Macbeth Quotes

Question 1

What does Macbeth mean when he says, ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me?’

Answer 1

He is contemplating the murder of King Duncan and questioning his sanity.

Question 2

True or False: Lady Macbeth famously says, ‘Out, out, brief candle!’

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Complete the quote: ‘Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron ____.’

Answer 3

bubble

Question 4

Who says, ‘All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!’?

Answer 4

The Witches

Question 5

What does Macbeth mean by ‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’?

Answer 5

He reflects on the meaningless passage of time and life.

Question 6

Identify the speaker: ‘Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.’

Answer 6

Lady Macbeth

Question 7

What is the significance of the quote ‘What’s done is done’?

Answer 7

It signifies acceptance of their actions and the irreversible consequences.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: ‘The milk of human kindness’ refers to ____.

Answer 8

compassion

Question 9

True or False: ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ suggests a theme of appearance versus reality.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What does Macbeth mean when he says, ‘I am in blood stepp’d in so far’?

Answer 10

He feels trapped in his violent actions and cannot turn back.

Question 11

Complete the quote: ‘Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking ____.’

Answer 11

shadow

Question 12

Who says, ‘I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition’?

Answer 12

Macbeth

Question 13

What does Lady Macbeth mean by ‘Unsex me here’?

Answer 13

She wants to shed her femininity to gain the ruthlessness needed for murder.

Question 14

Identify the speaker: ‘The thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?’

Answer 14

Macbeth

Question 15

True or False: ‘The king-becoming graces’ refers to qualities that make a good ruler.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What does the quote ‘Something wicked this way comes’ refer to?

Answer 16

It refers to Macbeth as he has become evil.

Question 17

Complete the quote: ‘When you durst do it, then you were a man; and, if you will not, you shall be ____.’

Answer 17

so much more the man

Question 18

What does Banquo mean when he says, ‘There’s husbandry in heaven’?

Answer 18

He is commenting on the lack of stars, indicating a dark night.

Question 19

Who is referred to as ‘the bloody business’?

Answer 19

The act of murdering Duncan

Question 20

True or False: ‘I am Thane of Cawdor’ indicates Macbeth’s rise to power.

Answer 20

True

Question 21

What does the quote ‘Life’s but a walking shadow’ suggest?

Answer 21

It suggests that life is fleeting and insubstantial.

Question 22

Complete the quote: ‘I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to ____.’

Answer 22

one of woman born

Question 23

Who says, ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks’?

Answer 23

Queen Gertrude (though this is from Hamlet, it is often misattributed to Macbeth contextually.)

Question 24

What does Macbeth mean by ‘I will not yield’?

Answer 24

He refuses to give up or surrender, despite the odds against him.