Repetition in Macbeth 2.3

1. Repetition in Macbeth 2.3 Today’s Aim: What subtext does repetition add to 2.3?

2. The Power of Repetition LADY MACBETH What’s the business, That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak! MACDUFF O gentle lady, ’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. Repetition in a woman’s ear Would murder as it fell. - 2.3.93-99

3. What is repeated? And why? PORTER Here’s a knocking indeed! ... (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub? ... (Knock.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’ other devil’s name? ... O, come in, equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? ... Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose. (Knock.) Knock, knock! ... (Knock.) - 2.3.1-20

4. What is repeated? And why? PORTER Here’s a knocking indeed! ... (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub? ... (Knock.) Knock, knock!Who’s there,in th’ other devil’s name? ... O, come in, equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? ... Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose. (Knock.) Knock, knock!... (Knock.) - 2.3.1-20

5. What is repeated? And why? MACDUFF O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee! - 2.3.73-74

6. What is repeated? And why? MACDUFF O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee! - 2.3.73-74

7. What is repeated? And why? MACDUFF Awake, awake! Ring the alarum bell.—Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain, Malcom, awake! Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, And look on death itself. Up, up, and see The great doom’s image. Malcom, Banquo, As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites To countenance this horror.—Ring the bell. - 2.3.85-92

8. What is repeated? And why? MACDUFF Awake, awake! Ring the alarum bell.—Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain, Malcom, awake! Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, And look on death itself. Up, up, and see The great doom’s image. Malcom, Banquo, As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites To countenance this horror.—Ring the bell. - 2.3.85-92

9. Let’s recap: Why repeat words? • Rhetorical emphasis • Comedy • Emotional upset • Irony

10. Your task: practice speaking the repetition-filled lines in 2.3 • Avoid plateauing! • Use the repetition to build emphasis. • Stimulate the audience’s imagination and draw them in by creating vocal variety. • Make extreme and distinct vocal and physical choices on each repetition of a word or of a phrase. • Increase the meaning of repeated words and phrases with each utterance.

11. What is repeated? And why? PORTER Here’s a knocking indeed! ... (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub? ... (Knock.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’ other devil’s name? ... O, come in, equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? ... Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose. (Knock.) Knock, knock! ... (Knock.) - 2.3.1-20

12. What is repeated? And why? PORTER Here’s a knocking indeed! ... (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub? ... (Knock.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’ other devil’s name? ... O, come in, equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? ... Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose. (Knock.) Knock, knock! ... (Knock.) - 2.3.1-20

13. What is repeated? And why? MACBETH Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with golden blood, And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there the murderers, Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make ’s love known? LADY MACBETH Help me hence, ho! - 2.3.130-138

14. What is repeated? And why? MACBETH Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with golden blood, And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there the murderers, Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make ’s love known? LADY MACBETH Help me hence, ho! - 2.3.130-138

15. What is repeated? And why? MALCOM This murderous shaft that’s shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse, And let us not be dainty of leave-taking But shift away. There’s warrant in that theft Which steals itself when there’s no mercy left. - 2.3.167-172

16. What is repeated? And why? MALCOM This murderous shaft that’s shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse, And let us not be dainty of leave-taking But shift away. There’s warrant in that theft Which steals itself when there’s no mercy left. - 2.3.167-172

17. Let’s recap: Why repeat letter sounds? • A character’s thoughts or intellect • Characters who repeat are being clever, witty, or mwah-ha-ha mad • Tone • K, P, and B  humor • S  hissing • L  lasciviousness • M  warmth and satisfaction • Subtext (the hidden message, the real meaning)

18. Your task: practice speaking the repetition-filled lines in 2.3 • Same rule as before: Avoid plateauing! • Find a way to say the sound that indicates to the audience how much your character is relishing it. • To determine an appropriate way to relish a sound, you’ll benefit from answering questions about it. Is your character being clever, witty, or mwah-ha-ha mad when s/he uses that sound? Is s/he being ironic, sarcastic, or perhaps even literal?

19. Tonight’s Homework • Read and annotate 2.4 (the end of Act 2). • If you’re tracking a word through Act 2, be ready to report tomorrow. You’ll need to lead a discussion about your word, focusing on the conclusions section.