themes quotes

I'm never learning all these

solicits heaven

kingship

malcolm says that when english king edward visits and treats the sick he…

2 words

king-becoming graces

kingship

qualities of a king

2-3 words

justice, verity, temperance, stableness,

kingship

4 qualities of a king (12 overall)

JVTS

signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine/on all deservers

kingship

duncan rewards macbeth and banquo for protecting scotland

signs of…

more is thy due than more than all can pay

kingship

duncan is generous in his gratitude to those who have served him

more is…

murder hath broke ope

kingship

macduff compares duncan’s corpse to a temple that…

4 words

the lord’s anointed temple

kingship

macduff says that duncan’s body is…

4 words

was a most sainted king

kingship

macduff tells malcolm about duncan saying he…

was a most…

he was a gentleman on whom i built/an absolute trust

kingship

duncan shows weakness and makes misjudgement in the character of the thane of cawdor

he was a…

each new morn/new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/strike heaven on the face

kingship

scotland becomes a place of terror and death where…

each new morn…

this duncan/hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/so clear in his great office

kingship

macbeth knows duncan was great in his role as king and was well respected

this duncan…

his virtues/will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against/the deep damnation of his taking off

kingship + power

macbeth knows that duncan’s death will cause outrage and chaos because of how respected he is and because of how good of a king he is

the common enemy of man

kingship

macbeth has sold his soul to the devil, aka…

the common…

but wherefore i could not pronounce amen?

kingship

macbeth is evil and cannot pray

but wherefore…

secret, black, and midnight hags

kingship

5 words to describe the witches

porter of hell-gate

kingship

lowly porter of macbeth’s castle refers to himself as this

3-4 words

you know your own degrees; sit down

kingship

macbeth does not rule formally or properly

does not care to know the ranks of his men

stand not upon the order of your going,/but go at once

kingship

lady macbeth urges thanes to leave at once and pay no heed to order of importance

disorder

the dead man’s knell/is there scarce asked for who

kingship

in act 4 ross tells of a scotland where so many people are killed on macbeth’s orders that …

showing macbeth’s paranoisa

the dead man’s….

cruel are the times when we are traitors/and do not know ourselves

kingship

ross admits he is afraid to trust anyone

anyone who speaks freely risks being branded a traitor and executed

cruel are…

to be thus is nothing/but to be safely thus

kingship + power

the empty kingship brings macbeth no pleasure

his grip on power is tenuous and he feels insecure and paranoid

to be…

full of scorpions

kingship

macbeth’s mind is…

fruitless crown/barren sceptre

kingship + power + ambition

macbeth bears a…

he has no heir to inherit the throne, will leave no dynasty behind him

empty kingship, empty power, ambition brings no joy

2 parts

banquo’s issue

kingship

bitterly, macbeth realises that he has defiled his mind for the sake of…

2 words

tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

kingship

name of a speech macbeth gives in act 5

macbeth accepts that all his evil doings have been for nothing

honour, love, obedience, troops of friends

kingship

macbeth does not possess these qualities which a king should be surrounded with

not a good king

HLOToF

mouth-honour

kingship

macbeth’s servants obey him out of fear and not out of desire, paying him…

no true loyalty behind their words

1-2 words

sovereign flower

kingship

malcolm referred to as this

he repairs the line of succession and promises to rule wisely and well

2 words

the medicine of the sickly weal

kingship

caithness refers to malcolm as this

the medicine…

by the grace of grace

kingship

malcolm will rule this way

by the…

fair is foul, and foul is fair/hover through the fog and filthy air

appearance vs reality + evil

witches first words

indication that things in the play may not be what they seem

Evil is shown as the inversion of moral order, where good and bad are deliberately reversed.

Shakespeare establishes that evil creates confusion and moral disorder in the natural world and human judgement.

fair is…

what seemed corporal/melted as breath into the wind

appearance vs reality

after witches talk to macbeth and banquo, they vanish into thin air

have we eaten on the insane root/that takes the reason prisoner?

appearance vs reality

banquo and macbeth are confused by what they have witnessed and banquo is wondering if they are hallucinating

have we eaten…

and oftentimes, to win us to our harm/the instruments of darkness tell us truths,/win us with honest trifles to betray’s/in deepest consequence

appearance vs reality

banquo’s warning to macbeth about the witches’ words - they may not reflect reality and could be designed to lead macbeth astray

rapt withal

appearance vs reality

macbeth becomes this by the ideas the witches have planted in his mind despite vagueness

2 words

as a book where men/may read strange matters

appearance vs reality

lady macbeth is aware that her husband is not a naturally deceptive man and she urges him to become so, warning him that his face is….

