Today’s Totally Random Lines

 

                             ‘Tis he.

Third Murderer

Macbeth                  Act III Scene ii, Line 13

 

This is the short scene where Banquo is murdered. It’s Banquo that the Third Murderer is speaking of when he says 

‘Tis he.

It’s a very short scene, less than twenty lines, so I read it through just now and I came up with something interesting. A few scenes earlier Macbeth hires two murderers for this job, but this scene has three murderers. The first line of the scene, spoken by Murderer One to Murderer Three, is

But who did bid thee join with us?

Third Murderer responds,

Macbeth.

Murderers One and Two question this a bit, but then just proceed.
Why do I give you this detail? I give it because it seems interesting that Murderer Three is added. Wherefore (remember, that means why)? Murderer Three is the first to point out that Banquo's son,  Fleance, got away. He seems to be the one of the three that’s paying attention to detail and knows the most about what’s going on. But is he needed? One of the first two murderers couldn’t have noticed that Fleance got away? Murderers One and Two are shadowy enough on their own: they show up in one scene and are assigned the task, they have their own short scenes (this one for the murder), and then Murderer One shows up very briefly in a subsequent scene to report to Macbeth. So, we needed a third guy to beef these guys up? Again, why?

Ah, so it turns out that I’ve stumbled onto a mystery that’s well known. I used the Google and found out that the Third Murderer, and his true identity, has been the topic of many a discussion, scholarly and otherwise, on this play. I guess we shouldn't be surprised. There is much belief that Murderer Three is Macbeth, following up on the two guys he hired to make sure they get the job done.

Needless to say, there is no conclusive evidence to tell us who the third murderer is or why he’s been put into this scene. I guess we’ll have to add this to the list of questions we have for Will when we have him over to dinner. 

Again with the list of questions for when Will comes to dinner.

This guy is a piece of work, no question about that. 

 

Today’s Totally Random Lines

 

I’ll wait upon them: I am ready.

 

Leonato

Much Ado About Nothing     Act III, Scene v, Line 53

Well, this is a pretty innocuous line. It sounds like something I often say to Patrice when we’re getting ready to go somewhere.  

I’ll wait upon you: I am ready. 

Okay, she says, I'm just about ready.

And then I go out and sit in the car, and she comes out five minutes later in a tizzy. What are you sitting here for? I had to fold the clothes, empty the trash, wash the dishes, weed the garden, and slop the hogs; and you’re just sitting here?

Oy. 

My goodness, it certainly isn't easy being you, Mr. Blagys, is it?

No Mojo, it sure isn't.

 

 

Today’s Totally Random Lines

 

For you, great king,

I would not from your love make such a stray,

To match you where I hate; therefore beseech you

T’avert your liking a more worthier way

Than on a wretch whom nature is ashamed

Almost t’acknowledge hers.

 

Lear

King Lear               Act I, Scene i, Line 210

 

Lear is telling the King of France, who had been one of the guys vying for the hand of Lear’s daughter Cordelia, to forget about her. Lear has just disowned Cordelia for not being effusive enough about her love for him. Now he’s telling the king to pick someone worthier to be his wife, rather than this wretch whom nature is ashamed almost to acknowledge hers.

See, now this is the part I’ve always had a little bit of trouble with in this play. Cordelia was honest with her father when he asked her how much she loved him. After her two rat-fink older sisters told Lear that they loved him above everything, he asked Cordelia what she could say that was more opulent than her sisters. Her reply, as we all know was Nothing.

 I love your majesty according to my bond; nor more nor less.

 She goes on

You have begot me, bred me, loved me: I

Return those duties back as are right fit,

Obey you, love you, and most honour you.

Why have my sisters husbands, if they say

They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed,

That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry

Half my love with him, half my care and duty:

Sure, I shall never marry like my sisters,

To love my father all.

And based on this very reasonable reply the old guy goes full psycho on her. Yeah, I don’t get that. But I suppose that’s just me. 

 

 

Now here's a perfect example: I would never expect Mojo to love me all. 

Heck, when the dishwasher is open he doesn't even know I exist!