Page:Shakespearean Tragedy (1912).djvu/500

 throughout the passage to some interview subsequent to her husband’s return, and that, in making her do so, Shakespeare simply forgot her speeches on welcoming Macbeth home, and also forgot that at any such interview ‘time’ and ‘place’ did ‘adhere.’ It is easy to understand such forgetfulness in a spectator and even in a reader; but it is less easy to imagine It in a poet whose conception of the two characters throughout these scenes was evidently so burningly vivid.

 

In the scene of confusion where the murder of Duncan is discovered, Macbeth and Lennox return from the royal chamber; Lennox describes the grooms who, as it seemed, had done the deed:

At this point Lady Macbeth exclaims, ‘Help me hence, ho!’ Her husband takes no notice, but Macduff calls out ‘Look to the lady.’ This, after a few words ‘aside’ between Malcolm and Donalbain, is repeated by Banquo, and, very shortly after, all