English Literature books summary

done, and that he spends every waking moment in fear and each night

embroiled in nightmares. He says that he envies Duncan, who sleeps

peacefully in his grave. Lady Macbeth warns him to act cheerful in front of

their dinner guests, and Macbeth says that he will, and asks her to pay

special attention to Banquo tonight, both in speech and looks. Lady Macbeth

tries to comfort him by reminding him that although Banquo and Fleance

live, they are not immortal, and he should not fear them. Macbeth responds

elusively, telling her that "a deed of dreadful note" will be done tonight;

he will not tell her more.

Act 3, scene 3

The two murderers are joined by a third, who says that he has also been

hired by Macbeth. Horses are heard approaching, and Banquo and Fleance

enter. The murderers attack Banquo, but Fleance flees. The murderers leave

to report back to Macbeth.

Act 3, scene 4

At the banquet, Macbeth is just welcoming his guests when one of the

murderers comes to the door. He informs Macbeth that Banquo is dead but

Fleance has escaped. Shaken, Macbeth thanks him for what he has done and

arranges another meeting the next day. The murderer leaves and Macbeth

returns to the feast. Standing next to the table, he announces that the

banquet would be perfect if only Banquo were there. At this point, unseen

by any, Banquo's ghost appears and sits in Macbeth's seat. The guests urge

Macbeth to sit and eat with them, but Macbeth says that the table is full.

When Lennox points to Macbeth's empty seat, Macbeth is shocked to see

Banquo sitting there. He addresses the ghost, saying, "Thou canst not say I

did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me." The guests, confused by his

behavior, think that he is ill, but Lady Macbeth reassures them, saying

that he has had "fits" like this since youth, and that he will soon be

well. She draws Macbeth aside and tries to talk some sense into him,

telling him that this is just a hallucination brought on by his guilt, like

the dagger he saw before he killed Duncan. Ignoring her, Macbeth charges

the ghost to speak, and it disappears. Disgusted, Lady Macbeth scolds him

for being "unmanned in folly." Turning back to his guests, Macbeth tells

them that he has "a strange infirmity" that they should ignore.

Just as the party begins again and Macbeth is offering a toast to Banquo,

the ghost reappears, and Macbeth again yells at it. Lady Macbeth again

tries to smooth things over with the guests. The ghost exits again and Lady

Macbeth scolds Macbeth him. This time Macbeth responds in kind, telling her

that he is shocked that she can look on sights such as this and not be

afraid. Ross asks what sights Macbeth means, and Lady Macbeth tells the

guests that they should leave, because Macbeth's "illness" is getting

worse.

The guests leave, and Macbeth, frightened, says that he takes this

appearance as an omen. He decides that he will go back to the Weird Sisters

the next day and ask to hear more.

Act 3, scene 5

On the heath, the witches meet Hecate, queen of witches, who chastises them

for meddling in Macbeth's affairs without involving her or showing him any

fancy magic spectacles. She tells them that Macbeth will visit them

tomorrow, and that they must put on a more dramatic show for him.

Act 3, scene 6

Lennox and another lord discuss politics. Lennox comments sarcastically on

the recent deaths of Duncan and Banquo, saying that it seems almost

impossible for Malcolm and Donalbain to be inhuman enough to kill their

father, and that Macbeth's slaying of the bodyguards was pretty convenient,

since they would probably have denied killing Duncan. Lennox proposes that

if Malcolm, Donalbain, and Fleance were in Macbeth's prison, they would

probably be dead now too. He also reveals that since Macduff did not attend

Macbeth's feast, he has been denounced. The lord with whom Lennox speaks

comments that Macduff has joined Malcolm at the English court, and that the

two of them have asked Siward to lead an army against Macbeth. Lennox and

the lord send their prayers to Macduff and Malcolm.

