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The Tragedy of Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Tragedy of Macbeth
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Macb.
You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.
Thankes to your Maiesty Macb.
Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.
Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Macb.
Line 2
You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.
Line 3
Thankes to your Maiesty Macb.
Line 4
Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.
Line 5
Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.
/prəˈnaʊns ɪt fɔːr miː sɜːr tuː ɔːl ˈaʊər frendz fɔːr maɪ hɑːrt spiːks ðeɪ ɑːr ˈwelkəm/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

degrees noun US /dɪˈɡriːz/

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading “You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.”

hearty adjective US /ˈhɑːrti/

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading “You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.”

humble adjective US /ˈhʌmbəl/

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading “Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.”

Lords noun US /lɔːrdz/

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading “You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.”

mingle verb US /ˈmɪŋɡəl/

to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading “Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.”

Pronounce verb US /prəˈnaʊns/

speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way

From this reading “Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.”

require verb US /ˌriːˈkwaɪər/

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading “Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.”

speakes verb US /spiːks/

third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech

From this reading “Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.”

All words in this reading · 51

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

bestnounUS /best/

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

downe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

FriendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/

showing warm and heartfelt friendliness

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

HostnounUS /hoʊst/

a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

Hostesse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

keepes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

LanounUS /lɑː/

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

LordsnounUS /lɔːrdz/

plural of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

Macb

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Macb.

Maiesty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thankes to your Maiesty Macb.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

mingleverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəl/

to bring or combine together or with something else

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

owne

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

PronounceverbUS /prəˈnaʊns/

speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

requireverbUS /ˌriːˈkwaɪər/

require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

selfe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

sitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

SocietynounUS /səˈsaɪəti/

an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

speakesverbUS /spiːks/

third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

StatenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

Thankes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thankes to your Maiesty Macb.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends, For my heart speakes, they are welcome.

timenounUS /taɪm/

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Thankes to your Maiesty Macb.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/

accept gladly

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Our selfe will mingle with Society, And play the humble Host: Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time We will require her welcome La.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You know your owne degrees, sit downe: At first and last, the hearty welcome Lords.

Chapter 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare holds 185 sentences, grouped into 37 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth contain?

Chapter 4 holds 185 sentences of The Tragedy of Macbeth, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 185 sentences, grouped into 37 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of The Tragedy of Macbeth?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Tragedy of Macbeth

Common questions about reading The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Tragedy of Macbeth?

Yes. All 1310 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1129 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Tragedy of Macbeth is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1129, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Tragedy of Macbeth take to read?

About 109 minutes of reading across 262 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Tragedy of Macbeth section by section

How to work through The Tragedy of Macbeth section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 7 chapters of The Tragedy of Macbeth to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Tragedy of Macbeth

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Tragedy of Macbeth, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Addition
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tragedy of Macbeth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Notes
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tragedy of Macbeth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Below
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tragedy of Macbeth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Think
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Tragedy of Macbeth; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.