Macbeth quote ambition and deception Flashcards
“Stars, hide … finsh
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
“Stars, hide … finsh
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
“Stars, hide … finsh
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
In “Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
how does MacBeth describe his ambition
connotations of ‘black’ and meaning
Macbeth describes his ambition as ‘black and deep’. Adjective ‘black’ has connotations of evil/immorality/wickedness - by Macbeth’s own acknowledgment, this is confirmation of his unnatural ambition.
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
technique in “deep desires”
Plosive alliteration in ‘deep desires’ creates a sinister tone, emulating Macbeth’s sinister thoughts
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
technique and conations + meanings of “black” “light”
Juxtaposition of ‘black’ and ‘light’ (connotations of purity, morality, holiness) create the impression that Macbeth wishes his transgressive desires to be hidden from God
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
what type of word is “star” and what could it be implied
Concrete noun ‘stars’ could symbolise fate (this was a common connection in Jacobean society) - is Macbeth playing with / disrupting his own fate?
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
what type of word is “hide” and what could it be implied
Imperative ‘hide’ suggests authority and power - perhaps Macbeth is commanding God not to watch
“Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
another type of word is “hide” and what could it be implied
Verb ‘hide’ suggests secrecy, transgression, immorality and fear - Macbeth is aware that his actions are immoral and would be judged by society
when is “Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.” said
act 1 scene 4
who says “Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
macbeth
“I have no spur … finsh it
I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other
“I have no spur … finsh it
I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other
“I have no spur … finsh it
I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other
“I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”
technique with “spur” and what it suggests
Metaphor of the ‘spur’ suggests ambition, willingness, motivation, desire and encouragement - Macbeth is aware that he does not have a true motive for killing Duncan
“I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”
what technique is being used with the whole quote and why
Extended metaphor for Macbeth’s ambition. Conjures an image of a rider who has no will to go forward except his desire.
“I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”
technique with ‘vaulting ambition’ and what it suggests
Personification of ‘vaulting ambition’ suggests motivation, liberation and success, creating the impression of overcoming an obstacle (symbolic of Macbeth’s usurpation of the throne)
“I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”
what is this a personification of and what does it suggest
Personification of ambition which then ‘falls’ - suggests failure, defeat and decline
“I have no spur to prick the side of my intent, only vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other”
what is foreshadowed
Foreshadowing - the idea of this ‘fall’ could foreshadow Macbeth’s downfall at the end of the play as his excessive ambition leads to his demise
“Angels will … finish the quote
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
“Angels will … finish the quote
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
“Angels will … finish the quote
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off” who is the quote about
Duncan
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off” when is it said
Act 1 scene 7
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off” who said it
Macbeth
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off” what is being suggested
Macbeth suggests that King Duncan has been so humble and virtuous in his legacy that angels will play trumpets in protest against the injustice of his murder
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
explain the Biblical allusion
Biblical allusion - the idea of angels refers to the Book of Revelation - implying that the murder of King Duncan goes against God, Christianity and the Divine Right of Kings - in murdering Duncan, Macbeth is upsetting the natural order and committing a great sin
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
Verb ‘plead’ suggests
Verb ‘plead’ suggests desperation and helplessness - the angels will be in a state of despair and hopelessness at the death of Duncan
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
Plosive alliteration ‘deep damnation’ creates a
Plosive alliteration ‘deep damnation’ creates a harsh, sinister tone, reflecting the extent of suffering and punishment that Macbeth will face if he commits this crime
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off” Abstract noun ‘damnation’ suggests
Abstract noun ‘damnation’ suggests sin, punishment, condemnation and doom - Macbeth will be punishment in hell for his actions
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
Metaphor ‘trumpet tongued’ suggests
Metaphor ‘trumpet tongued’ suggests a great declaration - the broadcast of the news - perhaps this foreshadows the sense of despair in Macbeth’s castle after the news of Duncan’s death is announced
