Lady Macbeth – After the Banquet

(Lady Macbeth enters rushing down from the staircase talking to her self)

I do not understand why it has been so hard for Macbeth to survive after the

death of Duncan. Fear glides through every part of his body. (Stands up) All it

was, was stabbing Duncan with two daggers. The blood had frightened him so

much! All he had to do was wash it off with water (hands washing movement),

just like I did. I did not see any problem with all of that. All I was thinking about

was Macbeth’s future, and mine of course. I wanted the thrown, the crown, the

power; I wanted everything that I had ever dreamt of! (Looks upwards

fantasizing)

Today he almost screwed up everything! (Looks straight at the camera) He had

killed Banquo, because Banquo would have been a rock in the smooth road to the

crown. But at the Banquet today, he started acting strange. By strange, I mean,

STRANGE. (Ephasis on “strange”) In front of everyone at the banquet he started

to act guilty and started going mad. I didn’t know what to do! I was shocked, I

was terrified! He suddenly started pointing at an empty chair and started talking

to some imaginary person! I think it was Banquo. He did kill Banquo before the

banquet. Besides, he was talking to the empty chair that he had reserved for

Banquo. My heart was almost coming out of my mouth. (Slides hands on chest

upwards, towards mouth)

He was yelling in horror, and discomfort was taking over my body, holding onto

every vein, muscle, bone (Show the body parts), until I suddenly burst into a

rage of anger! Violently like the wind I ran towards him (Run towards

audience), and took hold of his arms! Trying to cool him down, and persuading

him that no one waits for him on that chair! That chair is empty!

Every person in that room had their eyes glued on Macbeth, and I. I was

humiliated, my face started turning hot and red, I felt my stomach twitching

inside of me! (Hold stomach) It was a powerful feeling of embarrassment.

Everyone was looking at me with their eyes full of questions. (Hands on eyes)

Questions that I had no answers to. I take a deep breath, and calm myself down. I

look at everyone, and there is silence. I am thinking what I should say next.

Before that, everyone starts leaving. They look at me, and shake my hand and

bow down low.

(Pauses)

(Sits down on staircase)

Isn’t this what I wanted in the first place? (Pause) People bowing at me, and

obeying what I say. (Pause) Well, then why am I feeling so bad when they are

giving me the respect? Am I feeling guilty for what I’ve done? (Pause)(Confused

face) (Stands up in quick speed) No! Never! I would never feel guilty! I am

strong, and I know I do not need to feel guilty about anything!

I just hope everything turns out to be the way I want it to be. (Leaves stage

slowly walking down, staring at the direction she’s walking)