Macbeth Essay quote memorisation and meaning

These ambition quotes are still very relevant to villainy in Macbeth! Think about it: in Macbeth, ambition is a major driver of villainous actions. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become villains because of their unchecked ambition.

Here's why these quotes are versatile and good for villainy essays in general:

• Quote 1 ("Vaulting ambition"): This is about the internal struggle that leads to villainy. It shows the psychological process of becoming a villain – the temptation and the awareness of wrongdoing. This is relevant to any question about why characters become villains, not just ambition.

• Quote 2 ("Unsex me here"): This shows the ruthlessness and moral corruption associated with villainy. Lady Macbeth's desire to be cruel is a key aspect of her villainous character. This quote is great for exploring the natureof villainy and how it can distort people.

• Quote 3 ("Fair is foul"): This quote is about the moral chaos and inversion of values that villainy brings. It's about the atmosphere of the play and how villainy affects the whole world around the characters. This is useful for discussing the consequences and impact of villainy.

So, while they are about ambition, they illuminate key aspects of villainy in Macbeth. They are definitely not just limited to ambition-specific questions.

For each quote, focus on:

• What is the literal meaning? (Break it down word by word if needed)

• Who says it and when? (What's happening in the play at that moment?)

• How does it relate to ambition and villainy? (What does it tell us about those themes in the play?)