Macbeth Act 5 scene 1

“Out, damned spot! out, I say!”

“Spot” represents imagined blood and guilt she cannot remove
Repetition of “out” shows desperation and loss of control
“Damned” suggests she feels condemned by god
Shows her mental breakdown compared to earlier uncaringness

“What, will these hands ne’er be clean?”

Rhetorical question shows hopelessness and despair
“Hands” symbolise responsibility for the murder
“Ne’er” suggests guilt will last forever
Contrasts with earlier belief that guilt could be washed away

“All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand”

Hyperbole shows the overwhelming scale of her guilt
Contrast between perfume and blood highlights corruption
‘Little hand’ may suggest “innocence”

“What’s done cannot be undone”

Same thing that Macbeth said, showing their shared guilt
Demonstrates shift from control to helplessness
Reinforces the theme of irreversible actions