“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” | ~ witches- foreshadowing, setting the mood of the supernatural |
“Let not light see my black and deep desires.” | ~ Macbeth- After Duncan announces that he will name his son Malcolm the next king, Macbeth hopes his disappointment doesn’t show. He must find a way to prevent Malcolm from becoming king. |
“Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full of the milk of human kindness.” | ~ Lady Macbeth (referring to Macbeth)- She fears that Macbeth is too kind to go through with killing Duncan. |
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” | ~ Lady Macbeth (speaking to Macbeth)- This is just before King Duncan’s arrival at their castle. Macbeth’s wife wants him to act nice to Duncan’s face, and hide his evil intentions. |
“Come, you spiritsThat tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,And fill me from the crown to the toe top-fullOf direst cruelty!” | ~ Lady Macbeth- calling on the spirits to take away her feminine, weakness and fill her with evil because she wants Duncan dead. |
“But screw your courage to the sticking-place,And we’ll not fail.” | ~ Lady Macbeth- before they kill Duncan, she is reassuring Macbeth that everything will work out if he fixes his courage firmly in place. |
“False face must hide what false heart doth know.” | ~ Macbeth- He has decided he will go along with Lady Macbeth’s plan to kill Duncan. Telling himself that he must put on a false pleasant face to hide his false, evil heart. |
“Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done’t.” (referring to Duncan) | ~ Lady Macbeth- She would’ve killed Duncan herself but as he was sleeping he looked like her father. |
“What hands are here? Ha: they pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” | ~ Macbeth- looking at his hands after he has just killed Duncan. He wonders if all of the water in the ocean could wash the blood off his hands. |
“Is this a dagger which I see before me,The handle toward my hand?” | ~ Macbeth- Hallucinating that he sees a dagger before he kills Duncan. |
“Thou hast it now: King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,As the weird women promised, and I fearThou play’dst most foully for’t.” | ~ Banquo (referring to Macbeth)- meaning: well now you have everything that you were promised by the witches. I just fear that you did something bad to get it. |
“He’s here in double trust. First, as I am his kinsman and his subject… then, as his host.” | ~ Macbeth (referring to King Duncan)- Listing reasons why he shouldn’t kill Duncan. Duncan trusts Macbeth for two reasons: he is his kinsman/subject, and his host. |
“A little water clears us of this deed.” | ~ Lady Macbeth- After killing Duncan, she tells Macbeth that all they have to do is wash their hands and they will be cleared of their sin. |
fair is foul and foul is fair | Act 1, Scene 1 – Witches – paradox – supernatural |
O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman | Act 1, Scene 2 – Duncan – bloodshed is revelled in – brutality a virtue |
So foul and fair a day I have not seen | Act 1, Scene 3 – Macbeth – opening line – paradox similar to witches – potential for supernaturalness |
You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so | Act 1, Scene 3- Macbeth – Witches = supernatural and transgressive of gender |
Thou shalt get Kings, though thou be none | Act 1, Scene 3 – Third Witch – prophecy – Banquo |
Why do you dress me in borrow’d robes? | Act 1, Scene 3 – Macbeth to Ross – disbelief of prohpecy becoming true – theatrical imagery |
The instruments of darkness tell us truths | Act 1, Scene 3 – Banquo – less trustworthy of witches – calm and sceptical |
Speak, I charge you! | Act 1, Scene 3 – Macbeth – imperative – witches fail to obey – lack of control? – argues against supernatural powers |
Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires | Act 1, Scene 4 – Macbeth (aside) – |
Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here | Act 1, Scene 5 – Lady Macbeth – similar to witches – supernatural relations – transgression of gender – imperatives – urgency – desperation – recurrence of ‘un’: cannot undo actions |
Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell | Act 1, Scene 5 – Lady Macbeth – light/dark imagery – Hellish imagery – guilt – shroud for dead bodies – concealment – conspiracy – relates to Macbeth’s ‘Stars hide your fires…’ – femme fatale |
Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t | Act 1, Scene 5 – Lady Macbeth – religious imagery – Adam and Eve – sin against God – regicide – deception – conspiracy -transgressive femme fatale |
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th’inventor | Act 1, Scene 7 – Macbeth – fears moral consequences – humility – psychological state |
