Macbeth 10 Key Quotes Flashcards
‘Brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name”
Ross
Act 1 scene 2
Shows how Macbeth is seen to be well respected since he deserves his title. This contrats Macbeth towards the end where he is seen to be brave by being traitor towards the king
Bravery displays patriarchy - a man character is presented through their bravery = everyone thought Macbeth was perfect as he was brave
Macbeth is brave shown through his act of regicide which people wouldn’t dare to do
“Let no light see my dark and deep desires”
Macbeth
Act 1 scene 4
Light metaphor for God or people
Before meeting Lady Macbeth already has ‘dark and deep desires’ - ‘deep’ displays how his desires are almost a part of him foreshadowing of his hamartia - ‘dark’ shows the power of supernatural influence and the evil/ unholy nature of his desires
Within 1 scene the witches catalyses Macbeth character and fuels his ambition to become king
‘Unsex me here and fill me, from crown to toe, top-full of direst cruelty’
Lady Macbeth
Act 1 scene 5
Lady Macbeth wants her feminime qualities to be reduced
Lady Macbeth is willing to be filled throughout her body by the supernatural in order to shows masculine features
This shows the patriarchy is society as women have to sacrifice a lot to become masculine in order to become powerful
‘When thou durst do it, then you were a man”
Lady Macbeth
Act1 scene 7
Patriarchy can oppress man- Lady Macbeth uses Macbeths viewpoint as a brave/masculine soldier to influence Macbeth to kill Duncan.
Macbeth possibly kills Duncan in order to display his masculinity towards his wife
‘Will all great Neptune’s oceans wash this blood clean from my hands
Macbeth
Act 2 scene 2
Macbeth feel guilt from his acts of murder. This contrats his emotionless character at the end of the play as he begins to murder more characters- Macbeth no longer feels guilt as he kill more people (murder almost becomess part of him)
Blood on his hands symbolises how he is carrying his guilt everywhere
This quote links to act 5 scene 1. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to get over his guilt however later on is displayed to show extreme guilt
“Out,out,brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow”
Macbeth
Act 5 scene 2
“Brief candle” metaphor for life and its fleeting nature
Macbeth is constantly trying to catch his ‘shadow’ (ambitions) - Macbeth questions his ambition contemplates if his acts for his ambition was worth it
Macbeth’s ‘candle’ (life) is blown by Macduff (kills him).
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it’
Lady Macbeth
Act 1 scene 5
Showcases duality of human nature of Lady Macbeth and her influence of it onto Macbeth
“Full of scorpions is my mind”
Macbeth
Act 2 scene 3
This quote foreshadows his downfall of Macbeth (loses his mind/emotion) - actions in act 3/4/5 is influenced by his power/hunger
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
The Witches
Act 1 scene 1
What you expect happens doesn’t happen (flipped).
“Brave”/”noble” Macbeth turns into a “tyrant” - Lady Macbeth turns from confident and beautifull to a broken mess in the end
The witches flip the play.this configures what the auidence knows to be true
“Instruments of darkness tell us truths … to betray us In deepest consequences”
Banquo
Act 1 scene 3
“Instruments”- Banquo attempting to tell Macbeth that the witches are trying to play him (trick him) - “darkness” foreshadows someone terrible is about to happen
Banquo telling Macbeth how the witchesare attempting to draw Macbeth in through prophecies however later on will betray Macbeth. This is shown through the witches false prophecies in the future leading to his eventual downfall (death/hamartia)