as a book…

look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t

appearance vs reality

lady macbeth stresses the importance of false appearance, advising macbeth to do this

look like…

black and deep desires

appearance vs reality

macbeth calls on the stars to hide their light so that his … may not be seen

4 words

false face must hide what the false heart doth know

appearance vs reality

prior to duncan’s murder, macbeth says this

false face…

rugged looks

appearance vs reality

lady macbeth tells macbeth to hide these at her wedding

2 words

be bright and jovial

appearance vs reality

lady macbeth tells macbeth she must act this way in front of the guests

4 words

a dagger of the mind, a false creation/proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain

appearance vs reality

macbeth knows the dagger is a figment of his own imagination but follows it anyway

supernatural soliciting

appearance vs reality

macbeth puts his trust into… despite banquos warning to him to not trust them

instruments of darkness

appearance vs reality

banquo warning macbeth not to trust the witches or to trust the … who may be luring him to his doom with half-truths

the very painting

appearance vs reality

lady macbeth believes the ghost to be exactly what her husband feared

3 words

what, will these hands ne’er be clean?

appearance vs reality

guilt consumes lady Macbeth

becomes a victim of the confusion between appearance and reality as she wanders through the castle, frantically scrubbing imaginary bloodstains

what, will these…

macbeth shall never vanquished be until/great birnam wood to high duns inane hill/shall come against him

appearance vs reality

what the witches tell to him

provides him relief until it happens

macbeth shall.never,,,

none of woman born/shall harm macbeth

appearance vs reality

pbrased in a way that made macbeth seem invincible until we learn macduff was delivered via c section

none of woman,,,

doubt the equivocation of the fiend

appearance vs reality

macbeth begins to doubt the witches

doubt the,,

a charmed life

appearance vs reality

macbeth desperately clings to his final hope that he leads,,,

3 words

from his mothers womb/untimely ripped

appearance vs reality

macduff reveals the circumstances of his birth

from his mothers,,,

show an unfelt sorrow

appearance vs reality

malcolm tells his brother donalbain that it is easy for people to hide their emotion and to pretend to feel sorry for others

there’s daggers in men’s smiles

appearance vs reality

malcolm becomes suspicious of everyone

nobody to trust

there’s daggers…

all things foul would wear the brows of grace

appearance vs reality

malcolm himself engages in deception while he pretends …

all things foul,,,

there’s no art/to find the mind’s construction in the face

appearance vs reality

duncan to malcolm

you cannot judge a person's true thoughts or intentions simply by looking at their face

there no art…

he unseamed him from the nave to the chops

gender

shakespeare does not shirk away from graphic descriptions of the play

physical strength and violence are lauded in the play

he unseamed…

bathe in reeking wounds/or memorise another golgotha

gender

attack was so violent that sergeant couldn't tell if they were trying to save scotland in a violent manner or commit a massacre

savagery acceptable because it is for a good cause - seen as manly

bathe in…

my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical/shakes so my single state of man

gender

Macbeth says this after hearing the witches’ prophecy that he could become king.

Macbeth links masculinity with violence and power, showing that even imagining murder unsettles his sense of being a man.

my thought…

nothing in his life/became him like the leaving it

gender

Duncan praises the Thane of Cawdor for dying bravely, suggesting honourable masculinity is tied to loyalty and courage.

died a manly death - redeemed himself by repenting of his wrongdoings unlike macbeth

nothing in his…

too full o’ the milk of human kindness

gender + ambition + evil

Lady Macbeth says this while fearing Macbeth is too gentle to kill Duncan.

Lady Macbeth associates her husband’s compassion and kindness with weakness, rejecting them as unmanly traits.

Kindness is presented as an obstacle preventing Macbeth from fulfilling his ambitions.

Evil is associated with the rejection of kindness and the embrace of cruelty.

too full…

come you spirits, uns*x me here

gender

Lady Macbeth calls on evil spirits after reading Macbeth’s letter about the prophecy.

Lady Macbeth asks to be stripped of feminine qualities so she can gain the cruelty and power associated with masculinity.

Shakespeare suggests femininity is linked to kindness, while masculinity is linked to cruelty and power.

come…

stop up the access and passage to remorse

gender

Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to remove her ability to feel guilt before Duncan’s murder. commit violence without emotion

She rejects stereotypically feminine emotions to adopt a more ruthless, masculine role.

stop up…

to be the same in thine own act and valour/as thou art in desire

gender

Lady Macbeth pressures Macbeth to prove his masculinity by turning ambition into violent action. suggests he is afraid…

to be the same…

when you durst do it, then you were a man

gender

Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth and twists words + logic, persuading him that it would be unmanly not to murder the king

claiming that true manhood is proven through murder and bravery.

when you durst…

such i account thy love

gender

Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth’s love for her when he refuses to kill Duncan.

