Act 1 Flashcards
Scene 1
The witches
Fair is foul and foul is fair; hover through the fog and filthy air
Scene 2
Macbeth has shown his courage and bravery (4 quotes)
Brave Macbeth
Noble Macbeth
O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!
Bellona’s bridegroom
Scene 2
Thane of Cawdor is a traitor and Macbeth will be getting his title as a result (Duncan)
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won
Scene 3
Macbeth says something ironic, considering what the witches said previously
So foul and fair a day I have not seen
Scene 3
Banquo sees the witches. He doesn’t really think they look like humans
What are these, so withered, and so wild in their attire, that look not like th’inhabitants o’th’ earth and yet are on’t?
Scene 3
The witches prophecy for King
All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter!
Scene 3
Banquo asks Macbeth why he is so startled/afraid of the nice said to him
Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?
Scene 3
Banquo’s prophecy from the witches
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none
Scene 3
Reference to clothes. Macbeth is asking why he is being called Thane of Cawdor when the Thane still lives
Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?
Scene 3
Macbeth speaking aside to himself. He is now both Thane of Glamis and Cawdor
Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: the greatest is behind
Scene 3
Banquo is speaking to Macbeth about how the witches are trying to gain their trust only to bring destruction and betrayals upon them
But ‘tis strange; and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence.
Scene 3
Macbeth is caught in a dilemma on whether the prophecy (and the supernatural itself) will be good or bad
This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill; cannot be good.
Scene 3
Macbeth decides he will leave the prophecy up to fate and will not interfere
If chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me, without my stir.
Scene 3
Banquo references clothes once again. Dressing Macbeth in clothes that he’s not yet used to, that are new to him
Strange garments
Scene 4
Duncan is speaking about the Thane of Cawdor. Shows Duncan is quite trusting a he put all his trust in the Thane
He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.
Scene 4
Macbeth is quite humble. He is saying that his service to Duncan alone is reward enough
The service and loyalty I owe, in doing it, pays itself.
Scene 4
Macbeth to himself. He speaks of how Malcolm is a stepping stone/obstacle in his way to becoming King. He needs to decide whether or not he want to fall before him or overcome it
The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’er-leap, for in my way it lies.
Scene 4
Macbeth is speaking to himself. He doesn’t want people to see that he truly wants to become King
Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth just read the letter and decides he will be King, but she fears he is too kind to do what needs to be done
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet I do fear thy nature: it is full o’th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth decides she will try to influence Macbeth’s decision to become King
Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits into thine ear and chastise with valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth calls upon evil spirits to change her gender (because women were consider the lesser gender and weak) and fill her with cruelty, taking away her conscience
Unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth wants here own milk taken away from her and to be filled with the bitterness of gall
And take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth greets her husband when he arrives home, telling him he shall be greater than just Thane of Glamis and Cawdor
Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdor! Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth has already decided Duncan must die and that he won’t see the morning
O, never shall sun that morrow see!
Scene 5
Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth how he must act so as not arise suspicion for what he is really about to do
Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.
Scene 6
Duncan has arrived at Inverness and wishes to see Macbeth. Dramatic irony because he wouldn’t say this if he knew about their plan to murder him
Give me your hand: conduct me to mine host. We love him highly, and shall continue our graces towards him.
Scene 7
Macbeth’s soliloquy. He wants the murder, if it happens, to be over and done with quickly. Sooner rather than later
If it were done, when ‘tis done, then ‘twere well it were done quickly
Scene 7
Macbeth’s soliloquy. He is speaking of moral judgement so he doesn’t want to kill just yet.
But, in these cases, we still have judgement here
Scene 7
Macbeth’s soliloquy. He speaking about how he is Duncan’s host so he should be shutting out his murderer, not do the deed himself
As his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself
Scene 7
Macbeth’s soliloquy. His only reason for becoming King is his own ambition
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’er leaps itself
Scene 7
Macbeth is telling Lady Macbeth he doesn’t want to murder Duncan anymore. Another clothes reference
We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people
Scene 7
Lady Macbeth insults Macbeth with another clothes reference, asking if he was drunk when he came up with the idea of he murder, if it was that that gave him his courage (kind of saying he doesn’t have courage when he’s sober)
Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?
Scene 7
Lady Macbeth questions her love for him and his masculinity (2 quotes)
From this time, such I account thy love. Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire?
And
When you durst do it, then you were a man
Scene 7
Macbeth tries to say he is a man, he will do anything to prove he is one but nothing that will prove he isn’t. Quite pitiful considering he’s just trying to prove his masculinity after a battle he won
I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more, is none.
Scene 7
Brutality and Ruthlessness. Killing her own child to gain the power she promised.
I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, and dashed the brains out
Scene 7
Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth if he stays courageous then they won’t possibly fail with killing Duncan.
But screw you courage to the sticking place, an we’ll not fail.
Scene 7
Macbeth is saying that they need to put on a false image to hide what they really want
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
Scene 2
Macbeth is loyal because when Duncan ordered the death of Macdonwald, Macbeth obliged, brutally
Unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops
