Macbeth Act 1 and Act 2 Quotation Analysis

trammel up the consequences

A metaphor comparing the consequences of murder to wild animals being caught in a 'trammel' (a type of net used to catch fish or birds). It reveals Macbeth's desire to commit a violent act without having to face the chain reaction of cause and effect in the real world.

Upon this bank and shoal of time

A metaphor that compares mortal human life to a narrow, temporary sandbar ('shoal'). Macbeth admits he would willingly gamble his eternal soul and risk damnation in the afterlife if he could guarantee safety and power in his temporary earthly life.

Bloody instructions

Diction with violent and disturbing connotations suggesting bloodshed and murder, conveying the mindset that using violence to achieve one's goal is acceptable. It reveals that regicide creates a cycle of violence leading to Macbeth's downfall.

Even-handed justice

A metaphor comparing justice to a person who distributes things equally using both hands. Macbeth realizes justice is reciprocal and without mercy, ensuring that one's own unjust actions will result in experiencing just consequences.

Return to plague th' inventor

A metaphor comparing one's own bad actions to a plague (deadly disease). It conveys that anyone who teaches vile lessons to others will ultimately suffer the consequences from the spreading violence.

Commends th' ingredience of our poisoned chalice / To our own lips

An extended metaphor presenting justice as someone who forces Macbeth to drink from the poisoned cup he prepared himself. The poison represents evil actions and drinking represents suffering the consequences, demonstrating how wrongdoing returns to punish the perpetrator.

"shut the door" and "bear the knife"

A contrast between protecting ('shut the door') and harming ('bear the knife'). It highlights Macbeth's moral dilemma regarding his responsibility to care for King Duncan as his relative, guest, and monarch versus murdering him.

"host"

Diction signifying protection and hospitality. Violating this duty breaks every moral and spiritual obligation, emphasizing that murdering Duncan is a severe immoral violation.

his virtues / Will plead like angels

A simile and personification comparing King Duncan's virtues to divine angels endowed with the human ability to speak up and defend him. It emphasizes Duncan's goodness, innocence, and moral purity while testifying against Macbeth's intended crime.

"trumpet-tongued"

A description showing that angel-like virtues will loudly proclaim Duncan's goodness, making the planned regicide appear even darker and underscoring Macbeth's guilt and inner conflict.

Pity, like a naked newborn babe / Striding the blast

A simile comparing public pity for the murdered Duncan to a