Lady Macbeth: 5 versions of the sleepwalking scene
Summary
TLDRThis dramatic script excerpt, rich with tension and guilt, seems to be from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. It centers around Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene, where she obsessively tries to wash imaginary bloodstains from her hands, revealing her inner turmoil and the psychological impact of the murder she and her husband committed. The haunting repetition of 'out, damned spot' and the mention of 'Thane of Fife' underscore the play's themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of one's actions.
Takeaways
- 😨 The script is a dramatic monologue from a character who is deeply troubled by guilt and fear, possibly after committing a violent act.
- 💧 There is a recurring theme of blood and the inability to cleanse oneself from it, symbolizing an irreversible deed.
- 👵 The character mentions an 'old man' and his wife, suggesting a murder has taken place, with the old man being a significant victim.
- 🛌 The script includes references to sleep and sleepwalking, hinting at a character's subconscious guilt manifesting in their actions.
- 🤲 The act of washing hands is repeated, indicating a futile attempt to cleanse oneself from the guilt of a crime.
- 🏰 There is mention of a 'gate' and 'knocking,' which could symbolize a barrier between the conscious and subconscious mind or a desire to escape.
- 👻 The presence of a supernatural or psychological element is suggested, with characters speaking of things unseen or unheard by others.
- 👑 The script seems to involve themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of pursuing them at any cost.
- 🕊️ The 'perfumes of Arabia' are mentioned as unable to sweeten the air, suggesting that no amount of luxury or beauty can cover up the stench of guilt.
- 👣 The character speaks of a 'spot' that cannot be removed, which could be a metaphor for an indelible mark left by a terrible act.
- 📜 The monologue has a poetic quality, with repetition and rhythmic speech that conveys a sense of madness or obsession.
Q & A
What is the central theme of the script?
-The central theme of the script revolves around guilt, fear, and the consequences of a violent act, which is likely a murder, as suggested by the recurring motif of blood and the inability to cleanse oneself of it.
Who is the 'old man' mentioned in the script?
-The 'old man' is not explicitly identified in the provided transcript, but from the context, it can be inferred that he is a character who was murdered, and the speaker is surprised by the amount of blood he had.
What does the phrase 'all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand' suggest?
-This phrase suggests that no matter how much one tries to cover up or cleanse themselves from a wrongdoing, the guilt or the stain of the act cannot be completely erased.
What is the significance of the word 'murky' in the script?
-The word 'murky' is used to describe the state of hell, indicating a sense of confusion, darkness, or moral ambiguity that the characters are dealing with.
What is the role of the character who is washing their hands?
-The character washing their hands is likely Lady Macbeth from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', symbolizing her attempt to cleanse herself of guilt from the murder of King Duncan.
What does the line 'what's done cannot be undone' imply?
-This line implies the irreversible nature of the actions taken, suggesting that once a deed is done, especially one of a grave nature, it cannot be taken back or erased.
Why does the character mention 'Thane of Fife'?
-The 'Thane of Fife' is a title held by Macbeth in Shakespeare's play. Mentioning it here could be a reference to Macbeth's rise to power through murder and the subsequent guilt and fear that follow.
What is the significance of the knocking at the gate?
-The knocking at the gate could symbolize the characters' fear of being discovered for their crimes, or it could be a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of guilt and conscience.
How does the script use the motif of sleep and dreams?
-The script uses sleep and dreams to illustrate the psychological impact of the characters' actions, suggesting that their guilt haunts them even in their subconscious state.
What is the role of the character who speaks about 'the heart being sorely charged'?
-This character is likely expressing the heavy burden of guilt and the emotional turmoil that comes with it, indicating that the act of murder has had a profound effect on their psyche.
What does the repetition of 'to bed' signify?
-The repetition of 'to bed' could signify an attempt to escape from reality and the guilt associated with their actions, as sleep often serves as a temporary respite from the troubles of the waking world.
Outlines
😨 Guilt and Bloodstains
This paragraph depicts a scene of guilt and horror. The speaker is haunted by the aftermath of a violent act, as indicated by the recurring theme of blood and the inability to cleanse their hands. The mention of 'the old man' and his wife suggests a murder has taken place, and the speaker is deeply troubled by the consequences of their actions. The presence of a 'spot' that cannot be washed away symbolizes the indelible guilt they carry. The script also includes a reference to Lady Macbeth, who is seen rubbing her hands in a futile attempt to cleanse herself, further emphasizing the psychological torment of the characters.
