Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham is a series on the Starz channel that features actors – Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish – from the show Outlander. For those that don't know, Outlander tells the story of two lovers, their adventures in history, and time travel. Yes, based on the Diana Gabaldon novel it involves time travel. Scotland is a major player in the novel and tv show and this road trip series is about these actors exploring Scotland and all its traditions. It came out in March, I recorded it, and am only now watching it. You can probably find it on demand or online. The scenery is absolutely beautiful.
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What captured my interest last night was episode 104 Witches and Superstition. Graham quoted a scene from Shakespeare's MacBeth. Very atmospheric. According to a Scottish native historian of witches, Shakespeare based the witches in MacBeth on the witches of Forres. A sad and terrifying historical time period in the country. I'm digressing from my original intent to quote the scene. Here it is below:
MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed. Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day
And with thy bloody and invisible hand
Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow
Makes wing to th' rooky wood.
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.
Thou marvel’st at my words: but hold thee still.
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.
So, prithee, go with me.
If you look up the scene in No Fear Shakespeare, you'll find the modern version of these passages.
It’s better you don’t know about it until after it’s done, when you can applaud it. (to the night) Come, night, and blindfold the kindhearted day. Use your bloody and invisible hand to tear up Banquo’s lease on life, which keeps me in fear. (to himself) The sky’s getting dark, and the crow is returning home to the woods. The gentle creatures of the day are falling asleep, while night’s predators are waking up to look for their prey. (to LADY MACBETH) You seem surprised at my words, but don’t question me yet. Bad deeds force you to commit more bad deeds. So please, come with me.
At Poe in Wonderland, we have a strong love of words and that's why this particular passage caught our interest. Check out the Men in Kilts to see more episodes where they meet the people and learn about the great country of Scotland itself.
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