Macbeth: Act 1, Scene 1 Translation

A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 1 of Macbeth from the original Shakespeare into modern English.

Original Text	Translated Text
Source: Folger Shakespeare Library
Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches. FIRST WITCH When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? SECOND WITCH When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. THIRD WITCH That will be ere the set of sun. 5	Three witches (a.k.a. the "weird sisters") meet on a foggy heath (an open plain) in Scotland, amidst thunder and lightening. It's all very dramatic and mysterious. They discuss when they'll meet again, and decide to hook up when the fighting that's going on has ended, which apparently will be today, before sunset.
FIRST WITCH Where the place? SECOND WITCH Upon the heath. THIRD WITCH There to meet with Macbeth.	Where? On the heath, of course, where they'll meet Macbeth.
FIRST WITCH I come, Graymalkin. SECOND WITCH Paddock calls. 10 THIRD WITCH Anon. ALL Fair is foul, and foul is fair; Hover through the fog and filthy air. They exit.	The witches then call out to Graymalkin and Paddock, their "familiars," or spirits (usually animals like cats that serve the witches). Before they go, they hit on one of the play's major themes: nothing is as it seems. Then they exit.