Macbeth Quote Bank

in thunder lightning or in Rain

Witches words at the start of the play about weather.

Why do I yield to that suggestion, Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair?

Inner turmoil faced by a character regarding a horrifying thought.

If chance may have me King, why chance may crown me without my stir.

A interesting thought on fortune, his sentence says one thing but his words betray the truth.

The instruments of Darkness tell us truths … to betray

Banquo’s noble words

You should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so

The witches are portrayed by Shakespeare as with beards

Is this a dagger which I see before me

Doubt and hallucination of a weapon reflecting psychological conflict.

heat-oppressed brain

Indication of mental strain and overwhelming pressure experienced by a character.

Thou canst not say I did it.

Denial of guilt associated with an action during a Hallucination

Something wicked this way comes.

Foreboding sense regarding an approaching evil presence, ironically used.

None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.

Prophecy foreshadowing invincibility based on birth circumstances.

Beware Macduff.

A warning against a specific individual seen as a threat.

Out, out, brief candle!

Macbeth is still in love with his wife, she was his source of guidance

a walking shadow, a poor player

Macbeth feels he never had the power of a real king

…a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.

Macbeth accepts no blame and blames supernatural witches, fate, or god

I have forgot the taste of fears

Said ironically just before Lady Macbeth’s death by Macbeth.

What's he that was not born of woman? Such a one am I to fear.

Macbeth demanding to find out who will kill him

Unseamed him from the nave to the chops

Graphic description of a violent act at the start by Macbeth

My dearest partner of greatness

Expression of allegiance and intimacy in a relationship between the Macbeths

Pour my spirits in thine ear

Lady Macbeths desire to influence someone’s thoughts and feelings.

take my milk for gall

Spirits are called to snatch away LM’s femininity and replace it with powerful masculinity.

The Thane of Fife had a wife; where is she now?

Lady Macbeth going mad due to Macbeth’s actions

Out, damned spot! Out, I say! … Hell is murky

Struggle with guilt and consequences of actions before her tragic suicide.

I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other.

Conflict between ambition and ethical boundaries regarding a horse.

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

Proves James I beliefs about women

too full o' th' milk of human kindness

Concern about the softness of character in the face of ambition.

pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash'd the brains out

LM rejects her maternal role

Macbeth does murder sleep—the innocent sleep,

Realization of guilt impacting rest and peace for Macbeth after the regicide, as he has sinned

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

Despair over the irreversibility of actions performed, involving a Pagan diety

I shame to wear a heart so white.

Criticism of perceived weakness and cowardice by Lady Macbeth regarding Macbeth

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

Recognition of being beyond the point of no return in a path of violence.

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

Assertion that guilt cannot be washed away with wealth, particularly any smell.

What's done cannot be undone / What’s done is done

Acceptance of irreversible actions and their consequences.

She should have died hereafter

Emotionless response to loss and timing of death.

My soul is too much charg'd / With blood of thine already.

Macbeth feels bad for Macduff

Thou losest labour.

Macbeth believes his invincibility when facing Macduff.

dead butcher

Macbeth is called this after his death by Malcolm

fiend-like queen

Lady Macbeth is called this by Malcolm after her death