Key Quotes - Macbeth

‘Brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)’

‘Brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)’

Captain

A description of Macbeth's valor and bravery in battle, highlighting his heroic status. Shows how he is thought of well by his peers and the king at the start of the play.

‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’

Witches

This quote reflects the theme of ambiguity and the blurred lines between good and evil in the play. It suggests that appearances can be deceiving, setting the tone for the moral confusion that follows.

Highlights the chaotic nature of the witches and foreshadows how they will deceive Macbeth in the future by using riddles.

‘My dearest partner of greatness’

Macbeth to Lady Macbeth

This quote signifies Macbeth's deep trust and ambition shared with his wife, indicating their partnership in pursuing power and greatness.

‘Too full o’ the milk of human kindness’

Lady Macbeth

This quote expresses her concern that Macbeth is too compassionate and gentle to seize the throne, highlighting her own ruthless ambition and desire for power.

‘Is this a dagger which i see before me?’

Macbeth

Macbeth is hallucinating a dagger leading him to Duncan's chamber. This moment reveals his inner turmoil and the psychological conflict surrounding his ambition and moral hesitation. Links to theme of supernatural and guilt.

‘Never shake thy gory locks at me!’

Macbeth to Banquo’s ghost

Shows Macbeth’s weak mindset and how his guilt is overtaking. It shows how his reality is slowly becoming his appearance and he cannot keep those two sides of himself separate. It highlights a supernatural.

‘And live a coward in thine own esteem’

Lady Macbeth to Macbeth

This quote reflects Macbeth's deep fear of being perceived as weak or cowardly, emphasizing his internal struggle with guilt and the consequences of his actions.

‘Are you a man?’

Lady Macbeth to Macbeth

Tries to use the same manipulation with Macbeth as she did at the start of the play but it doesn’t work this time. Shows how their relationship is gradually getting more separate.

‘Beware Macduff’

The Weird sisters to Macbeth

An armored head talks. This links to the theme of supernatural and shows the witches.

Foreshadows the end of the play where Macbeth gets killed by Macduff.

‘Out damned spot!’

Lady Macbeth

Shows how the guilt is taking over Lady Macbeth and she is having hallucinating like dreams about what she has done and she cannot hide it any more. Appearance and reality are merging.

‘Come you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here’

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is calling on the spirits and asking them to do something for her. This links to the the supernatural.

She is opposing the stereotypes for the Jacobean period and is seen as evil.

‘Dead butcher’

Malcom talking about Macbeth

Contrast from the start of the play. Shows how much peoples thoughts of Macbeth have changed.