Macbeth key quotes + analysis Flashcards
“Fair is foul and foul is fair”
The Witches: Scene 1, Act 1.
Not everything is how it seems, appearances can be deceiving e.g. Macbeth.
“Brave Macbeth - Well he deserves that name”
Ross: Scene 2, Act 1
Shows Macbeth as being so loyal to Duncan after battle that his downfall into evil is made more obvious, showing his start to acts of evil.
“Stars hide your fires; let not light see my dark and deep desires”
Macbeth: Scene 4, Act 1
Contrast between light and dark/ good and evil. Macbeth is aware that his anger and jealousy after Malcolm is named heir to the throne is wrong.
“Come you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts. Unsex me here”
Lady Macbeth: Scene 5, Act 1
During her soliloquy, asking the spirits to strip her of femininity and replace with masculinity in order to kill Duncan if Macbeth can’t. Shows her manipulation of him and how she feels the need to compensate for the masculinity he lacks.
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand”
Macbeth: Scene 2, Act 2
Blood as a metaphor for guilt Macbeth is guilty after killing Duncan. He feels that even if he washed his hands in the ocean they would not be clean, as because of the amount of blood on his hands he is more likely to make the ocean turn red. needs to ask a god like “neptune” to clean him of his sins
“Look the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t”
Lady Macbeth: Scene 5, Act 1
Telling Macbeth that in order to not be suspected of murdering Duncan, he must make sure that he acts in a very specific way. Also shows deception of people.
“Yet do I fear thy nature;/It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.”
Lady Macbeth: Scene 5, Act 1
She fears that he does not have to the stomach to take the throne. Ironic as Lady Macbeth should be full of maternal milk for a child which she doesn’t have. Presents Macbeth as feminine.
“If you can look into the seeds of time,/And say which grain will grow and which will not.”
the seeds of time,/And say which grain will grow and which will not.”
Banquo: Scene 3, Act 1
Banquo’s future will be dependent on his sons. His ancestral tree will branch out beyond the capabilities of a small seed.
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”
The Witches: Scene 1, Act 4
One line of a couplet. Macbeth is approaching. He is not just a thing, but something wicked, coming this way. No longer a person
“Out, damned spot! out, I say!”
Lady Macbeth: Scene 1, Act 5
The ‘spot’ she is talking about is the imaginary blood she sees on her hands from the murders and other crimes she and her husband have been involved in. Figuratively stained hands.
“Sleep no more. Macbeth does murder sleep.”
Macbeth: Scene 2, Act 2
Macbeth has now killed his peace, and will be forever in his state of guilt. ‘Murder’ indicates not only was the action intentional, but it was done brutally and with violence.
“The Dead Butcher and His Fiend-Like Queen”
Malcolm: Scene 11, Act 5
Last description of the Macbeths in the play. Sums up the general hatred for them. ‘Butcher’ implies he is a ruthless and remorseless killer. ‘Fiend-like’ dehumanises. Reminds of Macbeth’s fall from grace.
“Full of scorpions is my mind”
Macbeth: Scene 3, Act 2
shows the audience that Macbeth’s mind is no longer sane and that killing Duncan has affected him mentally.Macbeth uses a metaphor to explain that his guilty conscience.
“Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself”
Macbeth: Scene 7, Act 1
He wonders what his motivation is. He recognises that his ambition is his fatal flaw (tragic hero trajectory). Overleaping of hierachy in the Great Chain of Human Being.
“There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody.”
Donalbain: Scene 3, Act 2
Donalbain is saying that he and his brother Malcolm are not safe if they stay where they are. Men who smile at them are actually concealing daggers, wanting their blood- mostly their relatives.