“Angels will … finish quote
“Angels will plead trumpet tongued against the deep damnation of taking off”
“False face must … finish the quote
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
“False face must … finish the quote
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
“False face must … finish the quote
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know” when was it said
Act 1 scene 7
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
what does Macbeth declares
Macbeth declares that his outwards appearance must hide his inner, treasonous thoughts
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
what does the repetition of ‘false’ emphasises
Repetition of ‘false’ emphasises Macbeth’s duplicity and deception - even though his ‘face’ might appear to be innocent’, his ‘heart’ and therefore his soul / morality is not
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know” what does Alliteration creates
Alliteration creates a sinister tone
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
Modal verb ‘must’ suggests
Modal verb ‘must’ suggests necessity - Macbeth must be careful and almost manipulative in his deception in order to prevent anyone from discovering his guilt
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know”
Verb ‘hide’ suggests
Verb ‘hide’ suggests secrecy and transgression - he is aware that what he is doing is wrong
“Bloody . . . finish the quote
“Bloody business”
when was “Bloody business” said
Act 2 scene 1
“Bloody business” Plosive alliteration creates a
Plosive alliteration creates a sinister tone, reflecting Macbeth’s murderous actions
“Bloody business” what does Euphemism demonstrates
Euphemism demonstrates Macbeth’s inability to take responsibility for his actions - he is unable to articulate aloud what he has done
“Bloody business”
Noun ‘business’ has connotations of
what does it implies
Noun ‘business’ has connotations of duty, responsibility and importance - perhaps Macbeth is allowing himself to believe that it was his ‘duty’ to commit regicide, having had his fate prophesied
“Is this a dagger . . . finish it
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?”
“Is this a dagger . . . finish it
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?”
“Is this a dagger . . . finish it
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?”
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” when is it said
Act 2 scene 1
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” what does it demonstrate
Demonstrates Macbeth’s insecurity - he is questioning his sanity and masculinity
Rhetorical question suggests
Rhetorical question suggests uncertainty and confusion and therefore weakness in comparison to the brave hero that he was before
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?”
Rhetorical question suggests
Rhetorical question suggests uncertainty and confusion and therefore weakness in comparison to the brave hero that he was before
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?”
Concrete noun ‘dagger’ has connotations
Concrete noun ‘dagger’ has connotations of violence and brutality. It is a phallic symbol, representing masculinity. This is significant as Macbeth’s masculinity earlier in the play - symbolised by ‘brandished steel’ - has now diminished into a ‘dagger of the mind’ - a hallucinatory symbol of masculinity
“Amen stuck . . . finish the quote
“Amen stuck in my throat”
“Amen stuck . . . finish the quote
“Amen stuck in my throat”
“Amen stuck . . . finish the quote
“Amen stuck in my throat”
“Amen stuck in my throat”
Act 2 scene 2
“Amen stuck in my throat”
what does the quote demonstrate ( 2 things )
Demonstrates Macbeth’s guilt and immorality (after killing King Duncan)
+
Macbeth’s inability to say ‘amen’ demonstrates his guilt - he has sinned and is now distanced from God
“Amen stuck in my throat” what is Macbeth aware of
Macbeth is aware that by committing regicide he has committed an immoral act and gone against the Divine Right of Kings - thus he has gone against God, nature and the divine natural order.
“Amen stuck in my throat”
’Amen’ suggests
’Amen’ suggests confirmation, support and affirmation of belief in and respect of God. Macbeth’s desire to say ‘amen’ could symbolise his wish for forgiveness from God for an act which is unforgivable
“Amen stuck in my throat” (A2,S2)
Verb ‘stuck’ suggests
Verb ‘stuck’ suggests difficulty and impediment - Macbeth has become inarticulate and desperate
“Will all great Nep . . . finish quote
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
“Will all great Nep . . . finish quote
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
“Will all great Nep . . . finish quote
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Act 2 scene 2
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Demonstrates
Demonstrates Macbeth’s feelings of guilt and regret
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Rhetorical question suggests
Rhetorical question suggests uncertainty and anxiety
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Hyperbole implies
Hyperbole implies the extent of Macbeth’s inner turmoil
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Symbol of ‘blood’ suggests
Symbol of ‘blood’ suggests guilt - this mirrors Lady Macbeth’s obsession with her bloody hands
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
Clean implies
Clean implies purification and innocence - Macbeth wishes to rid himself of his guilt
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
