Macbeth: Exhaustive Study Guide of Key Quotes and Themes

“Vaulting ambition…" (Macbeth, Act 1 Soliloquy)

which o’erleaps itself.” Metaphor: Illustrates the dangers of overreaching ambition.

• Analysis: Macbeth knows killing Duncan has severe consequences, but his overambition pushes him to take this risk.

• Downfall: “O'erleaps itself” means his ambition goes beyond what he can handle, foreshadowing his eventual downfall and death.

“Come you spirits … (Lady Macbeth, Act 1)

unsex me here”

Metaphor: Illustrates how she wants the spirits to rid her of her femininity, which she associates with weakness due to natural motherly instincts.

• Imperative: Emphasises how ambition has begun to change her behaviour, as ordinarily a woman would not be this demanding.

• Theme: Shows how ambition corrupts the characters who embrace it.

“Fair is foul…(The Witches, Act 1 Scene 1)

and foul is fair.” Oxymoronic: The alliteration is purposefully used to confuse the audience about the true meaning.

• Supernatural: Highlights how the supernatural should not be trusted, establishing the witches as agents of chaos.

• Deception: “Foul is fair” highlights the witches' love for evil things and their aim to deceive others into committing evil acts.

“Never shake…(Macbeth, Act 3)

thy gory locks at me.” Analysis: Refers to Banquo’s hair shaking in a silent, accusing manner, highlighting Macbeth's guilt.

• “At me”: Highlights the fear and terror Macbeth feels, showing he is clearly under the control of the supernatural.

• Theme: Shows those controlled by ambition never consider long-term consequences like guilt; once it controls you, it can easily do it again (leading him to kill his friend).

“Out damned spot!…(Lady Macbeth, Act 5)

Out I say!” Symbolic: The “spot” is symbolic of the guilt she feels for the murder of Duncan.

• Repetition: The repetition of “out” shows how frantic she is to rid herself of this guilt, which will torment her forever.

• Contrast: Perfect contrast to “A little water clears us of this deed,” showing she now understands guilt lives on within her mind no matter what.

“The instruments of darkness…(Banquo, Act 1)

which tell us truths before betraying” Foil: Shows how Banquo is a contrast to Macbeth’s character and shows the audience how to react to temptation.

• Metaphor: “Instruments of darkness” describes the witches as agents of chaos; they have no real power and just serve the forces of evil/destiny.

• Oxymoronic: “Tell us truths before betraying” highlights how they feed him the complete truth at first, then bend it to lead him to his downfall.

“A most…(Macduff, Act 2)”

sacrilegious murder” Devices: Biblical allusion + hyperbole.

• Theme: Ties into the supernatural and divine right of Kings, showing Macduff believes the killing of King Duncan is unthinkable and a sin against God.

““No art to find the…(King Duncan, Act 1)

mind’s construction in the face” Metaphor: It is impossible to judge a person’s true thoughts, intentions, or morality simply by looking at their outward appearance.

• Dramatic Irony: Said about the ex-Thane of Cawdor, right before Duncan is betrayed again by the Macbeths.

• Personification: Comparing thoughts to a complex building gives them physical form, showing that once deceit enters the mind, it manifests into our character.Metaphor: It is impossible to judge a person’s true thoughts, intentions, or morality simply by looking at their outward appearance.

• Dramatic Irony: Said about the ex-Thane of Cawdor, right before Duncan is betrayed again by the Macbeths.

• Personification: Comparing thoughts to a complex building gives them physical form, showing that once deceit enters the mind, it manifests into our character.

“When you durst do it,…(Lady Macbeth, Act 1)

• Manipulation: Uses imperatives and the alliteration “durst do it” to force Macbeth to bend to her will.

• Tactics: Weaponizes Macbeth’s masculinity and desire to prove himself against him, making the killing an ultimatum to prove he is a man.

• Gender Roles: Subverts traditional gender roles, as Lady Macbeth is the one ordering Macbeth around.

“Be these juggling…(Macbeth, Act 5)

no more believed.”Metaphor: “Juggling fiends” illustrates the witches' deceiving behaviour, reducing them to mere tricksters and illusionists.

• Realization: Macbeth finally realizes his decisions were a result of both the supernatural and hamartia (his fatal flaw).

• Moral: Tells the audience you should not engage in the supernatural, nor allow your ambition to lead you to doing what is morally wrong.