Quotes From Macbeth

Question 1

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” — Act 1, Scene 1
(The witches introduce the theme of paradox and the inversion of good and evil.)
“Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage.” — Act 5, Scene 5
(Macbeth reflects on the futility of life.)
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” — Act 2, Scene 1
(Macbeth contemplates the dagger he imagines leading him toward Duncan’s murder.)
“What’s done is done.” — Act 3, Scene 2
(Lady Macbeth speaks to Macbeth after King Duncan’s murder.)
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.” — Act 1, Scene 7
(Macbeth acknowledges the dangerous power of his ambition.)
“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” — Act 1, Scene 5
(Touching on self-awareness and wisdom.)
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe topful of direst cruelty!” — Act 1, Scene 5
(Lady Macbeth calls on supernatural forces to help her carry out her ruthless plans.)
“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” — Act 1, Scene 3
(The witches greet Macbeth with prophecies that begin his tragic rise.)
“Out, damned spot! out, I say!” — Act 5, Scene 1
(Lady Macbeth’s guilt manifests as she imagines blood on her hands.)
“Blood will have blood.” — Act 3, Scene 4
(Macbeth realizes that the violence he has caused will lead to more bloodshed.)
“Thane of Cawdor! If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair?” — Act 1, Scene 3
(Macbeth is torn by the idea of murdering Duncan to become king.)
“We are yet but young in deed.” — Act 3, Scene 4
(Macbeth reflects that their violent actions have only just begun.)
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” — Act 1, Scene 5
(Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to appear innocent while hiding his true intentions.)
“To be thus is nothing; but to be safely thus.” — Act 3, Scene 1
(Macbeth fears for his throne and desires to secure his position.)
“The night has been unruly: where we lay, our chimneys were blown down, and as they say, lamentings heard i’ the air, strange screams of death, and prophesying with accents terrible of dire combustion and confused events.” — Act 2, Scene 3
(Ross speaks about the unnatural events that signal Macbeth’s crime.)
“Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” — Act 5, Scene 1
(Lady Macbeth reflects on her guilt.)
“My hands are of your color; but I shame to wear a heart so white.” — Act 2, Scene 2
(Lady Macbeth rebukes Macbeth, telling him he is too fearful to act decisively.)
“Thou canst not say I did it: never shake thy gory locks at me.” — Act 3, Scene 4
(Macbeth speaks to Banquo’s ghost, feeling guilt for his actions.)
“What’s the matter, you do see things; but you say nothing?” — Act 5, Scene 1
(Lady Macbeth, sleepwalking, reveals her guilt through her actions.)
“Macbeth does murder sleep.” — Act 2, Scene 2
(In his guilt, Macbeth reflects that his crime will prevent him from ever finding peace again.)