where can i find a script for a soliloquy from "Macbeth" that Lady Macbeth says?

Question

i need at least 12 lines for a assignment in school

Answer 1

First of all, let's get this much cleared up: "Soliloquy" is the term given to an extended sequence of dramatic text spoken by an actor who is ALONE onstage at the time. "Solo"..."soliloquy"...get it? The word derives from the Latin for "alone to speak." It has NOTHING whatsoever to do with "musicals or whatnot," as was previously suggested.

"To be or not to be..." in the play "Hamlet" is a famous example of a Shakesperaean soliloquy. So is "Oh, that this too, too solid flesh would melt..." from the same play. Or "Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I..." also from "Hamlet."

Someone else suggested that characters speaking soliloquies are speaking to themselves. That's only one way of performing them. Bear in mind that in the Elizabethan era (when most of these things were written), it would not be at all uncommon for the actors to address the audience directly. In fact, if you consider the soliloquies of characters such as Richard III and Iago ("Othello"), it's difficult to imagine those passages working any other way. In John Barton's excellent 1984 series "Playing Shakespeare," he speaks at length about the function of soliloquy in Shakespeare's dramaturgy.

Now that we've set the record straight about what a soliloquy IS and what it ISN'T...

Lady Macbeth's "letter speech" (which includes the well-known passage beginning "Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here!") is clearly a soliloquy. You can probably find a copy of the text online (it's in Act I, scene v), or you can certainly pick up a full copy of the printed text in any bookstore for a few bucks.

[postscript: Do the people who answer questions about Shakespeare ever bother to read the plays? Someone just quoted an entire soliloquy that is spoken by the character of MACBETH, and attributed it to LADY Macbeth. That's just not right.]

Answer 2

I know people have already given you the answer, but next time, try looking in the text of Macbeth for a section of Lady Macbeth's lines that are long and no other characters appear to be speaking. That's *probably* a soliloquy! :)

Answer 3

Well, first you should read it yourself and see what you come up with. You will get a much better connection to the piece then if you rely on others. Second, it is always good to get the Arden edition of the play. The Arden has really good footnotes and also historical background of the play, characters, and other good stuff to help you. The footnotes will help you with the allusions that you are not use to. Third, buy you self a copy of the Shakespeare glossary. I don't remember who publishes it but it is a good reference guide. Finally, don't let the language scare you. Remember it is English. I taught Shakespeare to kids and it was amazing how much quicker they caught on to it compared to adults. They had yet to be scared into believing it is hard.

Answer 4

Right Here:

Lady Macbeth: If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly: if the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips. He's here in double trust;
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubim, horsed
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,
Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,
That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on the other.

Answer 5

FYI: A soliloquy refers to a speech a character speaks (to himself, generally) while alone onstage, whether that is a play or a musical. The term is used extensively in Shakespeare, where the long speeches are often spoken while alone.

Answer 6

Well, obviously your best bet would be to consult the play. But I think that would have occured to you by now, so I'm guessing you're looking for a different solution. My suggestion? Google it.

And just for future reference, it would usually be called a monologue, not a soliloquy. "Soliloquy" is typically reserved for musicals and whatnot, though it can sometimes be used to refer to a play. :-)

Answer 7

A few of the ladies I've met on here are regular harridans,up to no good and definitely need keeping a close eye on. ( Some of them are my 'beloved' contacts ). So I usually barge in to have a look and spy on the 'enemy'. I may not necessarily answer though,but often I can't resist the temptation.

Answer 8

You could try your local library. There should be study guides for most of the Shakespeare plays, or otherwise borrow the Complete Works of William Shakespeare and you will find it in there.

Answer 9

http://www-tech.mit.edu/Shakespeare/macbeth/macbeth.1.7.html
We fail!

Answer 10

http://www.shakespeare-monologues.org/womensmonos.htm#macbeth

And good luck!