Macbeth Flashcards
What can be inferred from the following quote:
why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image does unfix my hair?
Macbeths first thought is one of murder. The adjective ‘horrid’ suggests that Macbeth knows murdering Duncan to achieve his ambition is morally wrong. The verb ‘unfix’ suggests that the strength of his ambition terrifies him
What can be inferred from the following quote:
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition.
Macbeths ambition Is in conflict with his conscience. He knows he has no motive for killing a morally good king.
Because of DRK. Macbeth knows killing a king is an act against God. The play was performed after the Gunpowder Plot -Shakespeare sends a warning to those who might seek to murder a morally good king, like James 1.
What can be inferred from the following quote:
‘stars hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires’
The adjectives ‘black’ and ‘deep’ suggest Macbeth knows his murderous ambition is morally wrong but also very strong. The stars symbolize the light of heaven – he does not want God to see what he is planning to do, but he is going to commit the murder anyway
What can be inferred from the following quote :
‘a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more’
The extended metaphor of people as actors and life as a stage. Macbeth realises that, in the wider scheme of things, he is just a ‘poor player’ with a limited amount of time on Earth and once he is dead, he will be forgotten. All his ambition has been for nothing and he has damned him soul to Hell
What can be inferred from the following quote:
‘too full o’th milk of human kindness’
Lady Macbeth feminizes Macbeth because she knows he is ambitious but too kind to act upon achieving his ambitions off the battlefield. She realizes that she will need to manipulate him into murdering King Duncan
