macbeth 1-3

Act 1, Scene 1 — Witches Sets the tone of moral confusion. The witches blur boundaries of good and evil. Foreshadows Macbeth's downfall — what seems "fair" (becoming king) is actually "foul" (achieved through murder).

Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.

Act 1, Scene 2 — Captain Establishes Macbeth's heroic reputation. He is loyal, courageous, and admired. Blood here symbolises bravery, not guilt. Ironic foreshadowing: he later becomes a traitor himself.

For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name), Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smoked with bloody execution.

Act 1, Scene 2 — Duncan Duncan rewards Macbeth with the traitor's title. Irony: Macbeth will also become a traitor and lose everything. Highlights theme of loyalty vs betrayal.

What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.

Act 1, Scene 3 — Witches The witches tempt Macbeth by mixing truth with prophecy. They plant the seed of ambition. Thane of Cawdor title foreshadows his own treason.

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

Act 1, Scene 3 — Macbeth Echoes the witches' words, linking him to them. Shows how their language is already influencing him.

So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

Act 1, Scene 3 — Banquo Banquo is promised heirs to the throne. This fuels Macbeth's paranoia later, as Banquo becomes a threat to his legacy.

Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.

Act 1, Scene 3 — Macbeth (aside) His ambition awakens immediately. He imagines killing Duncan before Lady Macbeth suggests it. He recognises it as unnatural but is tempted anyway.

If good, why do I yield to that suggestion, Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair... Against the use of nature?

Act 1, Scene 4 — Duncan Duncan naively trusts Macbeth just as he trusted the old Thane of Cawdor. Dramatic irony — Macbeth is already plotting against him.

He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.

Act 1, Scene 4 — Macbeth Sees Malcolm as an obstacle. Reveals growing ruthlessness and ambition.

The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step On which I must fall down or else o'erleap.

Act 1, Scene 4 — Macbeth Imagery of light/dark. He hides his ambition to murder Duncan. "Black and deep desires" foreshadow his secret plans.

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

Act 1, Scene 5 — Macbeth (letter) Shows closeness of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. He treats her as an equal and shares his ambition. This love/trust allows her to manipulate him.

My dearest partner of greatness.

Act 1, Scene 5 — Lady Macbeth She doubts Macbeth's ruthlessness. Views kindness as weakness. Vows to persuade him to act.

Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness.

Act 1, Scene 5 — Lady Macbeth Rejects femininity and morality to commit murder. Supernatural language makes her seem witch-like.

Come, you spirits... unsex me here, And fill me... top-full of direst cruelty.

Act 1, Scene 5 — Lady Macbeth Advises Macbeth to deceive others — appearance vs reality. Biblical allusion to the serpent in Eden.

Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't.

Act 1, Scene 7 — Macbeth At first, he resolves not to kill Duncan, valuing his reputation. However, telling Lady Macbeth invites her persuasion.

We will proceed no further in this business.

Act 1, Scene 7 — Lady Macbeth Shocking imagery — manipulates Macbeth by questioning his masculinity and commitment. She wins him over.

I have given suck... dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.

Act 1, Scene 7 — Macbeth He decides to murder Duncan. Echoes the witches' "fair is foul." Begins deception.

I am settled... False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

Act 2, Scene 1 — Macbeth Hallucination symbolising guilt and ambition. The dagger leads him to Duncan's chamber. His uncertainty reflects inner conflict.

Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?

Act 2, Scene 2 — Lady Macbeth Hypocrisy: she cannot kill Duncan herself. Reveals weakness.

Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done't.

Act 2, Scene 2 — Macbeth Guilt personified as a voice. He has destroyed innocence and peace. Sleep becomes a symbol of purity he can no longer have.

Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep.'

Act 2, Scene 2 — Lady Macbeth Dismisses his guilt. Ironic: later she obsessively washes imaginary blood from her hands.

A little water clears us of this deed.

Act 2, Scene 2 — Macbeth Hyperbole shows overwhelming guilt. Contrasts with Lady Macbeth's dismissal. Blood becomes symbol of guilt.

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?

Act 2, Scene 3 — Macduff Duncan's murder is sacrilegious — an attack on God's chosen king. Highlights theme of divine right.

Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope The Lord's anointed temple.

Act 2, Scene 3 — Lady Macbeth Pretends shock and innocence. Example of deceit.

What, in our house?

Act 2, Scene 3 — Macbeth Pretends grief but is ironic — he wishes he had died before murdering Duncan. Shows hypocrisy.

Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time.

Act 2, Scene 3 — Donalbain Recognises the deceit around them. Foreshadows betrayal and treachery.

There's daggers in men's smiles.

Act 2, Scene 4 — Ross Clothing imagery criticises Macbeth as unfit king. Suggests unease under his rule.

Lest our old robes sit easier than our new.

Act 3, Scene 1 — Macbeth Paranoia fuels plan to murder Banquo and Fleance. Shows ambition has turned into fear and tyranny.

Our fears in Banquo stick deep... To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!

Act 3, Scene 1 — Banquo Banquo suspects Macbeth killed Duncan. Suspicion grows.

Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all... and I fear thou play'dst most foully for't.

Act 3, Scene 2 — Macbeth Keeps Banquo's murder secret from Lady Macbeth. Shows their growing distance.

Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck.

Act 3, Scene 4 — Macbeth Speaks to Banquo's ghost. Guilt and paranoia overwhelm him. Public breakdown damages his kingship.

Thou canst not say I did it; never shake thy gory locks at me!

Act 3, Scene 4 — Lady Macbeth Tries to excuse Macbeth's behaviour, but loses control. Their partnership crumbles.

Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus...

Act 3, Scene 4 — Macbeth Realises violence leads to more violence. Foreshadows his downfall.

It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood.

Act 3, Scene 4 — Macbeth Paranoia — spies everywhere. Shows his tyranny.

There's not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant fee'd.