Vaulting ambition | Act 1, Scene 7 – Gothic ambition – fatal flaw of tragic hero – only motive to kill – realises it is untrustworthy |
There’s husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out | Act 2, Scene 1 – Banquo – Religious imagery – dark imagery |
Is this a dagger which I see before me | Act 2, Scene 1 – Macbeth – visions – horror image – two interpretations: dagger of Macbeth’s imagination OR conjured by the Witches to spur on Macbeth to kill Duncan – ambiguity of supernatural |
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still | Act 2, Scene 1 – Macbeth dagger soliloquy – contradictions like the Witches |
Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t | Act 2, Scene 2 – Lady Macbeth – indicates she has some conscience – not purely evil |
I could not say ‘Amen’ | Act 2, Scene 2 – Macbeth – Amen means ‘so be it’ in Hebrew – cannot ask for anything given his sin – guilt |
Macbeth shall sleep no more | Act 2, Scene 2 – Macbeth thinks he heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more!’ – accepts danger of sleep when he is to be king – insomnia – erratic and tyrannical behaviour |
The devil himself could not pronounce a title more hateful to mine ear | Act 5, Scene 7 – Young Siward – religious imagery – hatred for Macbeth publicly known |
This dead butcher and his fiend like queen | Act 5, Scene 8 – Malcolm – butcher: someone who kills with no remorse or regret or reason – fiend – evil and immoral, capable of enchanting victims into a false sense of security |
Out damned spot: out I say | Act 5, Scene 1 – Lady Macbeth – sleepwalking scene – manifestation of Duncan’s blood – guilt – madness – like madwoman in the attic in Jane Eyre and Lucy’s inability to sleep in Dracula |
Beware Macduff | Act 4, Scene 1 – First apparition – possible threat of Macduff |
None of woman born shall harm Macbeth | Act 4, Scene 1 – Second apparition (Bloody child) – comforts Macbeth but has double meaning – Macduff born Caesarean – Macduff can kill him |
Mother’s womb untimely ripp’d | Act 5, Scene 8 – Macduff confirming threat |
until Great Birnham wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him | Act 4, Scene 1 – Third apparition (crowned child) – branches cut down and used as camouflage used by the English led by Siward and Malcolm, Duncan’s son |
Something wicked this way comes | Act 4, Scene 1 – Second witch – their own creation – Macbeth now comes LOOKING FOR THEM – supernatural |
When shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? | Act 1, Scene 1 – First witch – Pathetic fallacy – connections to dark weather – dark imagery – supernatural – dark exposition – tragedy – conspiracy |
secret, black, and midnight hags! | Act 4, Scene 1 – Macbeth – arrogant command to the Witches – contrasts Act 1, Scene 3 where he addresses them with shock and surprise |
We have scotch’d the snake, not killed it | Act 3, Scene 2 – Macbeth – worried about threat (Banquo) – snake is the threat to his kinship – religious imagery – snake tempts |
O, full of scorpions is my mind | Act 3, Scene 2 – Macbeth – the fact Banquo and Fleance still live is like the sting of a scorpion |
When the battle’s lost and won (1.1.4) | second witch to all witchesfair is foul, foul is fair- one winner and one loser |
fair is foul, and foul is fair (1.1.12) | all witches to all witchesmajor theme- appearances vs. reality. something good is bad, something bad is good |
For brave Macbeth…which he ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unsealed him from the nave to th’ chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements. (1.2.18-25) | Captain to Duncan and MalcolmMacbeth killed the traitor Macdonwald |
but the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage, with furnished arms and new supplies of men, began a fresh assault. (1.2.34-36) | Captain to Duncanfair is foul – small victory but another enemy |
As cannons overcharge with double cracks, so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. (1.2.41-42) | Captain to Duncankept fighting, even stronger, not giving up |
assisted by that most disloyal traitor, the Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict…the victory fell on us. (1.2.60-66) | Ross to DuncanThane of Cawdor is traitor to Duncan but they still win |
what he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. (1.2.78) | Duncan to RossThane of Cawdor will die, Macbeth will replace himfair is foul |
and, like a rat without a tail, I’ll do, I’ll do, and I’ll do. (1.3.10-11) | first witch to all witchesgoing to torture sailor because woman didnt give her nuts, witches have power. torturing because they can |
I’ll drain him dry as hay. sleep shall neither night nor day. hang upon his penthouse lid. he shall live a man forbid. weary sev’nnights, nine times nine, shall he dwindle, peak, and pine. (1.3.19-24) | first witch to other witchesthe woman’s husband is tortured |
