Macbeth Key Quotes Flashcards
Act 2 – Scene 1 “Brave Macbeth – Well he deserves that name” - Ross
What does this show?
Shows how Macbeth was considered a high regard due to his dedication.
Act 1 Scene 4 - “Let not light see my dark and deep desires”
What does this show?
This shows duplicitous as “light” could mean god which means that and “dark and deep desires” shows he’s planning to kill Duncan this is saying let god not see his dark thoughts.
Act 5 – Scene 1 - “Unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top full of divine cruelty” - Lady Macbeth
What does this show?
She is saying here asking to remove her feminine qualities and have more qualities of the man as at that time woman qualities were considered kind beautiful however man qualities were to be brave, cruel, feel no emotion.
Act 1 Scene 7- “When thou durst to do it, then you were a man” - Lady Macbeth
What does this show?
Shows the patriarchal expectations towards men, they were expected to be courageous and brave, especially towards their wives. Lady Macbeth uses that when Macbeth has second thoughts, to spur Macbeth to kill Duncan.
Act 2 Scene 2- “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand” - Macbeth
shows that Macbeth feels guilt and can contrast to Lady Macbeth when she says “All perfumes of Arabia cannot sweeten this little hand”
Act 5- Scene 2 “Out out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow”
What does this show?
Shadow can represent many things, Power, Ambition. “Candle” Is a metaphor for Macbeth’s Life, showing he has a sign of regret. He considers his mortality. He is questioning if all was worth it killing Duncan, and Banquo.
Act 2 Scene 5- “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”
What does this show?
She is telling Macbeth to be duplicitous, two faced.
Act 2- Scene 3 - “Full of Scorpions is my mind”.
What does this show?
This quote could foreshadow that eventually he loses his mind and the downfall of Macbeth, Scorpions eating away at his mind, Scorpions meaning his desire for power.
Act 1 Scene 1 – “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” - The Witches
What does this show?
Hows the power of the supernatural, as they are subverting the natural order. Good is bad, bad is good everything is flipped upside down.
Act 1 – Scene 3 - “The instruments of darkness tells us truths; win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence” - Banquo
What does this show?
Foreshadowing evil, saying that they will tell you truths however those truths will mislead you to your downfall. Juxtaposition – Between evils and truths.
Act 1 Scene 3 - “Can the devil speak truth?” - Banquo
What does this show?
This quote happens after the witches read out there prophecies and Macbeth gets Thane of Cawdor like the witches said.
The “?” is a rhetorical question showing that although they are telling the truth Banquo does not trust their intent.
This contrasts to Macbeth where the seeds of ambition are already planted into his mind.
Relates to the theme of the Supernatural.
Banquo reflects the Jackobeans distrust of the supernatural / the witches.
Act 1 Scene 3 - “The instruments of darkness tell us truths” - Banquo
What does this show?
This quote is talking to Macbeth telling him to not sway to what the Witches say. The metaphor “Instruments of darkness” means instruments of evil and they will use there truths in their prophecies to mislead Macbeth.
Relates to the theme of the Supernatural and Reality and appearance as Banquo doesn’t trust their appearances as they are still agents of chaos.
Like people of the time Banquo was superstitious about the witches.
Act 2 Scene 1 - “In heaven their candles are all out” - Banquo
What does this show
Says this during night time while patrolling the castle.
We can see that Banquo recognises supernatural elements such as the weird weather.
hyperbole “candles are all out” shows he recognises something is off.
Relates to the theme of the supernatural as Macbeth is about to kill the King and something bad is about to happen.
This is a example of when the Divine rights of Kings is violated the natural order is broken.
Act 3 Scene 1-“I fear thous play’dst most foully for it” - Banquo
What does this show?
Banquo is a foil to Macbeth
“foully for it” voices the Witches
Shows Banquo has suspicion that Macbeth killed the king.
Relates to ambition as Banquo is shocked that Macbeth has enough ambition to kill the king.
Relates to Reality and appearance, He is starting to wonder if Macbeth is two faced, Macbeth is acting like he is upset about the kings death, but possibly it was orchestrated.
Act 2 Scene 1- “take my sword” - Banquo
What does this show?
He asks Fleance to take his sword which possibly means he cant trust himself with it as he is having evil thoughts like Macbeth indicating Banquo also has ambition.
He also admits that he has been dreaming about the witches “I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters” possibly showing his ambition
Act 2 Scene 3 - “Most sacreligious murder” - Macduff
What does this show?
Uses alliteration to emphasises that someone could possibly kill the king. His reaction shows he is loyal to the king.
In contrast to Macbeth, Macduff lacks ambition.
Act 4 Scene 3 - “O nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant” - Macduff
What does this show?
This quote is when Macduff is talking to Malcolm.
He uses personification to show that Scotland is crushed under the weight of the wrong king / ruined by the wrong king showing his loyalty to Duncan.
This can also be linked to the Great chain of being, as if it is the wrongful king not chosen by God its country will be in ruin.
Act 4 Scene 3- “All my chickens and their dam in one fell swoop?” - Macduff
What does this show?
He is talking about Macbeth killing his whole family.
He describes his family as chickens emphasising how vulnerable they are and the person who would kill them are evil.
Relates to ambition as it shows how corrupt and evil Macbeth is due to his ambition.
Act 5 Scene 8 - From his mothers womb “Untimely ripped”
What does this show?
This means Macduff was taken out of the C section indicating this is where Macbeth is about to die / can die. As Macduff was not born of woman.
Macduff is the key to restoring natural order.
Relates to the theme of supernatural as Macbeth now realises that the Supernatural has misled them.
Act 5 Scene 8 - From his mothers womb “Untimely ripped”
What does this show?
This means Macduff was taken out of the C section indicating this is where Macbeth is about to die / can die. As Macduff was not born of woman.
Macduff is the key to restoring natural order.
Relates to the theme of supernatural as Macbeth now realises that the Supernatural has misled them.
Act 1 “Unseamed him from the nave to the chaps” - Macbeth
What does this show
“Unseamed” is a verb and a metaphor that gives us the impression that on the battlefield Macbeth is extremely precise.
“nave to the chaps” - unseamed from belly to the chin
Also implies he enjoys that he kills people as he is on purpose is inflicting pain on the enemy as he is causing them to die a slow death.
Shows that Macbeth is a ideal patriarchal view of a man.
Act 5 - “Life is but a walking shadow” - Macbeth
What does this show
Happens when Macbeth is told Lady Macbeth is dead.
Quote is a metaphor.
As we are alive we are always chasing something in life.
Macbeth at first wanted to be king, after he was king he decided he wanted to be king for a long time. However now Macbeth understands that it has now been a waste of time.
“Shadow” means hes just been chasing something that he will never reach. Showing Macbeth understands his addiction to power. Showing he feels regret.
You can use this to show the dangers of the supernatural as Macbeth has realised hes been played.
Act 5 - “Brief candle” - Macbeth
What does this show?
Quote is a metaphor
Candle is referring to human life. Every death has been the result of human. This shows Macbeth understands the nature of his crimes.
But also shows he understands the fragility of life. Life is short. Showing for the small time Macbeth feels regret.
This quote can also go against patriarchy as the expectations of men arent meant to feel regret or guilt however Macbeth feels regret.
Act 2- “Heat appressed brain” - Macbeth
What does this show?
Appressed - Trapped
Brain means thinking
Heat in this quote means to mould and to change.
His brain is being controlled by the Witches and Lady Macbeth.
Can be used in the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