Lady Macbeth equates Macbeth’s masculinity and love for her with his willingness to commit violence.

essentially saying; if you loved me you would kill the king

such i…

the sleeping and the dead/are but as pictures. ‘tis the eye of childhood/that fears a painted devil

gender

Lady Macbeth mocks Macbeth’s fear of duncan’s corpse as childish and unmanly to assert dominance over him.

the sleeping…

to wear a heart so white

gender

Lady Macbeth insults Macbeth when he reacts fearfully to Banquo’s ghost.

Macbeth uses “white” to symbolise cowardice, implying fear and weakness are unmanly.

she has blood on her hands too but would be ashamed to be as cowardly as him

to wear…

we are men, my liege

gender

he murderers define themselves through masculinity, showing how manhood is linked to violence and loyalty.

macbeth uses corrupt idea of manliness when hiring them asking if they are man enough to kill banquo

we are…

are you a man?

gender

Lady Macbeth repeatedly questions Macbeth’s masculinity to shame him into committing violent acts. Shakespeare highlights how masculinity is constantly questioned and tied to emotional control.

as a result from his horrified reaction to the spectre

4 words

dispute it like a man

gender

Malcolm urges Macduff to respond to his family’s murder with revenge.

Masculinity is initially presented as strength, action and vengeance.

dispute…

feel it as a man

gender

Macduff replies to Malcolm after hearing about the murder of his wife and children.
Shakespeare challenges stereotypes by showing that real masculinity includes emotional expression.

feel it…

this tune goes manly

gender

malcolm accepts macduff’s rebuke and agrees that he can both grieve and seek vengeance

macduff is capable of the traditional masculine feats of courage on the battlefield but his reaction here shows the audience that love and an occasional loss of composure can also form part of being a man

this tune…

why should i play the roman fool, and die/on mine own sword? whiles i see lives, the gashes/do better on them

gender

Macbeth refuses to commit suicide when he realises he may lose the battle.

Shakespeare questions traditional ideas of masculine honour and bravery.

macbeth judges it better to keep on killing than to kill himself - far from noble

why should i play…

cowed my better part of man

gender

Macbeth says this after learning that Macduff was not technically “born of woman,” making the witches’ prophecy misleading. making him afraid.

roused to fight on however when taunted by macduff,

Macbeth admits fear has weakened his courage, showing how he connects masculinity with bravery and dominance.

cowed…

this dead butcher

gender

Malcolm says this in the final speech after Macbeth has been killed.

Shakespeare suggests violent masculinity ultimately destroys Macbeth’s humanity and honour. not manly

3 words

if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me/without my stir

Ambition

Macbeth says this after hearing the witches’ prophecy that he will become king.

At this stage, Macbeth is tempted by ambition but hopes fate will bring him power without giving into evil.

if chance will have…

my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,/shakes so my single state of man that function/is smothered in sunrise, and nothing is/but what is not

Ambition

Macbeth privately imagines murdering Duncan shortly after hearing the prophecy.

Shakespeare shows ambition immediately leading Macbeth towards violent and dangerous thoughts, which shocks even him

my thought…

why do you start and seem to fear/things that do sound so fair?

Ambition + evil

Banquo says this when Macbeth reacts unusually to the witches’ prophecies.

Macbeth’s fearful reaction suggests his ambition has already made him consider evil possibilities. witches never mentioned murder

Evil has already begun to affect Macbeth internally, unsettling his moral stability.

why do you…

the prince of cumberland - that os a step/on which i must fall down or else o’erleap,/for in my way it lies. stars, hide your fires,/let not light see my black and deep desires

Ambition

Macbeth says this after Duncan names Malcolm as his heir.

Macbeth’s ambition becomes more determined as he sees Malcolm as an obstacle to power. recognises the evil nature of his ambition

the prince of…

vaulting ambition

Ambition

Macbeth admits in his soliloquy before Duncan’s murder that ambition is driving him.

Shakespeare presents unchecked ambition as dangerous because it pushes people beyond moral limits.

ALSO power

Shakespeare presents the desire for power as dangerous when unchecked by morality.

2 words

not without ambition, but without/the illness should attend it

Ambition

Lady Macbeth says this while reading Macbeth’s letter.

She believes Macbeth has ambition but lacks the ruthlessness needed to achieve power. lady macbeth unaware of the extent of his ambition

not without…

‘gainst nature still./thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up/thine own life’s means!

