Lady Macbeth

"Out, out, brief candle!"

"Out, out, brief candle!"

This metaphor emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

"Look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't."

Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to appear harmless while hiding his dark intentions, highlighting themes of deception.

"Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts!"

This invocation illustrates Lady Macbeth's ambition and willingness to embrace darkness to achieve power.

"Too full o' the milk of human kindness."

Lady Macbeth critiques Macbeth's nature, suggesting he is too compassionate to seize power.

"I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums."

This shocking imagery reveals Lady Macbeth's ruthless ambition and willingness to sacrifice maternal instincts.

"A little water clears us of this deed."

Lady Macbeth downplays the gravity of their actions, representing her initial coldness and ambition.

"Out damned spot!"

This line illustrates Lady Macbeth's guilt and descent into madness after the murders.

"All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."

Lady Macbeth acknowledges that her guilt cannot be washed away, emphasizing the themes of remorse.

"These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad."

Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to suppress his guilt and anxiety over their actions.

"I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me."

Lady Macbeth reflects on her maternal feelings, emphasizing her internal conflict.

"Infirm of purpose!"

Lady Macbeth scolds Macbeth for his hesitations, showcasing her manipulative nature.

"When you durst do it, then you were a man."

Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth's masculinity to spur him into action.

"Naught's had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content."

Lady Macbeth expresses her dissatisfaction despite achieving power, revealing the emptiness of ambition.

"What’s done is done."

Lady Macbeth tries to reassure Macbeth, showcasing her desire to move past their actions.

"Screw your courage to the sticking-place."

Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to muster courage for their plans, highlighting her role as a catalyst.

"I fear thou played'st most foully for't."

Lady Macbeth expresses suspicion about Macbeth's rise to power, foreshadowing his eventual guilt.

"There's husbandry in heaven; their candles are all out."

This quote suggests that the darkness of their deeds has overshadowed the natural order.

"Our fears in Banquo stick deep."

Lady Macbeth acknowledges their fear of Banquo’s descendants, showcasing her paranoia.

"Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck."

Macbeth tries to protect Lady Macbeth from their plans, indicating their changing power dynamics.

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

Lady Macbeth worries that Macbeth is too morally upright to fulfill his ambitions.

"I am in blood stepp'd in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er."

Macbeth contemplates the point of no return in their murderous spree.

"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!"

The witches' prophecy drives both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s ambitions.

"Haste thee, hecate, and come to the weird sisters!"

Lady Macbeth calls for supernatural assistance, signifying her embrace of darkness.

"The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements."

Lady Macbeth acknowledges her dark intentions, anticipating Duncan's murder.

"There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face."

This quote reflects Lady Macbeth's understanding of deception and hidden motives.

"What's done cannot be undone."

Lady Macbeth reflects on the irreversible nature of their deeds, showcasing her unraveling.

"Never shall sun that morrow see!"

Lady Macbeth reveals her resolve to ensure Duncan’s death before sunrise.

"My hands are of your color; but shame to wear a heart so white."

Lady Macbeth reproaches Macbeth for his guilt, emphasizing themes of masculinity.

"They met me in the day of success; and I have learned by the report that I am more than mortal; when I achieve success."

Lady Macbeth acknowledges the influence of prophecy on their ambition.

"You must leave this."

Lady Macbeth tries to persuade Macbeth to stop thinking about the murder, signifying her initial strength.

"Unsex me here."

Lady Macbeth wishes to strip herself of femininity and compassion to pursue ambition.

"This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses."

Lady Macbeth feigns hospitality while plotting Duncan’s murder.