Macbeth Flashcards
“F f m h w t f h d k” Deception, Guilt, Duplicity
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
- Fricitive places emphasis
Macbeth understands the necessity of masking his treacherous intentions with a deceitful appearance. This paradoxical statement underscores the theme of duplicity, reflecting the central motif of appearance versus reality that runs throughout the play.
“I i c. B, t s f, i i f h, m f i o t-n” Betrayal, Fate, Murder
“It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out to-night.”
Macbeth speaks these words, resolving to have Banquo killed. The line uses euphemism to mask the murderous intent, reflecting themes of betrayal, fate, and the supernatural’s influence over human life.
“W a g N o w t b c f m h?” Guilt, Consequence, Redemption
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
After murdering Duncan, Macbeth ponders if he can ever be cleansed of his guilt. The hyperbolic imagery of Neptune’s ocean not being sufficient to clean his hands underscores the magnitude of his guilt.
“I t a d I s b m, c, l m c t” Madness, Fate, Guilt
“Is this a dagger I see before me. Come, let me clutch thee”
-Apostrophe (speaking to imaginery object)
Macbeth’s hallucination reveals his psychological turmoil and guilt before Duncan’s murder. The imagined dagger symbolises the actualisation of his murderous thoughts, manifesting his inner conflict and foreshadowing the real act of violence.
“O, o, b c!” Life, Futility, Despair
“Out, out, brief candle!”
The metaphor of life as a ‘brief candle’ reflects Macbeth’s nihilism (rejection of moral principles) and despair. It captures the transient (temporary) nature of life and the futility of his violent pursuit of power.
“W h s t s, n k i” Guilt, Paranoia, Consequences
“We have scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it”
Macbeth’s metaphor for his incomplete victory implies ongoing threats, reflecting his understanding that their actions have not resolved their problems but may have compounded them. This line encapsulates the anxiety and perpetual state of unease that accompanies ill-gotten power, as well as the inevitable consequences of treachery.
“I w n b a o d a b, T B f c t D” Fate, Overconfidence, Irony
“I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane”
This line conveys Macbeth’s overconfidence based on the witches’ prophecy, showcasing his fatalistic view. It’s ironic because the audience knows Birnam Wood will indeed come to Dunsinane, foretelling his downfall through dramatic irony.
“T b t i n/ B t b s t. O f i B/ S d” Power, Fear, Insecurity, Kingship
“To be thus is nothing/But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep”
Macbeth reflects on his insecure kingship, teeling that his position is worthless without safety. His deep-seated fears of Banquo suggest paranoia and foreshadow further violent actions to secure his power.
“S n m! M d m s!” Guilt, Madness, Innocence
“Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep!” This exclamation personifies sleep, which Macbeth has ‘murdered’ by killing Duncan. It implies that Macbeth’s rest will forever be disturbed by his guilt, symbolising innocence and peace that he has destroyed.
“S h y f! L n l s m b a d d” Ambition, Secrecy, Darkness
“Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires”
Macbeth beseeches the stars to conceal the heavens’ light to hide his dark intentions, symbolising his wish for darkness to cover his malicious desires. This personification of the celestial (heavenly) bodies emphasises his need to hide his ambition from both himself and the prying eyes of morality.
