Macbeth Quotes

“Unseamed him from the name to th’ chops” 1:2

Seems like an unnecessary act of violence to kill his enemy/enemy of the country. May foreshadow his later downfall as he seems capable of extreme violence.

“Fair is foul and foul is fair” 1:1

Means: what seems good is evil and what seems evil is good. It shows that the distance between appearance and reality is a common theme in the play. Macbeth repeats the witches words in his opening speech to banquo, this immediately aligns Macbeth with the supernatural as he continues to persue this connection throughout the entire play.

“I will drain him dry as hay”, “shall me tempest-tost”

The sailors wife refused to give the witche chestnuts. In return, the witch repays this with a disproportionate and vengeful punishment that the sailor faces (whom was completely innocent and hadn’t done anything wrong). This wicked and murderous act shows what the witches are capable of very early on in the play and it illustrates how Macbeth descends into wickedness and buchery as the witches were the ones who influenced him. This is also a reference to when James VI and Anne of Denmark were separated because of a storm where the witches were blamed for creating the storm - links to Macbeth the play as a whole.

“can the devil speak true” 1:3, banquo

Throughout the play the witches are seen as a source of untrustworthy demons who are associated with the devil. Duncan is a sainted King, the highest being in Jacobean Scotland as per the Divine Right of King, whereas Macbeth is the devil in the play (the opposition to the good/God), again reminding the audience how he is aligned to the witches.

“come, you spirits” “take my milk for gall”

Lady macbeth willingly invites the supernatural into her body as she wants them to take away her feminine qualities (compassion, kindness and nurture) so that she can be ruthless, coldhearted and indifferent. She is asking the witches to make her wicked, again reinstalling the fact that the witches are cruel, immoral and murderous. Lady Macbeth wants the milk that’s need to sustain life within her to turn to posion as she wants her nature perverted by the spirits of darkness.

“tis unnatural”, “a falcon” “kill’d” by a “mousing hawk” 2:4 (an old man)

This is an unnatural act in nature as the predator lower in the food chain was able to kill an apex predator (something that shouldn’t happen in the natural laws of nature). It shows that the natural has become unnatural and that the outside world has been turned upside down because of the regicide. It’s as though it’s a supernatural event, reflecting the act of regicide to the rest of the world.

“my firm nerves shall never tremble:or be alive again” 3:4 Banquo’s ghost - macbeth says this

This supernatural visitation is a product of Macbeths guilty imagination (manifestations of his own turmoil) as no one else can see this as no one else feels the same magnitude of guilt that Macbeth feels.

“though you untie the winds” “fight against the churches” 4:1, Macbeth seeking the witches out

Macbeth is seeking the witches out, whereas before the witches sought him out. He understands some of their power and realises that they are the opposite of what the Church and Christianity represents. This could also be a reference to King James in 1589 when the storm came upon his ship - Macebth says that the witches can drown and destroy ships.

“instruments of darkness””Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s In deepest consequence” 1:3

This is a cautionary note that is warning Macbeth to not trust the witches implicitly as they have only told truths that will benefit him. Banquo’s skeptical of the witches and understands that the promises they make are trivial and are made to gain their trusts. This is so that they can betray them in “deepest consequence”. Banquo is right about this later on in the play.

“yet I would not sleep”, “restrain in me cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose”

Banquo is frightened of his own thoughts, so much so he can’t sleep (much like how Macbeth can’t sleep after the regicide however the extent of their circumstances shows Macbeths immorality).This suggests a good nature in Banquo as he is not one that wants to be overwhelmed by dark, salicious thoughts.

“In the great hand of god” “ i fight of treasonous malice” 2:3

Banquo is clear about his loyalty to god and the King, showing him taking a stand against evil. It also shows that Banquo’s heart is free as he assists upon his own autonomy and doesn’t wish to carry favour with Macbeth as he doesn’t want to feel obliged to anyone, presenting him as uncorruptable. This shows his intergity , morality and values.

“be the root and father of many king” “set me up in hope?”3:1 soliloquy

After witnessing Macbeth’s prophesies become true (despite suspecting Macbeth for being responsible for the regicide) he realises that his family lineage will benefit from this as they become Kings. Banquo now trusts everything the witches told him. This is dramatic irony as he (1:3) told macbeth not to trust the witches, but now he’s been reduced by the withces. This presents that when ambition comes up, your integrity and morals are vulnerable. If anyone as good as integral can be seduced, why should we condemn and blame Macbeth for being duped and lead astray by the witches.