🤔 Reflections on a Tragic Act
In this paragraph, the speaker is reflecting on the unforeseen consequences of their actions. The phrase 'who would have thought the old man had so much blood in him' indicates surprise at the amount of violence that occurred. The speaker is also grappling with the moral implications of their deeds, as they question the cleanliness of their hands and the lingering smell of blood. The mention of 'the perfumes of Arabia' failing to sweeten the situation highlights the futility of trying to cover up the crime. The paragraph ends with a sense of urgency to move on from the deed, as the speaker is aware that they cannot change what has been done.
😰 The Burden of Guilt
This paragraph delves deeper into the psychological impact of the characters' actions. The speaker acknowledges the weight of their guilt, as they express a desire not to carry such a burden. The reference to 'the heart is sorely charged' suggests a heavy emotional toll. The mention of 'walking in their sleep' and 'dying holy in their beds' could be allusions to the characters' disturbed state of mind and the impossibility of redemption. The paragraph also includes a call to action, urging the characters to 'wash their hands' and 'put on their nightgown,' which may symbolize an attempt to return to normalcy despite the turmoil within.
😖 The Haunting Presence of Blood
The fourth paragraph continues the theme of guilt and the persistent presence of blood as a symbol of the characters' deeds. The speaker is tormented by the memory of the blood and the inability to cleanse themselves of it. The mention of 'Banquo's buried' and the impossibility of him coming out of his grave adds a layer of supernatural fear and guilt. The paragraph also includes a description of Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking and her ritualistic hand-washing, which underscores the psychological impact of the crime and the characters' desperate attempts to cope with their guilt.
😔 The Inescapable Guilt
The final paragraph reinforces the idea that the characters are trapped by their guilt. The speaker expresses a desire to escape the burden of their heart, which is 'sorely charged' with the weight of their actions. The paragraph also includes a reference to the supernatural, with the mention of 'walking in their sleep' and 'dying holy in their beds,' suggesting that even in death, the characters may not find peace. The speaker's insistence on the futility of trying to undo what has been done, 'what's done cannot be undone,' serves as a reminder of the irreversible nature of their actions and the lasting impact of their guilt.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Murky
💡Blood
💡Fear
💡Power
💡Clean
💡Nightgown
💡Spot
💡Unicorn
💡Perfumes of Arabia
💡Dignity
💡Undone
Highlights
The theme of power and its consequences is introduced with the line 'What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?'
The violent act of Macbeth is referenced: 'Thane of Fife had a wife, where is she now?'
The psychological impact of guilt is depicted through the character's obsession with cleanliness: 'Will these hands ne'er be clean?'
The famous line 'Out, damned spot! Out, I say!' illustrates the character's struggle with guilt and remorse.
The character's attempt to rationalize their actions is shown: 'What's done cannot be undone.'
The supernatural element is introduced with the line 'Here she comes, and upon my life, fast asleep.'
The character's fear of discovery is evident: 'She has spoke what she should not.'
The character's internal conflict is highlighted: 'The heart is sorely charged.'
The character's concern for their reputation is expressed: 'For the dignity of the whole body.'
The character's attempt to maintain composure: 'Wash your hands, put on your nightgown, look not so pale.'
The character's realization of the irreversible nature of their actions: 'What's done cannot be undone.'
The character's fear of the supernatural is shown: 'Banquo's buried; he cannot come out on his grave.'
The character's paranoia is evident in the line 'There's knocking at the gate.'
The character's struggle with reality and hallucinations is depicted: 'Her eyes are open, but their sense is shut.'
The character's repetition of actions as a coping mechanism: 'Look how she rubs her hands.'
The character's acknowledgment of the futility of their actions: 'All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.'
The character's final acceptance of their fate: 'To bed, to bed, to bed.'