so foul and fair a day i have not seen. (1.3.39) | Macbeth to Banquobad weather, won but many losses |
you should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so. (1.3.47-49) | Banquo to witchesthey dont look like women |
all hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! all hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shall be king thereafter! (1.3.51-53) | all witches to Macbeth and BanquoMacbeth knows he is Thane of Glamis, he doesnt know that he is going to be Thane of Cawdor but we do, king is foreshadowing |
why do you start and seem to fear things that do sound so fair? (1.3.54-55) | Banquo to MacbethMacbeth is freaking out about the titles the witches said |
speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate. (1.3.63-64) | Banquo to witchespredict stuff for him, he doesnt beg for their favors or fear their hate |
lesser than Macbeth and greater. not so happy, yet much happier. thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. (1.3.68-70) | witches to banquoBanquo wont be king, he will be happier than Macbeth, Banquo’s kids will be king and his line will carry on |
the Thane of Cawdor lives, why do you dress me in borrowed robes? (1.3.114-115) | Macbeth to Ross, Angus, Banquohe is unaware that the thane of cawdor has died/was a traitor. doesnt understand why he would just take his “robes” if they still belong to cawdor. |
But ’tis strange. and oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness to tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray ‘s in deepest consequence. (1.3.134-138) | Banquo to Macbethidea that info is fair, but something foul in how it will play out/to good to be true fair is foul, foul is fairdark instruments= witches, they be tellin the truth! |
this supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good… I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do i yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair… Present fears are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder is yet but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man that function is smothered in surmise, and nothing is but what is not. | Macbeth to selfwitches never say anyone will die, belief in supernatural powers, fair is foul- he wants to be king but doesnt want others to die |
present fears are less than horrible imaginings. (1.3.150-151) | Macbeth to selfpresent fears are bad. imagines stuff that have to happen to become king. isnt thinking of crazy ass stuff like murder yet |
if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir. (1.3.157-159) | Macbeth to selflet chance take its course, not going to interfere/try anything |
there, if I grow, the harvest is your own. (1.4.37-38) | Banquo to Duncanif he has big accomplishments, it is because of Duncan |
Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter the Prince of Cumberland; which honor must not unaccompanied invest him only (1.4.44-46) | Duncan to Macbeth and BanquoDuncan’s son Malcolm will be named prince, in the way of Macbeth |
the Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. (1.4.55-60) | Macbeth to selfmacbeth doesnt want others to know of what he desires, fair and foul |
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised. Yet I do fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not with ambition…(1.5.15-19) | Lady Macbeth to selfwants macbeth to be king but thinks he is too kind to act manly and do what it takes to be king. Macbeth wants to be a good man, doesnt want to cheat to get what he wants |
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round (1.5.29-31) | Lady Macbeth to selfShe is going to persuade macbeth to act |
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal. (1.5.32-33) | Lady Macbeth to selfFate and witchcraft want Macbeth to be king |
The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements. (1.5.45-47) | Lady Macbeth to selfDUNCAN WILL DIE. |
Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood. Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse, that no compunctious visitings of nature shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers, wherever in your slightless substances you wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark to cry “Hold, hold!” (1.5.47-61) | Lady Macbeth to selfshe calls upon evil so that she can kill duncan without guilt or sadness/emotion |
O’ never shall sun that morrow see! Your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters. To beguile the time, look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue. look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t. He that’s coming must be provided for; and you shall put this night’s great business into my dispatch, which shall to all our nights and days to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. (1.5.71-82) | Lady Macbeth to MacbethDuncan is not going to see tomorrow, he is going to be killed. Appear innocent and hide the evil, she is going to plan everything for the murder that will happen in the night |