“his virtues will plead like angels” “the deep damnation of his taking-off”1:7

Duncan’s qualities are admirables. He is a good King that is facing against the deep damnation of his taking off. The evil and wicked act to Kill a King like Duncan is especially immoral, unlike the killing of Macbeth, which would be a good thing. Macbeth understands that he will go to hell, a place of abject terror and suffering.

“Confusion now hath made his masterpiece! Most sacrilegious murder” 2:3 Macduff

The whole world is confused as the King (the one who is head at every food chain and being - Gods deputy on Earth, has divine powers in Jacobean era) has been unjustifiably killed. This is a crime against God, and Macduff understands the King’s divinity, so he understands the profane act of regicide on a deeper level.

“memorise another Golgotha” 1:2

The captain compares Macbeth’s battlefield to the site of Christ’s crucifixion, likening him to a Christ-like saviour for Scotland. This creates the illusion that Macbeth’s heroism is of divine importance as his victory shows a moment of salvation for his country. This also shows the moral complexity of his character as the reference to Golgotha hints to his eventual downfall. Here Macbeth’s violence is validated.

“keep a servant fee’d” “For mine own good, all causes shall give way” 3:4 macbeth

Macbeth has spies in every noble household, displaying his tyrannical and paranoid behaviour as a King presenting how he doesn’t trust any of his subjects. This conveys the idea that he will become ruthless and controlling, stopping at nothing that stands in his way. He thinks that he might as well carry on with his bloody activities, resigning himself futher into bloodshed as hes already covered in so much blood. Macbeth will now act on instinct rather than consideration and thought, making him dangerous and unpredictable.

“bloody daggers” 2:2

His appearance and the presence of blood on the stage conveys the brutality of the murder. The visual representation presents a gruesome scene to the audience. The fact he is using daggers in contrast to “brandished steel” symbolises his brutality.

“Amen stuck in my throat” 2:2

Repetition of 'Amen' shows that Macbeth recognises that he has committed a sin against the Christian God that is completely irredeemable. In the Jacobean times, the act of regicide is synonymous with an act against God as per the Divine Right of King states. Further proving his violent nature as even he understands the gravity of his vioence.

“All great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?” 2:2

Suggests that not only is Macbeth stained by the act of regicide, but nature has also been corrupted by this horrific crime, showing the vastness of the sin and how it will affect the whole country. However, this might foreshadow the bloodshed that will take place throughout Macbeth’s reign and the play. It also shows how he is no longer loyal to the moral and righteous crown or to the Christian God. He doubts his true ambition to become King as he feels immense guilt for the act of regicide.

“the best o’ th’ cutthroats” + “Twenty trenched gashes on his head” 3:4

The fact that he is praising the murderers for being the best at what they are at, further proves his descent into violence and brutality.

“His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls”

A vengeful and senseless killing because he suspects Macduff of betrayal as he didn’t show up to the banquet, not presenting his loyalty to Macbeth.

5:3

At the end, Macbeth’s violence is sustained even though he recognises that he will die at the hand of Macduf

Cyclical structure

The play begins with the beheading of a traitor (Macdonwald) and ends with the beheading of Macbeth, another traitor. This cyclical structure suggests that order has been restored. However, it could be argued that in this context of the gun powder plot, that Shakespeare is hinting at the idea that anybody could become a traitor. Macbeths violence is sustained as his relationships, feelings and motivations for the violence change.

Conclusion

Shakespeare uses dramatic devices to increasingly expose the audience to Macbeth's acts of violence. First, the murder of King Duncan happens offstage, perhaps reflecting his doubt. Then, as he becomes more corrupt as king, the 2 murders happen onstage, first the murder of Banquo, then the most senseless murder of all, the murder of Macduff's family. Increasing our antipathy of how corrupt he has become.

“Brave Macbeth” 1:2

Macbeth is a righteous, loyal and heroic soldier

Macbeth is rewarded for his loyalty with the title "thane of cawdor"

“Distaining fortune” 1:2

As a character, Macbeth is prepared to go against fate, and in this context is used to describe his valour and heroism. Yet, this may foreshadow a character trait within Macbeth, that he is prepared to go against the natural order.

“had I so sworn as you Have done to this”

If Lady Macbeth had made this promise to Macbeth, Macbeth cannot break this promise to Lady Macbeth. She is invoking the most powerful bonds of nature (his loyalty to her) in order to persuade Macbeth to break his bond with Duncan and stay with her.

3:1 plans to kill Banquo

His closest confident and kills him as he is scared of Banquo’s prophesy becoming true.

“Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck” 3:2

Doesn't include her in the plan to kill Banquo, isn't treated as an equal. Previously he called her "my dearest partner of greatness", Macbeth saw her as her equal and she was included in all his plans, she planned the regicide and motivated him. But now he calls her "chuck" suggesting that he is now patronising her and she's no longer his equal. Lady Macbeth sustains her loyalty to Macbeth

Lady Macduff calls her husband a “Traitor” for leaving her and going to England. 4:1

Shakespeare uses this as a structural device. Macbeths acts of betrayal required him to be loyal to his wife, so in order for Macduff to reverse it Macduff has to be disloyal to his wife to be loyal to his country, to reverse the actions of Macbeth. The play then explores the idea of inner desires and feelings in conflict with public duty. This act restores order in the play.

Macduff’s act of loyalty as he beheaded Macbeth because he is loyal to the right crown. “Macbeth slain”

Begins with the beheading of a traitor by a morally righteous man (Macbeth) who is loyal to King. Macbeth is has betrayed the crown, no longer loyal to the valiant and moral side. Ends with the beheading of a traitor (Macbeth) by a man who is loyal to the correct order as an act of loyalty. The play ends with Macbeth who is now a traitor to the idea of the crown, being beheaded by the loyal servant of the rightful King, Macduff. Therefore loyalty and trust are major themes of this play because of the foiling of the gun powder plot.

“No man that’s born of woman Shall e’er have power upon thee” 5:3

Macbeth is now corrupted and is fighting for a side that solely represents him, he has become a tyrant. He is ruling by the supernatural, sickening both his wife and the country with a corrupt disease.

“The queen, my lord, is dead” (seyton) “She should have died hereafter” (Macbeth) 5:3

Heightened by the fact Lady Macbeth was still tending and loyal to Macbeth whilst she was deranged and broken. Enhancing his betrayal since she was loyal and tending to him until her death, and he no longer cared. This also presents how his ambition for power and a tyrannical rule has lead to him feeling no remorse or sadness when he death arrives, again hinting at his soon-to-be downfall.

“Thou shalt be King hereafter” 1:3, 1

Macbeth’s ambition is sparked by the witches in scene 1, act 3. Beforehand, he had never considered the idea of becoming King, this prophesy plants the idea into his mind as a possibility. The certainty implied in “shalt” suggests his destiny is to be King, which Macbeth might interpret as a sign that should pursue this. This also sparks Macbeths desire for power and status as the witches tempt him with it, presenting how much power the witches have over Macbeth.

“Shalt be What thou art promised” 1:5, 2

Lady Macbeth has already decided that Macbeth will be King, no matter the costs. She uses this line to reinforce Macbeth’s ambition as she wants to stiffen his resolve and make him actively pursue the crown as he is hesitant at the beginning. This also reveals Lady Macbeth’s ambition for Macbeth and herself for the uplifted status and power it comes with. She is ambitious for both of them, and this line reflects her determination to achieve those ambitions.

“vaulting ambition” 1:7, 1

When Macbeth uses this phrase, he seems to understand that this is the sole motivator leading him towards the murder of the King and he seems aware that it could lead to his downfall. The “vaulting ambition” is the driving force behind Macbeths actions, it propels him to commit heinous crimes that he may not have considered if not his excessive desire for power.

“When you durst do it, then you were a man” 1:7, 2

Lady Macbeth uses Macbeth’s ambition as leverage to manipulate his sense of masculinity in order to follow his ‘destiny’. She understands that in their society, being a ‘man’ is associated with courage, strength, and the willingness to take decisive action. She twists this, implying that true manhood lies in the ruthless pursuit of ambition.

“Go get some water and wash this filthy witness from your hand”2:2

Lady Macbeth seems indifferent to the act of regicide, compared to Macbeth who is wrecked with all-consuming guilt. It shows how control she is of herself and how confident she is. This is a complete contrast to act 5:1 where Lady Macbeth is plagued why remorse whilst her mind deteriorates.

“desire is got w/o content” 3:2, when Macbeth walks in: “sorriest fancies your companions making”, “whats done is done”

Lady Macbeth is plagued by doubt and remorse, compromised by how she achieved this level of power. She is speaking in rhyming couplets, showing how she is self contained, private, seccretie when she’s alone. However, when Macbeth walks in, she starts speaking in blank verse. This is dramatic irony as she is lying to her husband in the name of protecting him - she is swallowing her distress to save him from his own distress.