Macbeth

Act 3, Scene 1 - Macbeth

To be thus is nothing; / but to be safely thus

To be thus is nothing; / But to be safely thus

This is a paradox, thus means kingship and Macbeth is saying it means nothing. Showing how the fruitless crown does not bring peace but pushes him to keep kill (Banquo)

Act 1, Scene 7 - Macbeth

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself / And falls on th’other

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself / And falls on th’other

In Macbeths soliloquy, he is reflecting his internal struggle with ambition. The use of extended metaphor comparing it to an overly eager horse rider that leaps too high and falls over the other side shows and ambition without restraint leads to self destruction

Act 1, Scene 4 - Macbeth

Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires

Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires

This symbolism of light and dark, and personification of his desires (black and deep) show his degree of self awareness about his ambition

Act 1, Scene 3 - The Witches

All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor! All hail Macbeth, hail to thee that shalt be king hereafter!

All hail Macbeth, hail to thee Thane of Cawdor! All hail Macbeth, hail to thee that shalt be king hereafter!

The repetition of all hail shows dramatic irony and title progression, pushing Macbeth to be convinced he is capable

Act 5, Scene 1 - Lady Macbeth

Out, damned spot! Out I say! All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand

Out, damned spot! Out I say! All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand

The hyperbole of the word out shows her slow progression into madness and self destruction due to guilt. There is also imagery of blood/staining

Act 1, Scene 1 - The Witches

Fair is foul, and foul is fair

Fair is foul, and foul is fair

Foreshadowing for Macbeths future and his upcoming moral corruption, with the alliteration of fair and foul

Act 1, Scene 5 - Lady Macbeth

Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under‘t

Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under‘t

Shows her manipulation of Macbeth driven by ambition to be queen. Along with a simile of innocent flower and imagery