Act 4 Summary Act 4, scene 1

The witches circle their cauldron, throwing into it the elements of their

magic spell while chanting "double, double toil and trouble; / Fire burn,

and cauldron bubble." Hecate appears, and they all sing together, then

Hecate leaves again. Macbeth enters, demanding answers. The witches

complete their magic spell and summon forth a series of apparitions. The

first is an Armed Head (a head wearing a helmet), that warns Macbeth to

beware the Thane of Fife (Macduff). The second apparition is a bloody

child, who tells him that "none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth."

Hearing this, Macbeth is bolstered, and states that he no longer needs to

fear Macduff then. The third apparition is a child wearing a crown, with a

tree in its hand, who says that "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until /

Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill [Macbeth's castle] / Shall come

against him." This cheers Macbeth even more, since he knows that nothing

can move a forest. Macbeth now asks his last question: will Banquo's

children ever rule Scotland?

The cauldron sinks, and a strange sound is heard. The witches now show

Macbeth the "show of kings": a procession of eight kings, the eighth of

whom holds a mirror in his hand, followed by Banquo. As Banquo points at

this line of kings, Macbeth realizes that they are indeed his family line,

and that the witches' words were true. The witches dance and disappear, and

Lennox enters, with the news that Macduff has fled to England. Macbeth

resolves that from now on he will act immediately on his ambitions, and the

first step he will take will be to seize Fife and kill Macduff's wife and

children.

Act 4, scene 2

At Fife, Ross visits Lady Macduff, who is frightened for her own safety now

that her husband has fled. He reassures her by telling her that her husband

did what he had to do, and takes his leave, telling her that he will return

soon. After he leaves, Lady Macduff engages her son in a conversation about

his missing father. The little boy shows wisdom beyond his years in his

side of the discussion. A messenger interrupts them with a warning to flee

the house immediately. But before Lady Macduff can go anywhere, Macbeth's

hired murderers attack the house and kill everyone in it.

Act 4, scene 3

Macduff has arrived at the English court and meets with Malcolm. Malcolm,

remembering his father's mistaken trust in Macbeth, tests Macduff by

confessing that he is a greedy, lustful and sinful man, who makes Macbeth

look like an angel in comparison. Macduff despairs and says that he will

leave Scotland forever if this is the case, since there seems to be no man

fit to rule it. Hearing this, Malcolm is convinced of Macduff's goodness

and reveals that he was merely testing him; he has none of these faults to

which he has just confessed. In fact, he claims, the first lie he has ever

told was this false confession to Macduff. He then announces that Siward

has assembled an army of ten thousand men and is prepared to march on

Scotland.

A messenger appears and tells the men that the king of England is

approaching, attended by a crowd of sick and despairing people who wish the

king to cure them. The king, according to Malcolm, has a gift for healing

people with the laying on of hands.

Ross enters, just come from Scotland, and reports that the country is in a

shambles. When Macduff asks how his wife is, Ross replies "Ay, well,"

meaning that they are now beyond Macbeth's grasp. Pressed further, he

relates the story of her death. Macduff is stunned speechless, and Malcolm

urges him to cure his grief by acting, and getting revenge on Macbeth.

Macduff replies "he has no children," meaning perhaps that Malcolm does not

know what it feels like to lose a child, or that Macbeth could never have

killed another man's children if he had children of his own. He is overcome

with guilt that he was gone from his house when it happened. Again Malcolm

urges him to put his grief to good use and seek revenge, and all three men

leave to prepare for battle.

Act 5 Summary Act 5, scene 1

Back at Dunsinane, the Scottish royal home, a gentlewoman who waits on Lady

Macbeth has summoned a doctor because Lady Macbeth has been walking in her

sleep. The doctor reports that he has watched her for two nights already

and has not seen anything strange. The gentlewoman describes how she has

seen Lady Macbeth rise, dress, leave her room, write something on a piece

of paper, read it and seal it, and return to bed, all without waking up.

