GOOD VS EVIL: Macbeth Quotes

It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight. (Macbeth soliloquy) Macbeth has successfully arranged Banquo’s death.
Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content. (Lady Macbeth soliloquy) They have their goal but not the happiness they expected to come with it.
We’ve scorched the snake, not killed it. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) They cannot stop their violence because the need for power will never end.
Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Macbeth thinks maybe death is better than being in a position where power and life are always being threatened and you can trust no one.
Things bad begun make themselves strong by ill. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) The only way to make this right is by continuing to attack.
Oh treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly! Fly fly! (Banquo to Fleance) Banquo died and Fleance lived; Banquo knows Macbeth sent the murderers
The worm that’s fled hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth for the present. (Macbeth to murderer) He knows Fleance is a threat to the throne.
Thou canst not say that I did it; never shake thy gory locks at me. (Macbeth to Ghost of Banquo) Macbeth claims that his use of the murderers makes him not guilty. He tells the ghost to leave.
We are but young indeed. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that they are just beginners in crime/sin and must continue.
Some holy angel fly to the court of England and unfold his message ere he come. (Lennox to lord) Macduff has gone to England to get troops for overthrowing Macbeth.
You lack the season of all natures, sleep. (Lady Macbeth to Macbeth) Because of your use of violence you are not able to sleep.
There’s husbandry in heaven; their candles are all out. (Banquo to Fleance) This time is very dark and something bad is going to happen.
Is this a dagger I see before me, the handle toward my hand? (Macbeth soliloquy) Sees a hallucination of dagger, but grabs it and goes to kill Duncan.
Has he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it. (Lady Macbeth to Macbeth) This is why Lady Macbeth couldn’t kill Duncan herself. First time we see her “soft side.”
Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Macbeth won’t be able to sleep anymore because of what he has done.
I’ll go no more; I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on’t again I dare not. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Lady Macbeth asked Macbeth to go wipe blood onto the grooms. He can’t bring himself to terms to what he just did.
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Macbeth feels like nothing in the world could ever rid him of the guilt of killing Duncan.
A little water clears us of this deed. How easy it is, then. (Lady Macbeth to Macbeth) Lady Macbeth finds the guilt easy to get rid of.
Wake Duncan with thy knocking; I would though couldst. (Macbeth to knocking at the door) Macbeth expresses guilt for this action and regrets killing Duncan.
Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time. (Macbeth to Lennox, Donalbain, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Ross, and Banquo) He wants others to think he is innocent.
To show an unfelt sorry is an office which the false man does easy. (Malcolm to Donalbain) Malcolm doesn’t trust the other men and suspects their pity is just a show.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the near blood, the nearer bloody. (Donalbain to Malcolm) Donalbain says the closer they are, the more horrible foes they can become.
To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself. (Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Macbeth says he would rather not know about his crime yet it is a part of him.
My hands are of your colour; but I shame to wear a heart so white. (Lady Macbeth to Macbeth) Lady Macbeth says that she has finished the plan but is not ashamed or afraid like her husband.
Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell. (Macbeth to self/bell ringing) Macbeth does not want Duncan to hear the bell and wake up for he is about to kill him.
I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: To you they have show’d some truth. (Banquo to Macbeth) Banquo admits he thinks of the Witches and their words since they rightly predicted Macbeth’s new title.
(Witches to general audience) No real rules; anything goes Fair is foul and foul is fair.
(Lady Macbeth soliloquy) Asks the spirits to dehumanize or dewomanize her. She wants to be free of any sympathy or weakness. Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.
(Macbeth to Lady Macbeth) Macbeth admits his heart has failed and now he will go because of the guilt that will follow. False face must hide what false heart doth know.
August 17, 2019