mac pt 3

“The Thane of Cawdor lives! Why do you dress me / In borrowed robes?” (Act 1, Scene

Speaker: Macbeth To whom: Ross and Angus Situation: Macbeth has just been informed that he is the new Thane of Cawdor, but he doesn't know the previous thane has been executed. Interpretation: Literary Device: Metaphor ("borrowed robes" = a title not rightfully his) Motif: Clothing (used to represent identity and titles) - APPEARANCE

“If chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me, / Without my stir.” (Act 1, Scene 3)

Speaker: Macbeth To whom: Aside (himself) Situation: After hearing the witches’ prophecy, Macbeth ponders whether he should act or let fate run its course. Interpretation: Literary Device: Repetition/personification of "chance" as an active force Motif: Chance/fate (he’s debating free will vs. destiny)

“Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty!” (Act 1, Scene 5)

Speaker: Lady Macbeth To whom: Herself / supernatural spirits Situation: She calls on dark forces to remove her femininity so she can commit cruel acts. Interpretation: Literary Device: Apostrophe (addressing spirits), metaphor ("unsex me") Motif: Gender (rejection of traditional female qualities)

“Look like the innocent flower / But be the serpent under it.” (Act 1, Scene 5)

Speaker: Lady Macbeth To whom: Macbeth Situation: Advising Macbeth to appear innocent while hiding his deadly intent. Interpretation: Literary Device: Simile ("like the innocent flower"), metaphor (serpent = deceit) Motif: Disguise, flower/plants

“Was the hope drunk / Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?” (Act 1, Scene 7)

Speaker: Lady Macbeth To whom: Macbeth Situation: She mocks Macbeth’s hesitation to follow through with the murder plan. Interpretation: Literary Device: Metaphor ("dressed yourself in hope"), personification of hope Motif: Clothing, sleep

“Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (Act 1, Scene 7)

Speaker: Macbeth To whom: Lady Macbeth Situation: He resolves to commit the murder and hide his true intentions. After Lady Macbeth mocks him for being a coward. Interpretation: Literary Device: Alliteration ("false face... false heart"), metaphor Motif: Disguise/Appearance

“Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red.” (Act 2, Scene 2)

Speaker: Macbeth To whom: Himself / possibly Lady Macbeth Situation: After murdering Duncan, Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt. After talking to Lady Macbeth the first time, she takes the daggers back. Interpretation: Literary Device: Hyperbole, allusion (Neptune), metaphor Motif: Blood, water

“Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep,’ the innocent sleep,…” (Act 3, Scene 2)

Speaker: Macbeth To whom: Lady Macbeth Situation: He begins to mentally unravel after killing Duncan, imagining he hears a voice. Interpretation: Literary Device: Personification of sleep, metaphor Motif: Sleep