When the doctor asks if the Lady said anything while sleepwalking, the

gentlewoman says that what the Lady said she does not dare to repeat. They

are interrupted by the sleepwalking Lady Macbeth, who enters carrying a

candle. The gentlewoman reports that Lady Macbeth asks to have light by her

all through the night. The doctor and the gentlewoman watch as Lady Macbeth

rubs her hands as if washing them and says " yet here's a spot . . . . Out,

damned spot, out I say!" As she continues to "wash" her hands, her words

betray her guilt to the watchers. She seems to be reliving the events of

the nights of Duncan and Banquo's deaths. She cannot get the stain or smell

of blood off her hand: "will these hands ne'er be clean? . . . . All the

perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand." The doctor is

shocked and understands that Lady Macbeth's words have heavy implications.

The sleepwalking lady imagines she hears knocking at the gate and returns

to her chamber. The doctor concludes that Lady Macbeth needs a priest's

help, not a physician's, and takes his leave, warning that he and the

gentlewoman had better not reveal what they have seen and heard.

Act 5, scene 2

Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox march with a company of soldiers

toward Birnam Wood, where they will meet up with Malcolm and the English

army. They claim that they will "purge" the country of Macbeth's sickening

influence.

Act 5, scene 3

At Dunsinane, Macbeth tires of hearing reports of nobles who have fled from

him to join the English forces. He recalls the witches' prophesy that he

has nothing to fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane or until he meets

up with a man not born of woman, and since these events seem impossible, he

feels unstoppable. A servant enters with the news that then thousand men

have gathered to fight against them, and Macbeth sends him away, scolding

him for cowardice. He calls for his servant Seyton to help him put on his

armor, and asks the doctor who has been treating Lady Macbeth how she is.

The doctor replies that she is not sick but troubled with visions, and that

she must cure herself of these visions (presumably by confessing the crimes

she has committed). Macbeth is not pleased with this answer. As his

attendants begin to arm him, he facetiously asks the doctor if it he could

test the country's urine to find out what disease ails it, and give it a

purgative medicine to cure it. Fully armed, Macbeth begins to leave the

room. As he goes, he professes that he will not be afraid of anything until

Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. Aside, the doctor confesses that he would

like to be as far away from Dunsinane as possible.

Act 5, scene 4

Malcolm, Siward, Young Siward, Macduff, Mentieth, Caithness, and Angus

march toward Birnam Wood. When they approach the forest, Malcolm instructs

each soldier to cut a branch from the trees and carry it in front of him as

the group marches on Dunsinane, in order to disguise their numbers. Siward

informs Malcolm that Macbeth confidently holds Dunsinane, waiting for their

approach. Malcolm comments that Macbeth must be incredibly optimistic,

since almost all of his men have deserted him. The army marches on toward

Dunsinane.

Act 5, scene 5

Macbeth confidently orders his men to hang his banners on the outer walls

of the castle, claiming that his castle will hold until the men who attack

it starve of famine. If only the other side was not reinforced with men who

have deserted him, he claims, he would not think twice about rushing out to

attack the English army head-on. He is interrupted by the sound of women

screaming within, and Seyton leaves to see what the trouble is. Macbeth

comments that he had almost forgotten what fear felt and tasted like.

Seyton returns and announces that Lady Macbeth is dead. Seemingly unfazed,

Macbeth comments that she should have died later. He stops to muse on the

meaning of life, which he says is "but a walking shadow, a poor player /

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more.

It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying

nothing."

A messenger enters and reports that he has seen something unbelievable: as

he looked out toward Birnam Wood, it looked like the forest began to move

toward the castle. Macbeth is stunned and begins to fear that the witch's

words may come true after all. He instructs his men to ring the alarm.

Act 5, scene 6

Malcolm tells his soldiers that they are near enough to the castle now to

throw down the branches they carry. He announces that Siward and Young

Siward will lead the first battle, and that he and Macduff will follow

behind. He tells his trumpeters to sound a charge.

Act 5, scene 7

Macbeth waits on the battlefield to defend his castle. He feels like a bear

that has been "baited": tied to a stake for dogs to attack. Young Siward

enters and demands his name. Macbeth responds that he will be afraid to

hear it: it is Macbeth. The two fight, and Macbeth kills Young Siward,

commenting, as he does, that Young Siward must have been born "of woman."

