Cutting the Text

Since the Witches in Macbeth are going to be a fairly dominating factor to how we will approach the text, it seems fit that the witches scenes in Act One are kept does it not? In thinking so, Act One is to be kept as it is. Scene Two with Duncan, Malcom, Donalbain and Lennox has been cut entirely, perhaps knowing that Macbeth is brave and that the war in Norway is insignificant. Scene three is a little trickier. The start remains the same till line 42 with “or are you aught That man may question?” to line 47 ending “That you are so”. Though these lines seem to describe the general appearance of the witches, which to an audience may seem vital, this gives us as the cast (as Steve to direct) to be interpreted how ever we see it fit, meaning that we need not have “beards” or each seem haggard with a “choppy finger”. Much nicer maybe?

Line 71 sees the next cut (“By Sinel's death I know I am Thane of Glamis”) to line 78 (“With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.”) meaning that line 70 will be where the witches vanish. The cut section refers only to Macbeth’s inquisitive nature, as he asks the witches how they know the things they say. From line 82 till the end of the scene will also all be cut. Though this is a large chunk of dialogue, it seems a suitable dissection as the information Macbeth and Banquo speak of is just repeating and quizzing the predictions of the witches, more or less.

Scene Four has been slashed entirely, this is where we see Macbeth being thanked by King Duncan for his bravery, along with seeing the challenge that is Malcom and his promise of being future king. Perhaps this would be nice to have just a few lines, so that it appears coherent that Macbeth’s obsession with being King is seen growing, however, Lady Macbeth re-enforces this later on, so perhaps this was a good decision.

Lady Macbeth’s opening speech as she reads the letter has been cut from the first line to the fifth, so starting with “Whiles I stood rapt in...”. On Line 11, there is a cut to line 13, keeping “Lay it to thy heart...”. Perhaps out of fairness for the others lines 20 to 30 have been taken out also, till the entrance of the messenger. Though it seems fair to have taken these lines away, I do believe that this is one of the key parts to Lady Macbeth, as we see her manipulative character being revealed through lines such as “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear..... All that impedes thee from the golden round” (a personal thought there)

After the messenger has been and gone, lines 47 to 50 are also cut, which is the section Lady Macbeth asks for evil spirits to come to her breasts, as they wait for the events to unfold. Though a short cut, this reminds me of her speech further on in the play asking spirits to “unsex” her. Surely she has a conscious to think that as a woman she should not think this way, and yet as a man it is perfectly acceptable, a strange psychology, but intriguing. Following on from line 50 to the end of the scene as it is printed is as far as we have edited, lovely eh?