Macbeth Quotes

‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair.’ - All Witches, Act 1

This paradox suggests the chaos of the time and how hard it is to tell good from bad. Alliteration makes the line memorable. Trochaic tetrameter divides the witches from the other noble characters who speak in iambic pentameter, enoforcing their supernatural nature.

‘brave Macebeth - well he deserves that name’ Captain, Act 1

This epithet contrasts with Macbeths end, highlights how he was perceived and emphasises the question of whether he is good or evil.

‘All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis, / All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, / All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.’ First Witch/Second Witch/Third Witch, Act 1

The witch’s prophecy to Macbeth (uses repetition).

‘Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. / Not so happy, yet much happier. / Thou shalt get kings, thou be none.’ First Witch/Second Witch/Third Witch, Act 1

The witch’s prophecy to Banquo (uses paradox).

‘If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me / Without my stir.’ Macbeth, Act 1

This personification of fate, highlights one of the questions at the core of this piece does fate choose decide your acts? Did fate make Macbeth king? Or was it his own choices?

‘Stars hide your fires, / Let not light see my black and deep desires,’ Macbeth, Act 1

Response to Macbeth’s thoughts of the Prince of Cumberland being in his way. This paradox of light and dark, illustrates Macbeth’s evil intent and highlights his awareness of the villainy of his actions.

‘fill me… Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood, / Stop th’access and passage to remorse’ Lady Macbeth, Act 1

This highlights the intent behind Lady Macbeth’s actions and her ruthless and unwavering ambition.

‘Look like th’innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t'.’ Lady Macbeth, Act 1

This paradox and metaphor reflects the deception and mixing of good and evil in this play and that Macbeth was acting, using falsehoods. It is also a biblical allusion to the snake that tempted Eve to eat an apple in the Garden of Eden.