Trumpets and the noise of battle. MACBETH enters.
MACBETH
They have me tied to a stake. I can't run away. I have to stand and fight, like a bear (in Shakespeare's time, bears were tied to stakes and attacked by dogs for the amusement of audiences) 's the man who wasn't born from a woman? He's the only one I'm afraid of, nobody else.
YOUNG SIWARD enters.
YOUNG SIWARD
What's your name?
MACBETH
You'll be afraid to hear it.
YOUNG SIWARD
No I won't, even if you were one of the worst demons in hell.
MACBETH
My name's Macbeth.
YOUNG SIWARD
The devil himself couldn't say a name I hate more.
MACBETH
No, nor could the devil's name be more frightening.
YOUNG SIWARD
You lie, you disgusting tyrant. I'll prove with my sword that I'm not scared of you.
They fight and YOUNG SIWARD is killed.
MACBETH
You were born from a woman. Swords don't frighten me. I laugh at any weapon used by a man who was born from a woman.
MACBETH exits.
Trumpets and battle sounds. MACDUFF enters.
MACDUFF
The noise is coming from over there. Tyrant, show your face! If someone other than me kills you, the ghosts of my wife and children will haunt me forever. I can't be bothered to fight these lame soldiers who only fight for money. I'll either fight you, Macbeth, or else I'll put down my sword unused. You must be over there. By the great noise, it sounds like one of the highest-ranking men is being announced. I hope I find him! I ask for nothing more than that.
MACDUFF exits. More battle noises.
MALCOLM and old SIWARD enter.
SIWARD
Come this way, my lord. The castle has been surrendered without a fight. Macbeth's soldiers are fighting on both sides. Our noblemen are battling bravely. The victory is almost yours, and it seems like there's not much left to do.
MALCOLM
Our enemies fight as if they're trying not to hurt us.
SIWARD
Sir, enter the castle.
They exit. Battle noises continue.
