English – Macbeth Quotations – Ambition

“We shall proceed no further in this business” Macbeth debates with conscience:Macbeth decides that he will not kill Duncan
“I am settled and bend up / Each corporal agent to this terrible feat” Macbeth debates with conscience:Macbeth changes his mind and wants to kill Duncan
“I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, only / Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself, / And falls on th’other” Macbeth debates with conscience:Macbeth isn’t sure what to do because the only reason he wants to kill Duncan is for self gain
“Great Glamis worthy Cowdor, / Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter” Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth:Lady Macbeth believes Macbeth is better than everybody
“When you durst do it, then you were a man” Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth:She manipulates him by attacking his masculinity
“Art thou afeard / To be the same in thine own act and valour, / As thou art in desire?” Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth:She continues to influence him, telling him that he is a coward
“To be thus is nothing / But to be safely thus” Ambition on the throne:Macbeth needs more than just being on the throne, he must be secure.
“I’ll make assurance double sure / And take a bond of fate” Ambition on the throne:He has to be positive that there is nothing threatening his position on the throne
“A falcon towering in her pride of place / Was by a mousing owl hawked and killed” Effect of ambition:Breaks the natural order, this must be restored and therefore Macbeth must die, confirming that the play is a Shakespearian Tragedy
“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow / Creeps in the petty pace from day to day” Effect of ambition:Macbeth loses his humanity implying that he doesn’t care about his wife’s death
“The castle of Macduff I will surprise; / Seize upon Fife; give th’edge o’th’sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls” Kills Macduff’s family – ambition overwhelms, resulting in Macbeth’s demise:Macbeth starts to kill innocent people, who have done nothing to him
“Turn, hell-hound, turn” Kills Macduff’s family – ambition overwhelms, resulting in Macbeth’s demise:Macduff takes his revenge and kills Macbeth
Topic Sentences: 1. Macbeth debates with conscience2. Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth3. Ambition on the throne4. Effect of Ambition5. Kills Macduff’s family