Transcripts
[Music]
spot
out i say
hell is murky
fine my
lord fire
soldier and feared
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
thane of five
had a wife
where is she
what
will these hands now be clean
no more of that my lord
no more than
you are all with the starting
here's the smell of the blood still
all the perfumes of arabia will not
sweeten this little hat
wash your hands
put on your nightgown
look not so pale
too bad
too bad
cover
come come give me your hand
what's done cannot be undone
too bad
to bed
[Music]
to bed
[Music]
[Music]
[Music]
to bed
[Music]
here she comes
and upon my life
fast asleep
how came she by that light she has
shut
yet
here's a spot
look how she rubs her hands
using the custom dungeon with her to
sing us washing her hands
out
one
to
i lent his
time to do it
hell
is murky
yes
who would have thought the old man
to have had so much blood in him
the thing
of fight
[Music]
where is she now
what
these hands
never be clean
no more of that lord
no more of that your moral with a
starting
go to go to
you have known what you should not she
has spoke what she should not
i'm sure of that
yet
here's the smell of the blood still
oh
the perfumes
of arabia
will not
sweeten
this
little hat
[Music]
the heart
is sorely charged
i would not have such a heart in my
bosom
for the dignity of the whole body
wash your hands
put on your nightgown
look not so pale
i tell you yet again
man cause
birds he cannot come out on his grave
there's knocking
at the gate
to bed
to
bed come
come
come
come give me your hand
what's done
cannot be undone
stupid
ah
you see
her eyes are open
hi
defense is shut
look what she does now
see how she rubs her hands
it is an accustomed action but it seems
washing her hands i have known her to
continue in this a quarter of an hour
and here's a spot
she speaks
i will set down what comes from her to
satisfy my remembrance the more strongly
how
them spots
out i say
is murky
i my lord fi
a soldier in the field
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
saying five had a wife
where is she now
[Music]
heart will these hands near be clean
no more of that my lord
now more of that
you are all with this starting
what you should not
spoken what she should not i'm sure of
that heaven knows what she's known
is the smell of blood still
all the perfumes of arabia
will not sweeten this little hands
[Music]
oh
the size there the heart is sorely
charged i would not have such a heart in
my bosom of the dignity of the whole
body
this disease is beyond my practice
yet i have known those which
walked in their sleep or died holy in
their babies
wash your hands
put on your nightgown
look not so pale
i tell you yet again
van rosberry
he cannot come out on the grave
there's knocking at the gate
come
come come
your um
what's done
cannot be undone
to bed
this is
what any time you heard her say that sir
which i will not report after her
you made her doctor
this must meet you should neither you
know anyone
having no witness to confirm my speech
her eyes are open hi but their sense is
shut
what is it she does now it is in the
custom direction with her to see that's
washing her hands
yet here's a spot
out
one
two
why then it's time to do it
that lives murky
fine my lord fire
i sold you in a feared
what need we fear who knows it when none
can call our power to account
you'd have thought the old man to have
so much blood in him
well well well
thane of fife had a wife
where is she now
what will these hands near be clean
no more of that my lord no more of that
you are always starting go to go to
you have known what you should not she
has spoke what she should not i am sure
of that
it is a smell of blood still
all the perfumes of arabia will not
sweeten this little hand
[Music]
what a size there
how does song get charged
where's your hands
put on your nightgown
look not so pale
i tell you yet again bank was bearish he
cannot come out of his grave
even sir
to bed
to bed
cannot be undone
hello you here she comes
this is her very guys
and upon my life
fast asleep
[Music]
you see her eyes are open hi but their
scents are shut
what is it she does now
look how she rubs her hands 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
i said
one two
what then
it's time to do it
hell
is murky
by my lord vi
a soldier and feared
what need we fear who knows it
when none can call our power to a cult
yet who would have thought the old man
to have had so much
blood in him do you mark that the same
if i've had a wife where is she now
what
will these hands never clean
no more of that my lord no more of that
you are all with this starting
you too
so too you have known what you should
not
she has spoke what she should not i'm
sure of that
heaven knows what she has known
here's the smell of the blood
still
all the perfumes of arabia
will not sweeten
this
little
hand
[Music]
oh
[Music]
the heart is solely charged
i would not have such a heart in my
bosom for the dignity of the whole body
well
well well this
disease is beyond my practice
yet i have known those which have walked
in their sleep who have died holiday in
their beds wash your hands
put on your nightgown look not so pale
i tell you yet again banquo's buried he
cannot come out on his grave
too bad
there's looking at the gate come come
come come
what's done
cannot be
undone
to bear
the best
directly
you
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