See, see our honored hostess! (1.6.13)Fair and noble hostess, (1.6.30) | Duncan to Lady Macbethhe is too trusting |
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly. if th’ assassination could trammel up the consequence and catch with his surcease success, that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, we’d jump the life to come. But in these cases we still have judgement here, that we but teach bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague th’ inventor. This even-handed justice commends th’ ingredience of our poisoned chalice to our own lips. he’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself…(1.7.1-16) | Macbeth to selfcrimes have consequences, looking at reasons why he shouldn’t kill duncan. he should be protecting duncan |
which thou esteem’st the ornament of life and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” like the poor cat i’ th’ adage? (1.7.46-49) | Lady Macbeth to Macbethshe is questioning his manliness, will he become king or be a coward |
I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares to do more is none. (1.7.51-52) | Macbeth to lady macbethhe will do what a man is meant to dodoing more=not a man |
when you durst do it, then you were a man (1.7.56) | Lady macbeth to macbethtesting macbeth’s manliness. she is such a bitch. |
I have given suck, and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. i would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed his brains out, had i so sworn as you have done to this. (1.7.62-67) | lady macbeth to macbethshe would kill her baby if she said that she would. SHE IS ONE CRAZY BITCH. |
when we have marked with blood those sleepy two of his own chamber and used their very daggers, that they have done ‘t? (1.7.86-88) | Macbeth to lady macbethframe the servants |
I am settled and bend up each coporal agent to this terrible feat. away, and mock the time with fairest show. false face must hide what the false heart doth know. (1.7.92-96) | macbeth to lady macbethhide under a friendly face, hide evil heartappearances vs reality |
there’s husbandry in heaven; their candles are all out. take thee that too. a heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet i would not sleep. merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose. (2.1.6-11) | Banquo to Fleancehe is suspicious. something isnt right,nature foreshadowing |
if you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis, it shall make honor for you. (2.1.34-35) | macbeth to banquomacbeth is figuring out who is loyal to him |
My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, i shall be counseled. (2.1.38-39) | Banquo to macbethhe will be loyal as long as things are fine |
is this a dagger which i see before me, the handle toward my hand? come, let me clutch thee…or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation proceeding from the heat-oppresséd brain? (2.1.44-51) | macbeth to selfimagining the dagger, freaking out about murder, guilt already in his heart, only killing for lady macbeth |
i go, and it is done. the bell invites me. hear it not, duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell. (2.1.75-77) | macbeth to selfready to do the deed. he prays it will go w/out notice, cant handle the pressure |
that which hath made them drunk hath made me bold. what hath quenched them hath given me fire…it was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman (2.2.1-5) | lady macbeth to selfdrugged guardsmen, fair is foul foul is fair- what made their lives suck is giving her powerthe owl is death, death has occurred |
One cried “god bless us” and “amen” the other…i could not say “amen” when they did say “god bless us”…”i had most need of blessing, and “amen” stuck in my throat. (2.2.37-44) | macbeth to lady macbethalready feeling the guilt, so strong cant even ask for god’s blessing |
Methought i heard a voice cry “sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” – the innocent sleep, sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, the death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, chief nourisher in life’s feast. (2.2.47-52) | macbeth to lady macbethMENTAL BREAKDOWN OVER HERE. haunted by guilt, will never have peaceful nights, he will be sleepless |
Still it cried “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” (2.2.54-57) | macbeth to lady macbethhaunted by guilt, can never sleep again |
Go get some water and wash this filthy witness from your hand. (2.2.60-61) | lady macbeth to macbethwater will clear us of this deed |
