Macbeth Key Quotes

Witch 2 – Act 1, Scene 1 “When the battles lost, and won.” – (The reader questions what battle?)
All – Act 1, Scene 1 “Hover through the fog and filthy air.” (Pathetic fallacy).
Captain – Act 1, Scene 2 “For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)” (contrast with Macbeth later in the play).
Duncan referring to Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 2 “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” (Contrast with Macbeth later in the play).
Duncan – Act 1, Scene 2 “Go pronounce his present death, / And with his former title greet Macbeth.” (Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor).
Banquo referring to the witches – Act 1, Scene 3 “So withered, and so wild in their attire, / That look not like th’inhabitants o’th’earth” (look supernatural and unattractive).
Witch 2 – Act 1, Scene 3 “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” (Telling him he’ll be the Thane of Cawdor).
Witch 3 – Act 1, Scene 3 “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be King hereafter!” (Telling him he will be King).
Banquo talking to the witches – Act 1, Scene 3 “Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear / Your favours nor your hate.” (He wants to know his prophecy).
Witch 1 talking to Banquo – Act 1, Scene 3 “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.” (Oxymoron).
Witch 2 talking to Banquo – Act 1, Scene 3 “Not so happy, yet much happier.” (Oxymoron).
Witch 3 talking to Banquo – Act 1, Scene 3 “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (His children will become kings).
Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 3 “But how of Cawdor? / … to be King / Stands not within the prospect of belief” (it’s not possible for either thing to happen).
Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 3 “Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor” (Duncan announces him as the Thane of Cawdor).
Duncan talking to Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 4 “More is thy due than more than all can pay.” (Macbeth deserves a lot).
Lady Macbeth reading a letter from Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 5 “thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing / by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee, / Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.” (Macbeth doesn’t want to kill, but notice how he thinks that’s what he has to do).
Lady Macbeth referring to Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 5 “Yet I do fear thy nature: / Is too full o’th’milk of human kindness” (thinks Macbeth is too nice to kill).
Lady Macbeth talking about Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 5 “Hie thee hither, / That I may pour my spirits in thine ear” (wants Macbeth to be more like her).
Macbeth about Duncan staying – Act 1, Scene 5 (LM asks when Duncan is going to leave) “Tomorrow, as he purposes.” (Doesn’t intend for Duncan to live).
Duncan – Act 1, Scene 6 “Herin I teach you / How you shall bid God ‘ield us for your pains, / And thank us for your trouble.” (Duncan thanking M and LM for inviting him).
Lady Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 6 “All our service, / In every point twice done, and then done double” (Lady Macbeth is being false towards Duncan).
Duncan – Act 1, Scene 6 “We love him highly, / And shall continue our graces towards him.” (Duncan expressing his likeness for Macbeth).
Lady Macbeth – Act 1, Scene 7 “Art thou afeared / To be the same in thine own act and valour / As thou art in desire?” (Are you scared to do what you really want to do?)
Macbeth about killing Duncan – Act 1, Scene 7 “We will proceed no further in this business.” (Macbeth doesn’t want to kill Duncan anymore).
Banquo – Act 3, Scene 1