Macbeth Act 1 Quotes

in thunder, lightening or in rain First witch – gothic pathetic fallacy
That will be ere the set of sun Third witch – foreshadows king’s death
Upon the heath Second witch – barren and infertile land
There to meet with Macbeth Third witch – knowledge of Macbeth prior to meeting – shows supernatural powers
Fair is foul, and foul is fair:Hover through the fog and filthy air. Witches – Fricative declarative – inversion of social norms.
brave Macbeth Sergeant – praises Macbeth
he unseam’d him from the nave to the chaps Sergeant – Shows Macbeth’s innate capacity for violence – during battle
O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman Duncan – shows trust in Macbeth and the bravery of Macbeth.
thy words become thee as thy wounds;They smack of honour both Duncan – shows blood is initially symbolic of sacrifice and loyalty
noble Macbeth Duncan – preceding adjective shows Duncan’s trust in Macbeth and belief in his bravery
So foul and fair a day I have not seen. Macbeth – echoes witches earlier phrase
wither’d and so wild Banquo – initial description of witches appearance
That look not like the inhabitants o’ the earth Banquo – remarks on abnormality of witches
you should be women,And yet your beards forbid me to interpretThat you are so Banquo – Shows abnormality of witches and Banquo’s inability to define or categorize them
he seems rapt withal Banquo – described Macbeth’s early fascination? with witches
My noble partner Banquo – Shows Banquo’s trust in Macbeth
this blasted heath Macbeth – infertile and barren place of land. Destruction reflects evil of him? Of witches?
Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more Macbeth – imperative – shows desire to know more about witches prophecy
Would they had stay’d! Macbeth – exclamation – shows Macbeth’s desire to know more about witches prophecy
The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress meIn borrow’d robes Macbeth – initial reluctance to embrace witches prophecy re Cawdor – retains morality?
[Aside] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me,Without my stir. Macbeth – aside shows duplicity. Still not involved in evil, trying to resist- retains morality?
(Aside) …horrible imaginings Macbeth – aside = duality and is he beginning to devise a plan?
Worthy Macbeth Banquo – shows respect and loyalty to Macbeth
worthiest cousin! Duncan – superlative and term suggesting friendship – shows Duncan’s trust
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September 8, 2019