Dramatic Monologue
Shakespeare – Macbeth
I shall play the part of Lady Macbeth. After the ghost of Banquo has appeared at the banquet in Act III Scene IV.
The household hath been put a-bed
And alone this Lady it seems is now
To rest this long night calls.
Who hath stole my sleep
Sleep this night has fled
Hope that sleep hath not evaded my husband
For he be plagued by spirits of guilt
It canst be said that guilt bear no trouble to your conscience
Banquo he hath killed and would had Fleance too.
For Fleance fled
And now he speaks of a vision of Banquo
In such company, all cheers and goodwill
Staring at nothing and screaming so
Oh what ails my dear husband
Is it nature that hath taken control
Or is it just he burdened by a past repeated
This disruption on nature
Leaving Banquo in the bottom of its womb
all for the murder of one so loyal a friend to thee
Yet now buried in a ditch is he
Naught did I hear of this plan
To rid our Banquo of this land
Husband...
No longer doth he come to me
Me thinks he hath forgotten me
Me whom he called "dearest partner in greatness"
Such partner we seems now
It seems dear husband no longer need my hand
to help in his resolve of this last plan
Banquo gone to the netherlands
fated by the time and destiny's sands
We took prophecy and made it past
It seems my husband hath let prophecy overtake judgement
And behest this power was born
yet my husband still doth he not posses
Such kingly qualities that I know best
It would be night turned day to think
That a women such is I could hold such power at my husbands side
To walk with thee, thy noble knight
and to share in thee the very same plight
Hold, Such words I speak
with husband pale and sick it seemed
he claiming it but a self- abuse
he doth become sick of mind and weak of heart.
Yet weak he seemed in the initiate
with much that needed my leading sway
I would hath done the deed myself
yet t'was the image of my father that stayed my hand
hell hath not opened its gate for me yet
but shall it be open evermore if this deed had come to pass
dear husband did the deed
and now he pays by the spirits creed.
And still he hath not come to me since
no longer am I of need
im sure my husband do love me
as certainly as I love thee.
My husbands love for me a canst doubt.
He hath wronged me so but still my loyal soul hath not wavered.
My head hath taken over again.
It is deeds done which break me now.
Not yet though to doubt my husbands love.
But enough to doubt my husbands steps.
He hath wronged when he crossed me so.
Including me not in what did go.
Taking flight did this bird go.
Alone embarked, and alone he strove.
Pushing aside his one true love.
Turning to hide from those above.
But see the owl hath eyes its opened.
This night sky hath seen it all.
And it shall see forevermore.