Macbeth Act 5 Quotes

1. “Out, damned spot, out, I say! One. Two.

Why then, ‘tis time to do ‘t. Hell is murky. Fie, my

Lord, he, a soldier, and afear? What need we fear

Who knows it, when none can call our power to

Account? Yet who would have thought the old man

to have had so much blood in him?” (scene 1, 37-42)

Lady Macbeth said this quote to herself/the doctor

Literal Meaning: Lady Macbeth's quote "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!" refers to her guilt over the murders she and Macbeth committed.

Significance: It symbolizes her inability to wash away her guilt and the psychological torment she faces due to their actions.

2. “I have lived long enough. My way of life

Is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf,

And that which should accompany old age,

As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,

I must not look to have, but in their stead

Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath

Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare

Not.” (scene 3, 26-33)

Macbeth said this quote to himself

Literal Meaning: Macbeth feels old and abandoned, expecting honor, love, and friends in old age but instead faces curses and insincere praise.

Significance: The quote reflects themes of aging, loneliness, and disillusionment in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth."

3. “She should have died hereafter.

There would have been a time for such a word.

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

To the last syllable of recorded time,

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.” (scene 5, 20-31)

Macbeth said this quote to Seyton.

Literal meaning: Macbeth says this quote after hearing about Lady Macbeth's death. He says that Lady Macbeth should have anyway or already.

Significance: The quote emphasizes the transient nature of life and the insignificance of human existence in the grand scheme of things.