He exits. Macduff enters and shouts a challenge to Macbeth, swearing to

avenge his wife and children's deaths. He asks Fortune to let him find

Macbeth, and exits. Malcolm and Siward enter, looking for the enemy, and

exit.

Act 5, scene 8

Macbeth enters, contemplating whether or not he should kill himself, and

resolving that he is too brave to do so. Macduff finds him and challenges

him. Macbeth replies that he has avoided Macduff until his point, but now

he will fight. Macduff unsheathes his sword, saying that his sword will

speak for him. The men fight. As they fight, Macbeth tells him that he

leads a charmed life; he will only fall to a man who is not born of woman.

Macduff replies that the time has come for Macbeth to despair: "let the

angel whom thou still hast served / Tell thee Macduff was from his mother's

womb / Untimely ripped" (Macduff was born through the medieval equivalent

of a caesarian section)! Hearing this, Macbeth quails and says that he will

not fight. Macduff replies by commanding him to yield, and allow himself to

be the laughing stock of Scotland under Malcolm's rule. This enrages

Macbeth, who swears he will never yield to swear allegiance to Malcolm.

They fight on, and exit fighting.

Malcolm, Siward, and the other Thanes enter. They have won the battle, but

Malcolm states that Macduff and Young Siward are missing. Ross reports that

Young Siward is dead, and eulogizes him by stating that "he only lived but

till he was a man, / The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed / In the

unshrinking station where he fought, / But like a man he died." Siward asks

if his son's wounds were in his front (in other words, did he fight until

the end, instead of running away), and when he learns that they were, he

declares that he will mourn no more for him then, because he died a hero's

death, and Siward could not wish for a better death for any of his sons.

Macduff enters, carrying Macbeth's severed head, and shouts "Hail, King of

Scotland!" All the men return this shout and the trumpets flourish as

Malcolm accepts the throne. He then announces that he will make the thanes

earls now ­ up until then they had only been called thanes. He will call

back all the men whom Macbeth has exiled, and will attempt to heal the

scars Macbeth has made in the country. All exit, headed toward Scone to

crown Malcolm King of Scotland.

The Merchant of Venice

Act I, Scene One

Antonio, a merchant, is in a melancholic state of mind and unable to find a

reason for his depression. His friends Salerio and Solanio attempt to cheer

him up by telling him that he is only worried about his ships returning

safely to port. Antonio, however, denies that he is worried about his ships

and remains depressed. His two friends leave after Bassanio, Graziano and

Lorenzo arrive. Graziano and Lorenzo remark that Antonio does not look well

before exiting, leaving Bassanio alone with Antonio.

Bassanio informs Antonio that he has been prodigal with his money and that

he currently has accumulated substantial debts. Bassanio reveals that he

has come up with a plan to pay off his obligations by marrying Portia, a

wealthy heiress in Belmont. However, in order to woo Portia, Bassanio needs

to borrow enough money so that he can act like a true nobleman. Antonio

tells him that all his money is invested in ships at sea, but offers to

borrow money for him.

Act I, Scene Two

Portia, the wealthy heiress, discusses her many suitors with her noblewoman

Nerissa. She points out the faults that each of them has, often

stereotyping each suitor according to the country from which he has

arrived. Nerissa, a gentlewoman who works for Portia, asks her if she

remembers a soldier who stayed at Belmont several years before. Portia

recalls the man, and says, "Yes, yes, it was Bassanio" (1.2.97). Portia's

servingman then arrives with news that four of her suitors are leaving, but

another, the Prince of Morocco, has arrived.

Act I, Scene Three

Bassanio in engaged in conversation with Shylock, a Jew who makes his

living as a moneylender. Bassanio has asked him for a loan of three

thousand ducats, a very large sum at the time, for a period of three

months. He further tells Shylock that Antonio is to "be bound," meaning

that Antonio will be responsible for repaying the loan.

