Macbeth Key Quotes

Question 1

Act 1 scene 1

Answer 1

‘Fair is foul and foul is fair’- paradox repeated later by Macbeth despite the witches ugly appearance what the witches offer Macbeth is fair (appearance vs reality). Macbeth is also thought of to be fair ‘noble’ however is later on thought as ‘foul’ (tyrant)

‘Hail! Hail! Hail!’ epizeuxis witches shown to be the unhoky trinity which is shocking to the Jacobean audience

Act 1 scene 1’ In thunder, lightning and in rain’ pathetic fallacy used which highlight the danger of the witches. Additionally, the witches are seen to foreshadow the play ‘shown by thunder’ which symbolises the prophecies made the ‘Lightning’ symbolises the rare act of killing Ducnan caused by ‘thunder’ (prophecies) and the fall of the ‘rain’ is the affect of killing the king/prophecies (downfall of Scotland and characters). Foreshadows how evil will affect all.

Question 2

Act 1 scene 3

Answer 2

‘Cannot be ill, cannot be good’- We can see Macbeth’s moral compass. The supernatural cannot be eight and truthful. This is a paradox shows Macbeths inner conflict

Question 3

Ac1 scene 5

Answer 3

‘Is it to full of the milk of human kindness’- LM knows Macbeth is too honourable to murder Duncan.

‘Unsex me here take my milk for gall’-LM challenges patriarchal view of society wants to become a mean to be more powerful however she can’t. She challenges Macbeths masculinity instead

‘Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it’- (appearance vs reality) biblical reference could represent LM as Eve who encourages Adam (Macbeth) to act against God (killing Duncan)

Question 4

Act 2 scene 1

Answer 4

‘Is this a dagger which I see before me’- supernatural forces driving him to kill Duncan. This could also show Macbeth’s unchecked ambiton taking over to commit regicide

Question 5

Act 2 scene 4

Answer 5

’ I am blood stepped in so far… retruning were as tedious as to go over’- Perpetei in play Macbeth can no longer return. This show shis downfall as tragic protagonist. ‘Blood’ is a metaphor for the guilt he feels and how he can’t return back to normal

Question 6

Act 5 scene 1

Answer 6

’ out dammed spot out I say’- imperative verbs signifying power although she is driven to insanity. The ‘spot’ is blood she sees this is ironic as with Macbeth she believes that ‘little water will clear us of this deed’

Question 7

Act 5 scene 5

Answer 7

‘Life but a walking shadow”-‘shadow’ is an abstinence of light and are dark. This shows Macbeths views on the pointlessness of life (lacks his ambition) since his ‘spur’ is gone

Question 8

Act 1 scene 4

Answer 8

Macbeth:” Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires”-rhyming couplets like witches shows the supernatural power influence on Macbeth’s ambition. Additionally, recognises his wrongdoings (has morality)

Question 9

Act 3 scene 2

Answer 9

Macbeth:’oh full of scorpions in my mind’- animal imagery (scorpions seen to carry toxic) shows the long term suffering and guilt he feels demonstarting his decline as a tragic protagonist. His ‘mind’ shows that his conscience is being attacked (morality)

Question 10

Act 3 scene 4

Answer 10

‘Never shake thy gory locks at me’- adjective ‘gory’ sounds painful shows the guilt Macbeth feels from being involved to kill the descendant of many future kings

Question 11

Act 3 scene 5

Answer 11

‘Blood will have blood’- Macbeth rferedning that violence seeks more blood and revenge (inevitability of violence)