Tuesday 25 October 2011

Macbeth Soliloquy Translation, Act 1 Scene 7.

Scene:
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'd 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 ingredience 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 cherubin, 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 the
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself
And falls on th'other.

Translation:
MACBETH
If it was done when it is done, then it would
be best to get it done quickly. If the assassination
could act as a net and catch all the consequences, and catch
with it the king's success: then the murder
might be the be-all and the end-all in this situation,
I would gladly risk my soul
and after life to do so. But in this lifetime
their is still punishments here; by doing violent crimes we are
teaching other people to do the same, and the violence of our
students will be the plague to us teachers. Justice, being equal to
all, forces our poisoned cups to our own lips instead of others
lips. Duncan is here in double trust;
First, I am his kinsman and his subject,
so I should be loyal to protect him. Second,
I am his host who should shut the door to whoever may try to
murder him, not hold the knife myself. Besides, the King
has been a humble leader, so free of troubles,
that his virtues will speak for him
like angel's playing trumpets against
the evil act of his murder.
And pity, like a newborn baby,
riding the wind with a winged angel on a horse
through the air to tell everyone of horrible news.
People with cry a flood of tears that will drown the
wind. I cannot urge myself to action, but the only
thing motivating me is ambition, which makes people overlap
themselves to destruction.

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