Key Quotes for ACT 1

Question 1

‘fair is ___, and foul is fair’

Answer 1

‘foul’

paradox (opposites)

Macbeth kills for good of the King but later he kills the King

This shows the witches’ sinister nature and power of the supernatural

Question 2

‘He ___ him from the nave to th’ chops’

Answer 2

‘unseamed’

graphical imagery

Macduff delivers the same fate to Macbeth

Macbeth is presented as a hero from the start

Question 3

‘Stay, you ___ speakers. Tell me more.’

Answer 3

‘imperfect’

imperative verbs

desperation of Macbeth to engage in supernatural

Question 4

‘Whose horrid ___ doth unfix my hair’

Answer 4

‘image’

metaphorical image

doesn’t say what Macbeth is thinking but we know it’s wrong (killing Duncan is the only way for him to become King)

Macbeth’s dark intentions are unnatural and immoral

Question 5

‘let us speak our free ___ to each other’

Answer 5

‘hearts’

Macbeth and Banquo avoid speaking about the witches

this is ironic as Macbeth is haunted by evil thoughts

Question 6

‘Stars, hide your ___ ; Let not light see my black and deep ___.’

Answer 6

‘fires’ ‘desires’

‘Stars’ could be interpreted as Heaven

Macbeth wants to hide from God and stay away from Hell

Macbeth has evil and dark intentions

Question 7

‘fill me from crown to the toe, top full of ___ cruelty!’

Answer 7

‘direst’

shocking for a Jacobean audience

Lady Macbeth wants to be rid of her femininity and have the strength to kill