand of hurtful sin.

La luce langue, il faro spegnesi

Assassins
“Who wants us to gather here?”
“Macbeth.”
“To kill Banquo.”
“He’s coming through here with his son.”

The sun is gone. Night reigns malice and bloodshed. Let us wait for them in silence. Tremble, Banquo. You will have the tip of the knife at your side.

Sparve il sol… la notte or regni

Be careful, my son. Let’s get out of this dark place. I have a bad feeling and a suspicion. It’s as if shadows are falling from the sky, growing darker and darker. It was on a similar night that King Duncan was killed.

Studia il passo, o mio figlio

Run, son. We’ve been tricked.

All
Long live the king. Long live the queen.

I welcome you all. I will ask my wife to propose a toast.

We will fill your cup with the best wine. Joy is born, and suffering disappears. Hatred and contempt fly away, and there is only love here.

Si colmi il calice di vino eletto

All
Joy is born, and suffering disappears.

There’s blood on your face.

Assassin
It’s Banco’s blood.

Well done. But did you kill his son?

Assassin
He escaped. Banco is dead.

Who will keep you from the joy of the feast?

Banco is missing. That brave man is the one who deserves to close the banquet.

He said he was coming, but he hasn’t, has he?

I’ll sit in his place.

Who did this?

All
What is he talking about?

(To the ghost) Don’t say it. Don’t tell them I did it. Don’t wave your bloody hair around at me.

All
Macbeth is crazy. Let us leave.

Please wait. He’s sick for a moment. (Whispering to Macbeth) You’re a man, aren’t you?

I am. If I see something so horrible that it threatens my soul… there, can’t you see it?

(To the ghosts) O you who shake your hair, can the grave save the slain?

(Whispering to Macbeth) You’re insane.

My eyes looked at him.

(In a strong tone) Sit down. Our guest is grieving. We are to awaken their joy.

Forgive me, everyone. Let the happy toast sound again. Don’t forget that Banco is far away.

We will fill your cup with the best wine. Joy is born, and suffering disappears. Hatred and contempt fly away, and there is only love here.

For Banco’s sake! For the warrior flower, the hero of Scotland.

Si colmi il calice di vino eletto

Depart, souls of the abyss! Let the earth swallow you up. Let your bones burn.

All
Horrible!

I am brave. Even if you were a tiger or a lion and attacked me, you would not see Macbeth tremble. Go away.

(whispering to Macbeth) It’s disgraceful.

The ghosts want my blood. And so it will be. Let the witch break the veil of the future.

O, foolish soul! Your fear has created a ghost. The crime is over. Those who are dead cannot return.

A horrible mystery. I will leave this land. It is now ruled by a cursed hand, and only the guilty can dwell here.

All
A horrible mystery. He was talking to a ghost. This place has become a den of thieves.

Witches
“Three times the cat purred maniacally.”
“Three times the lamprey moans.”
“Three times the porcupine cries in the storm.”

Now is the time. Stir the cauldron.

Tre volte miagola la gatta in fregola

(To his men at the entrance of the cave) Wait in silence until I call out to you.

(To the witches) What are you doing? Mysterious women.

Witches
(Solemnly) It’s a job with no name.

I would like to ask you to do something hellish for me. Even if it means restarting the ancient war between heaven and earth to learn my fate.

Witches
From the unknown, we will be able to hear. Can I ask our master?

Summon them. If they will help me solve the dark mysteries of my future.

Witches
Wandering souls, ascend, descend.

Illusion #1
Beware of Macduff.

I had my doubts about him, but I’ll keep an eye out for him. Just one word…

Illusion #2
If you can be bloody and fierce, no one born of a woman will harm you.

Macduff. I forgive you for your life. No, you will die. Your death will serve as a double defense.

What are lightning and thunder? A child wearing a king’s crown!

Illusion #3
As long as the forest of Barnum does not start moving towards you, you are invincible.

It’s a happy prophecy. Even with magic, the forest has never moved.

(To the witch) Now, tell me if any of Banquo’s descendants will take my throne.

Witches
Don’t probe.

I want to know. If you don’t tell me, my sword will come down on you.

Witches
Come forth and vanish like a mist.

(To the first king) Go away, royal ghost. You remind me of Banquo. (To the second king) Scary apparition. Are there more of them?

Three, four, five. Terrible. In the hand of the last one, a mirror shines. In that mirror, the new king is reflected, isn’t he? Banco, oh, what a horrible sight. Do you point at them and laugh at me?

Die, doomed offspring!

Do they still have no life in them?
(To the witch) Will they live?

Witches
They will live.

I’ve lost.

Witches
He fainted! Spirit, regain the fainting king’s mind.

Witches
Ondine and Sylph, send the wind in his face with your white wings.

Ondine e Silfidi

Where am I? Oh, will I be cursed for centuries to come?

Messenger
The queen is coming this way.

I finally found you. What have you been up to?

I questioned the witch again.

And what did they tell you?

Be careful with Macduff. If you can stay bloody and fierce, no one born of a woman can hurt you. As long as the forest of Barnum does not move against you, you are invincible.

But the lineage of Banco has emerged. And it will reign.

It’s a lie. Death and extermination for the unjust!

That’s right. Death. We will burn Macduff’s fortress. And his wife and child.

Let’s find Banco’s son and let him die.

Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
It’s time for death and revenge. The roar echoes and reverberates throughout the world. The fate is marked. A crime must be committed. For it is in the blood that this plan was begun.

Ora di morte e di vendetta

Refugees
My oppressed homeland. We cannot even have our beloved name, our mother’s name. All the children have gone to their graves. Whenever the sun rises anew, a cry goes up, and the heavens grieve. O oppressed country, in every sorrow you will hear the tolling of the bell for the dead.

Patria oppressa!

My sons, my sons were all killed by that tyrant. Their unfortunate mother too, along with her children.

In the hands of this father, there was no shield to protect you from the evil assassin. I went into exile and hid myself, and my children called to me in vain. Bring that tyrant before me.

Ah, la paterna mano

Malcolm
Where are we? What’s the name of that forest?

All
Barnum’s Woods.

Malcolm
Each of you must bring a branch and hide in front of it.
(To Macduff) Take solace in vengeance.

He has no children.

Malcolm
Pick up your weapon and follow me.

All
My betrayed homeland calls to me. Brothers! O oppressed ones! Let us fight to save them.

La patria tradita piangendo ne invita!

Doctor
I’ve been monitoring you for two nights now for nothing.

Maid
Lady Macbeth appears.

Doctor
How wide she opened her eyes!

Maid
Still, she couldn’t see anything.

Doctor
Why is she rubbing her hands?

Maid
She thinks she’s washing it.

The stain is still there… it’s telling me to leave, be damned.

The time has come. Are you trembling? You dare not enter the room? I can’t believe there are such cowardly warriors. I’m ashamed of you.

Who would have thought that so much blood would come out of that old man (King Duncan)?

Una macchia è qui tuttora

(Looking at my hands) Will I never know how to wash these hands?

It’s night. Now go. Get rid of them. Banco is dead. No man rises again from the grave.

You can’t undo what’s been done. Let’s go. Macbeth. Let’s be careful not to let people notice our pale complexion.

Doctor and Maid
O God, pity her.

How dare you, wicked one, join forces with England?

The prophecy said. “If you can be bloody and fierce, no one born of woman will harm you.”

Mercy, respect, love. Such comforts will not blossom in the time when I am going gray. On my royal headstone, there will be only words of cursing, even if I wish for kind words. It will be a song of condolence.

Pietà, rispetto, amore

Maid
The queen (Lady Macbeth) is dead!

(With indifference and disdain) Life. What does it matter? It is the nonsense of the foolish.

Soldiers
Barnum’s Woods is on the move.

Oh, the prophecy of hell, I am disappointed. Pick up your weapon, death or glory!

Soldiers
Weapons! Death or glory!

You killed my child. I’ve come to see you.

Leave. No one born of a woman can kill me.

I was not born, I was torn apart. I was dragged out of my mother’s womb.

What is it?

Malcolm
Where did he run off to? That usurper.

There he is. He was stabbed by me.
(gets down on one knee) Long live the King.

All
Long live the king. Macbeth, where is he? Where is the usurper? Struck down in a single breath by the god of victory.

(To Macduff) He is a brave hero. He made the traitor disappear. He saved his country and his king. Honor and glory!

Salve, o re!

Let us surrender ourselves to the King. Our love has returned. May the dawn give you peace and glory.

Malcolm
Trust me, Scotland. The oppressors are gone. Let our joy be eternal, for we have won.