Themes Flashcards
Through what quote does the character Macbeth present the theme of ambition?
“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition.”
This quote is in Act 1, where Macbeth contemplates whether to murder King Duncan.
Analyse how this quote presents Macbeth’s ambition: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition.”
- Metaphor of “vaulting ambition” suggests recklessness
- Shows that Macbeth’s hamartia is his ambition
- Conveys his willingness to challenge the Great Chain of Being
What is another quote that presents the theme of ambition?
“Life’s but a walking shadow… It is a tale told by an idiot.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “Life’s but a walking shadow… It is a tale told by an idiot.”
Macbeth says this in Act 5, after learning that Lady Macbeth has died. In this meaphor, Macbeth reflects that life is futile without a purpose.
Analyse the quote: “Life’s but a walking shadow… It is a tale told by an idiot.”
- Quote is nihilistic which challenges beliefs of the Christian Jacobean audience
- Metaphor of the futility of life shows that Macbeth underestands the foolishness of his actions
- His suffering invokes pathos (pity) from the audience
In what quote does Lady Macbeth present the theme of ambition?
“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth’s masculinity when they discuss plans for Duncan’s murder.
Analyse how Lady Macbeth’s ambition is shown in the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
- Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth to attain power
- Suggests you need to take risks to be a ‘man’
- There is a reversal of gender roles, which was rare in the Jacobean era
Give a quote where Macbeth presents the theme of the supernatural.
“Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
At this point in the play, Macbeth is convinced that he can only become king by killing Duncan.
Analyse how the theme of the supernatural is shown in the quote: “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
- The imperative “let not” is blasphemous as Macbeth is trying to command nature
- Adjectives “black” and “deep” create a sinister, supernatural atmosphere
- Plea for secrecy shows Macbeth’s willingness to disrupt natural order
What is another quote that presents the theme of the supernatural?
“The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”
Is part of Malcolm’s final soliloquy of the play as he is restored to the throne.
Analyse how the supernatural is displayed in the quote: “The dead butcher and his fiend-like queen.”
- The name “Butcher” is dehumanising, implying no human could have done what Macbeth did
- “Fiend-like queen” exposes Lady Macbeth’s demonic and evil nature like the witches
- Enforces idea that there will be consequences for disrupting nature
What is a quote that directly represents the supernatural?
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
Analyse how the quote presents the supernatural: “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
- Rhyme and repetition replicates incantation
- “Fire” represents the destructive power of supernatural
- Shakespeare presents the supernatural as being negative and feared
In what quote does a prophecy present the theme of appearances vs reality?
“For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
The Witches say to Macbeth that he will not be able to be killed by anyone who was birthed by a woman. However, he is killed by Macduff, since he was born via C-section.
Analyse how the theme of appearances vs reality is shown in the quote: “For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
- Witches present themselves as guiding Macbeth towards greatness
- However, their prophecies are ambiguous and lead to him misunderstanding his fate
- Gives him false sense of security, which leads to his downfall
Give a quote on how Macbeth’s character presents the theme of appearances vs reality.
“Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
Analyse how the quote presents the theme of appearances vs reality: “Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires.”
- At the beginning, he is devoted to King Duncan
- But in his private thoughts, he contemplates regicide and is traitorous
- Macbeth comanding nature, but then disrupting the natural order is ironic
In what quote does Lady Macbeth’s advice present the theme of appearances vs reality?
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it.”
In Act 1, Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth that he has to be treacherous in order to be king.
Analyse how the theme of appearances vs reality is displayed in the quote: “Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath it.”
- The “innocent flower” symbolises a harmless facade, but the “serpent” shows cunning and deceit
- Alludes to the Bible and the fall of man becuase of the devil - which mirrors Macbeth
- Suggests crimes against God always lead to ruin
Give a quote that shows the reversal of gender roles is an example of appearances vs reality.
“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
Analyse how appearances vs reality is conveyed in the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
- Lady Macbeth wields more power than her husband, despite him being a man
- But in the public eye, she is seen as an obedient wife
- Lady Macbeth attacks Macbeth’s masculinity to control him
In what quote does Macbeth present the theme of corruption of nature?
“Macbeth does murder sleep!”
Meaning & context of quote: “Macbeth does murder sleep!”
Macbeth hears a voice crying this out, after he commits regicide.
Analyse how corruption of nature is shown in the quote: “Macbeth does murder sleep!”
- Sleep is a motif for peace, something which Macbeth won’t have
- Inability to sleep is retribution for disrupting the natural order
- Corruption of nature is shown by the instability of Scotland under Macbeth’s rule
Give a quote that shows Lady Macbeth’s corruption of nature.
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
Lady Macbeth is commanding the spirits to remove her femininity.
Analyse the quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
- Imperatives are blasphemous as she trys to command nature
- Shakespeare shows that commanding spirits results in consequences
What is another quote that displays Lady Macbeth’s corruption of nature?
“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
Analyse how corruption of nature is shown in the quote: “When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
- Lady Macbeth wields more power than her husband, despite him being a man
- This goes against the natural order and ends in both of them dying
Give a quote that shows how the surroundings have been affected by the corruption of nature.
“ [Duncan’s horses] eat each other.”
Meaning & context of the quote: “ [Duncan’s horses] eat each other.”
After Duncan’s murder, Duncan’s horses were acting strangely and ate each other.
Analyse how the quote presents the corruption of nature in the play: “[Duncan’s horses] eat each other.”
- Unnatural occurrence shows disruption in nature
- Shows Macbeth becoming King has widespread consequences