Shylock knows Antonio's reputation well, and agrees to consider the

contract. He asks Bassanio if he may speak with Antonio first, and Bassanio

invites Shylock to dinner. Shylock responds that he will never eat with a

Christian.

Antonio arrives at that moment and Bassanio takes him aside. Shylock

addresses the audience and informs them that he despises Antonio. He bears

an old grudge against Antonio which is not explained, but Shylock is

further upset that Antonio lends out money without charging interest,

thereby lowering the amount he is able to charge for lending out his own

money. Shylock turns to Antonio and tells him why interest is allowed in

the Hebrew faith by quoting a biblical passage in which Jacob receives all

the striped lambs from his father-in-law. Antonio asks him if the passage

was inserted into the bible to defend interest charges. He states, "Was

this inserted to make interest good, / Or is your gold and silver ewes and

rams?" (1.3.90-91). Shylock replies that, "I cannot tell. I make it breed

as fast" (1.3.92).

Antonio is upset that Shylock is considering charging him interest on the

loan, and asks Shylock to loan the money without any interest. Shylock

tells him that, "I would be friends with you, and have your love"

(1.3.133). He offers to seal the bond, "in a merry sport" (1.3.141) without

charging interest, but as collateral for the loan demands a pound of

Antonio's flesh. Antonio thinks Shylock is only joking about the pound of

flesh, and is happy to seal the contract. He remarks that, "The Hebrew will

turn Christian; he grows kind" (1.3.174).

Act II, Scene One

The Prince of Morocco meets with Portia and tells her that he is often

considered very handsome on account of his black skin. She tells him that

unfortunately she does not have the right to choose the man who will marry

her. Instead, her father created three caskets from among which each suitor

must choose. Portia warns the Prince that if he chooses the wrong casket,

he must swear to never propose marriage to a woman afterwards. The Prince

of Morocco agrees to this condition and joins Portia for dinner before

attempting to choose.

Act II, Scene Two

Lancelot, referred to as a clown, is the servant to Shylock. He tells the

audience that he is thinking about running away from his master, whom he

describes as a devil. However, he cannot make up his mind about whether to

run away or not because his conscience makes him guilty when he thinks

about leaving Shylock.

Lancelot's father, and old man named Gobbo, arrives with a basket. He is

nearly completely blind and cannot see Lancelot clearly. Gobbo asks his son

which way leads to the Jew's house, meaning Shylock's house. He mentions

that he is searching for his son Lancelot. Lancelot decides to have some

fun with his father, and so he pretends to know a "Master Lancelot" (a term

for a gentleman's son, not a servant). He informs Gobbo that "Master

Lancelot" is deceased.

Gobbo is clearly upset by this, and Lancelot kneels down in front of him

and asks his father for his blessing. Gobbo at first does not believe that

Lancelot is really his son, but then he feels his head and recognizes him.

Lancelot tells his father that he is wasting away serving Shylock and that

he will turn into a Jew himself if he stays there much longer. Gobbo has

brought a present for Shylock, but Lancelot instead convinces his father to

give it to Bassanio, whom Lancelot hopes to have as his new master.

Bassanio, coming onto stage at that moment, accepts the gift of doves and

tells Lancelot that he may leave Shylock and join his service. He then

orders one of the men to get Lancelot a new uniform to wear, and sends

Lancelot away.

Graziano arrives and tells Bassanio that he wants to join him on the trip

to Belmont, where Bassanio plans to go and woo Portia. Bassanio feels that

Graziano is too loud and rude and asks him if he will be able to act more

appropriately. Graziano says that he can, and that he will "put on a sober

habit" (2.2.171). Bassanio then agrees to take him to Belmont.

Act II, Scene Three

Jessica, the daughter of Shylock, meets with Lancelot and tells him that

she will miss him after he leaves to go work for Bassanio. She hands him a

letter to take to Lorenzo, who is supposed to be a guest of Bassanio's that

night. After Lancelot leaves, Jessica remarks,

"Alack, what heinous sin is it in me

Страницы: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47