macbeth Flashcards
What do the Witches mean by ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’?
This paradox highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality, where things that seem good may actually be bad, and vice versa. It sets the tone for the play’s moral confusion and foreshadows how Macbeth and other characters struggle to distinguish between good and evil.
What is the significance of Lady Macbeth saying, ‘Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t’?
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to hide his murderous intentions behind a façade of innocence. The serpent symbolizes deceit and evil, referencing the biblical fall of man. This reveals her manipulative nature and the theme of deception.
What does Macbeth mean by ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand’?
This hallucinated dagger represents Macbeth’s inner conflict as he debates murdering Duncan. It symbolizes his growing ambition and guilt, as well as his inability to distinguish between reality and imagination.
Why does Lady Macbeth cry, ‘Out, damned spot! Out, I say!’?
Lady Macbeth’s hallucination of blood on her hands symbolizes her overwhelming guilt. This line contrasts with her earlier confidence and shows how guilt has driven her into madness, reinforcing the play’s theme of consequences.
What does Macbeth mean by ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand’?
Macbeth realizes the magnitude of his crime after killing Duncan. The hyperbole suggests that no amount of water can cleanse his guilt, emphasizing the irreversible stain on his conscience and the theme of responsibility.
What does Lady Macbeth mean by ‘When you durst do it, then you were a man’?
Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth by equating masculinity with violence and ambition. She questions his courage to goad him into action, challenging traditional gender roles and demonstrating the power dynamics in their relationship.
Why does Macbeth say, ‘Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires’?
Macbeth acknowledges his immoral ambition to murder Duncan and take the throne. The imagery of light and darkness reflects the conflict between good and evil, as he chooses to conceal his dark thoughts.
Why does Lady Macbeth say, ‘Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o’ the milk of human kindness’?
Lady Macbeth criticizes Macbeth’s compassion, suggesting it will prevent him from taking ruthless action to fulfill their ambitions. This line emphasizes her determination and ruthlessness while contrasting Macbeth’s initial hesitation.
What does Lady Macbeth mean by ‘What’s done is done’?
Lady Macbeth tries to comfort Macbeth by insisting that Duncan’s murder is in the past and cannot be changed. However, this phrase is repeated later in the play, revealing how guilt lingers despite her attempts to dismiss it.
What does Macbeth mean by ‘I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er’?
Macbeth acknowledges that he has committed so many atrocities that he cannot turn back. The metaphor of wading through blood symbolizes his irreversible descent into violence and moral corruption.
What do the Witches mean by ‘By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes’?
The Witches anticipate Macbeth’s arrival and call him ‘wicked,’ signaling his transformation into a figure of evil. This line also reflects their role as agents of chaos and their power to influence events.
What is the meaning of Macbeth’s line, ‘Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage’?
Macbeth reflects on the meaningless and fleeting nature of life after hearing of Lady Macbeth’s death. The metaphor of life as a ‘poor player’ suggests that ambition and power are ultimately futile, reinforcing his despair.
What is the significance of the Witches saying, ‘All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!’?
The Witches’ prophecy plants the seed of ambition in Macbeth. Their repetition of ‘hail’ mirrors royal language, tempting him to pursue the throne. The ambiguity of their prophecy leaves Macbeth to interpret and act on it, leading to his downfall.
Why does Lady Macbeth say, ‘Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here’?
Lady Macbeth rejects traditional femininity, associating it with weakness, and calls on supernatural forces to make her ruthless. This reflects her ambition and the theme of gender roles, as she wishes to adopt traits typically associated with masculinity.
What does Macbeth mean by ‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day’?
Macbeth expresses his despair and nihilism after Lady Macbeth’s death. The repetition of ‘tomorrow’ emphasizes the monotony and futility of life, while ‘creeps’ conveys a sense of slow decay. It highlights the emptiness of his ambition and the inevitability of death.
