macbeth quotes - act 4

‘Call ‘em, let me see um’ ‘tell me’ Macbeth scene 1

• use of imperatives

• Macbeth still believes he holds power over the witches though he has been fooled by them

‘Even Till destruction sicken ‘ ‘ let them fight against the church’ Macbeth scene 1

• highlights Macbeth recognises that the witches are evil beings

• Still chooses to align himself with them

• emphasises Macbeth ambition - he is willing to destroy Scotland to help him

• Proves the witches malevolent

‘An armed head’ stage directions scene 1

• dramatic irony

• Audience know Macduff has got army in England Macbeth does not

‘And an eternal curse fall on you ‘ Macbeth scene 1

• Macbeth misjudges his own power

‘For the blood-bolstered Banquo smiles upon me’ Macbeth scene 1

• blood = guilt

• Laughed at by Banquo

• King James is descendant of Banquo

‘Infected by the air wherein they ride’ Macbeth scene 1

• Macbeth is ‘in double trust’

• He implies to Lennox that they are evil beings yet still aligns himself with them

‘ from this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand’ Macbeth scene 1

• Macbeth will not hold back anymore

• He won’t feel guilt and he will do whatever he needs to

• Contrasts to his previous guilt / uncertainty about actions