William Shakespeare, Mr William Shakespeares comedies, histories and tragedies..., 1623, 'First Folio' - detail, Macbeth, p.131, p.II 6r.

Move your pointing device over the image to zoom to detail. If using a mouse click on the image to toggle zoom.
When in zoom mode use + or - keys to adjust level of image zoom.

Date:1623

Description:Macbeth: Shakespeare’s ‘Scottish’ play.

Macbeth, which has earned a reputation among the superstitious and has become known by many actors as ‘The Scottish play’, begins with one of the most famous stage directions in Shakespeare's plays. ‘Enter three witches’ is followed by an incantation which sets the scene for the later witchcraft action.

This page reads:

THE TRAGEDIE OF MACBETH
[Column 1 section reads:]

: Actus Primus. Scoena Prima.
2: [Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches.]
1.
When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
2. When the hurley-burley's done,
When the battle's lost, and won.
3. That will be ere the set of sun.
1. Where the place?
2. Upon the heath.
3. There to meet with Macbeth.
1. I come, Gray-Malkin.
All. Padock calls anon: fair is foul, and foul is fair,
Hover through the fog and filthy air. [ Exeunt.]

[Column 2 on the right the section reads:]

King. O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman.
Cap. As whence the sun begins his reflection,
Shipwrecking storms, and direful thunders:
So from that Spring, whence comfort seem'd to come,
Discomfort swells: Mark King of Scotland, mark,
No sooner justice had, with valour armed,
Compelled these skipping kernes to trust their heels,
But the Norwegan lord, surveying vantage,
With furbished arms, and new supplies of men,
Began a fresh assault.
King. Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo?
Cap. Yes, as sparrows, eagles;
Or the hare, the lion:
If I say true, I must report they were …


Full title: William Shakespeare, Mr William Shakespeares comedies, histories & tragedies published according to the True Originall Copies, London, printed by Isaac Jaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, 1623.

The 'Ashburnham' copy owned by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1570s
Henri Estienne, A mervaylous discourse upon... Katherine de Medici…, 1575 - title page
Henri Estienne, A mervaylous discourse upon... Katherine de Medici…, 1575 - title page

Shakespeare may have owned this book. Shakespeare purchased New Place, the largest ...

1590s
Church of England, Booke of Common Prayer, 1596 - binding view
Church of England, Booke of Common Prayer, 1596 - binding view

A much-used book, possibly owned by Shakespeare. This prayer book, whose dimensions ...

1610s
William Shakespeare, Quartos, A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1600 [1619] - Theseus goes hunting, p.F4v.
William Shakespeare, Quartos, A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1600 [1619] - Theseus goes hunting, p.F4v.

Duke Theseus’ hounds in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Theseus’s ...

Share:


Donor ref:SR/OS 37 1623 [1] (32/10670)

Source: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust - Library

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.