Ambition

Ross hears that duncan’s sons have fled scotland after his murder and are therefore suspected of having done the deed.

Shakespeare suggests destructive ambition destroys both natural order and the ambitious person themselves. destructive power of ambition. ambition bites the hand that feeds it.

‘gainst nature still…

played’st most foully

ambition

Banquo says this after Macbeth becomes king.

Banquo suspects Macbeth’s ambition drove him to commit murder for the crown but does not challenge him

3 words

may they not be my oracles as well/and set me up in hope?

Ambition

Banquo says this after hearing the witches’ prophecies.

Shakespeare shows that ambition tempts Banquo too, although he resists acting immorally

may they not…

golden opinions

Ambition

Macbeth says he has earned widespread respect and honour before Duncan’s murder.

Macbeth recognises that ambition risks destroying the reputation he already possesses.

2 words

worn now in their newest gloss

Ambition

Macbeth compares his honours to clothes that are still fresh and should be admired by others and not ‘cast aside’ too quickly

Shakespeare highlights that Macbeth’s ambition makes him unsatisfied with the success he already has. danger of unchecked ambition

worn now…

put rancours in the vessel of my peace

ambition + power

the murder of duncan haunts macbeth and it has…

the price he has paid to achieve his goal is too high

Macbeth’s ambition destroys his peace of mind and fills him with paranoia.

power gained through evil brings him no joy

put rancours…

naught’s had, all’s spent,/where your desire is got without content

Ambition + power

Lady Macbeth says this, feeling disillusioned after Duncan’s murder.

Achieving ambition/power through evil brings guilt and dissatisfaction rather than happiness. expressing feelings of futility

naught’s had…

a tale/told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing

Ambition

Macbeth says this after hearing of Lady Macbeth’s death near the end of the play.

Macbeth realises his ambitious pursuit of power has left his life empty and meaningless. view life as this.

a tale…

gentleman on whom i built an absolute trust

Power

Duncan says this about the original Thane of Cawdor after discovering his betrayal.

Shakespeare shows that political power depends on trust, which can easily be broken.

gentleman on whom…

go pronounce his present death,/and with his former title greet macbeth

Power

Duncan orders Macbeth to be given the title Thane of Cawdor after Macbeth’s victory in battle.

The transfer of titles shows the king’s authority to grant and control power.

go pronounce…

carved out his passage

Power

The Captain describes Macbeth fighting bravely against Macdonwald in battle.

Macbeth first gains power and status through violence and military strength.

carved out…

bring forth men-children only

Power and gender

Macbeth says this after Lady Macbeth persuades him to murder Duncan.

Macbeth admires Lady Macbeth’s strength and associates power with masculine aggression. wants a line of sons - masculinity

bring forth…

bend up / each corporal agent to this terrible feat

Power

macbeth makes the decision to kill duncan

archery metaphor to show his preparation for it

illustrating how unchecked ambition forces a naturally noble man to weaponize his body and soul against rightful authority.

bend up…

from the crown to the toe top-full / of direst cruelty

Power + evil

Lady Macbeth calls on spirits to fill her with cruelty before Duncan arrives.

Shakespeare links the pursuit of power with violence and the rejection of compassion.

Evil is shown as something supernatural that strips away humanity and compassion.

Shakespeare links evil with a deliberate rejection of moral and natural order.

from the crown…

be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck

Power

Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth she does not want to know about his plan to kill Banquo.

Macbeth begins keeping power for himself, showing how kingship isolates him from others.

be innocent…

yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?

Power

Lady Macbeth says this while sleepwalking and reliving Duncan’s murder.

The guilt caused by their violent rise to power continues to haunt her.

horrified and broken by the power she has unleashed

yet who would have thought…

in blood / stepped in so far that, should i wade no more, / returning were as tedious as to go o’er

Power + evil

Macbeth says this after Banquo’s murder and the banquet scene.

Macbeth realises maintaining power now requires continuous violence. after seeing banquo’s ghost he is more determined to unleash a reign of terror on innocent scottish citizens

Evil becomes a cycle, where one violent act leads to another to maintain power.

Shakespeare presents evil as self-perpetuating once it has begun.

in blood…

whiles i see lives, the gashes / do better upon them

Power

Macbeth says this near the end of the battle at Dunsinane.

Even as his power collapses, Macbeth clings to violence and refuses surrender.

whiles i see…

a good and virtuous nature may recoil / in an imperial charge

Power

Malcolm says this while testing Macduff’s loyalty in England.

Shakespeare suggests that holding great political power can corrupt even good people.

a good and virtuous…