Macbeth quotes for themes/symbolism

Question 1

quote presents Macbeth as a violent character

Answer 1

‘which smoked with bloody execution,Like valour’s minion carved out his passage’ -Act one scene 2. Quote suggests how Macbeth is a ruthless blood thirsty fighter and is willing to go to extreme extents when fighting.Use of graphic imagery suggests how merciless Macbeth is-foreshadows Macbeth later in the play when he kills king Duncan-simile suggests how brutal he is when killing his victims as he ‘calves’ them

Question 2

quote for Macbeth is presented as a violent character

Answer 2

Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.” Act 1, Scene 4.-suggests Macbeth’s dark intentions of killing the king this shows how cautious he is as a character due to this he has to act noble and show kingship

Question 3

quote presents Macbeth as a violent character

Answer 3

‘Is this a dagger which I see before me’- Macbeth questions the reality of the dagger he sees before him. He wonders if it’s a tangible object or a product of his troubled mind. The dagger appears to be leading him, its handle pointing towards his hand, urging him to take it. He contemplates whether this vision is merely a creation of his feverish imagination

Question 4

Quote for how lady Macbeth is presented as a strong character

Answer 4

Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts! Unsex me here” (Act 1 Scene 5)-

Question 5

Lady Macbeth quote

Answer 5

Come to my woman’s breasts, and take my milk for gall (Act 1, Scene 5)- The noun ‘milk’ may symbolise Macbeth’s personality before Lady Macbeth interfered and manipulated him into killing Duncan. Furthermore, milk has connotations of purity, morality and virtue - the complete opposite of what Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to do which is to murder Duncan.