Act 3 Scene 1 Soliloquy

Old English:

To be thus is nothing,

But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo

Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature

Reigns that which would be feared. 'Tis much he dares,

And to that dauntless temper of his mind

He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor

To act in safety. There is none but he

Whose being I do fear, and under him

My genius is rebuked, as it is said

Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters

When first they put the name of king upon me

And bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike,

They hailed him father to a line of kings.

Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown

And put a barren scepter in my grip,

Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,

No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,

For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;

For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered;

Put rancors in the vessel of my peace

Only for them; and mine eternal jewel

Given to the common enemy of man,

To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!

Rather than so, come fate into the list,

And champion me to th' utterance. Who’s there?

Banquo and his son

Translation: To be the king is nothing if I'm not safe. I'm very afraid of Banquo. There's something about him that makes him feared. He is willing to take risks, and his mind never stops working. He has wisdom to act brave but also safely. He's the only one I fear. My guardian angel is frightened, just as Mark Anthony's angel supposedly feared Caesar. He (Banquo) chided the witches when they first called me king, and making them speak to him. Then,  like prophets, they named him the father to a line of kings. They placed a crown on my head and a scepter to hold which I must keep. None of my family can take these things away from me it must be someone outside, since my sons cannot take my place as king. If this is true,  then I've tortured my conscience and killed Duncan for Banquo's sons. I've ruined myself for their benefit. I gave my soul to the devil so they can become kings. Banquo's sons, kings! Instead of seeing what happened, I will challenge fate to battle and fight til there is a champoin. Who's there?