Macbeth Key Quotes

Question 1

Act 2 – Scene 1 “Brave Macbeth – Well he deserves that name” - Ross

What does this show?

Answer 1

Shows how Macbeth was considered a high regard due to his dedication.

Question 2

Act 1 Scene 4 - “Let not light see my dark and deep desires”

What does this show?

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

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?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Act 1 Scene 7- “When thou durst to do it, then you were a man” - Lady Macbeth

What does this show?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Act 2 Scene 2- “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand” - Macbeth

Answer 5

shows that Macbeth feels guilt and can contrast to Lady Macbeth when she says “All perfumes of Arabia cannot sweeten this little hand”

Question 6

Act 5- Scene 2 “Out out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow”

What does this show?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Act 2 Scene 5- “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”

What does this show?

Answer 7

She is telling Macbeth to be duplicitous, two faced.

Question 8

Act 2- Scene 3 - “Full of Scorpions is my mind”.

What does this show?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Act 1 Scene 1 – “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” - The Witches

What does this show?

Answer 9

Hows the power of the supernatural, as they are subverting the natural order. Good is bad, bad is good everything is flipped upside down.

Question 10

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?

Answer 10

Foreshadowing evil, saying that they will tell you truths however those truths will mislead you to your downfall. Juxtaposition – Between evils and truths.

Question 11

Act 1 Scene 3 - “Can the devil speak truth?” - Banquo

What does this show?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Act 1 Scene 3 - “The instruments of darkness tell us truths” - Banquo

What does this show?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Act 2 Scene 1 - “In heaven their candles are all out” - Banquo

What does this show

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Act 3 Scene 1-“I fear thous play’dst most foully for it” - Banquo

What does this show?

Banquo is a foil to Macbeth

Answer 14

“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.

Question 15

Act 2 Scene 1- “take my sword” - Banquo

What does this show?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Act 2 Scene 3 - “Most sacreligious murder” - Macduff

What does this show?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Act 4 Scene 3 - “O nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant” - Macduff

What does this show?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Act 4 Scene 3- “All my chickens and their dam in one fell swoop?” - Macduff

What does this show?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Act 5 Scene 8 - From his mothers womb “Untimely ripped”

What does this show?

Answer 19

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.

Question 19

Act 5 Scene 8 - From his mothers womb “Untimely ripped”

What does this show?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Act 1 “Unseamed him from the nave to the chaps” - Macbeth

What does this show

Answer 20

“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.

Question 21

Act 5 - “Life is but a walking shadow” - Macbeth

What does this show

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Act 5 - “Brief candle” - Macbeth

What does this show?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Act 2- “Heat appressed brain” - Macbeth

What does this show?

Answer 23

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.