infirm of purpose! give me the daggers. the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures. ’tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. if he do bleed i’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt. (2.2.68-73) | lady macbeth to macbethmacbeth is stupid and cant do anything right, lady is going to frame the guardsmen |
will all great neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? no, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red. (2.2.78-81) | macbeth to selfwater will not wash it all away |
my hands are of your color, but i shame to wear a heart so white. (2.2.83-84) | lady macbeth to macbethnot bothered by the death, white=pure |
a little water clears us of this deed. (2.2.86) | lady macbeth to macbethwater will cleanse us, repeated |
wake duncan with thy knocking. i would thou couldst. (2.2.94-95) | macbeth to lady macbethhe would take it all back |
here’s a farmer that hanged himself on th’ expectation of plenty… here’s an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God’s sake yet could not equivocate to heaven…an English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose…(2.3.4-14) | porter to selffarmer hoards crops, equivocator knows what to say to get what he wants, tailor steals from people he shouldnt be stealing from, all are greedy like macbeth.foreshadowing |
But this place is too cold for hell. (2.3.16) | porter to selfits worse than hell |
the night has been unruly. where we lay, our chimneys were blown down…the obscure bird clamored the livelong night. some say the earth was feverous and did shake. (2.3.61-69) | Lennox to macbethnature is weird/strange. the obscure bird is the owl, referencing duncan’s death |
O gentle lady, ’tis not for you to hear what i can speak. the repetition in a woman’s ear would murder as it fell. (2.3.96-99) | macduff to lady macbethwomanly ears cant handle deathirony because she already knows duncan is deadfair is foul- lady is evil and crazy |
had i but died an hour before this chance, i had lived a blesséd time; for from this instant there’s nothing serious in mortality. All is but toys. renown and grace is dead. the wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees is left this vault to brag of. (2.3.107-112) | macbeth to lennox and rosshe wishes he didnt kill duncan, ironynothing left to live for since the king is dead |
o, yet i do repent me of my fury, that i did kill them. (2.3.124-125) | macbeth to macduff(main person) malcolm, donalbain, lennox (to the room)confesses to killing the guards |
Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate, and furious, loyal, and neutral, in a moment? no man. th’ expedition of my violent love outrun the pauser, reason. (2.3.127-130) | macbeth to macduff, malcolm, donalbain, lennox/ the roomCLEVER COVER. says: if they killed king, of course he would kill them, expresses his loyalty to duncan.loves duncan so much, reason lost, emotions took over. |
what will you do? let’s not consort with them. to show an unfelt sorrow is an office which the false man does easy. (2.3.160-162) | Malcolm to Donalbaindoesnt trust anyone anymore |
our separated fortune shall keep us both the safer. where we are, there’s daggers in men’s smiles. the near in blood, the nearer bloody. (2.3.163-166) | Donalbain to malcolmscared for their lives, going to leave scotland and go to ireland(donalbain) and england(malcolm) |
’tis unnatural, even like the deed that’s done. on Tuesday last a falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed. | old man to rossnature is strange/weird |
and duncan’s horses…turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind. (2.4.17-22) | ross to duncanhorses turn wild, nature is acting strange |
Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s two sons, are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them suspicion of the deed. (2.4. 36-38) | Macduff to Ross and old manironic because they are innocent and are running away to be safe. pretty much straightforward. |
God’s benison go with you and with those that would make good of bad and friends of foes. (2.4.55-56) | Old Man to Macduff and Rossfair is foul, foul is fairmake friends w/enemies |
Thou hast it now – King, Cawdor, Glamis, all as the Weird Women promised, and I fear thou played’st most foully for ‘t. (3.1.1-3) | Banquo to selfMACBETH IS THE KILLER. |
But that myself should be the root and father of many kings. If there come truth from them (As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine) Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, and set me up in hope? (3.1.5-6) | Banquo to selfthings came true for Macbeth, will they come true for Banquo? |
let your highness command upon me, to the which my duties are with a most indissoluble tie forever knit. (3.1.17-20) | Banquo to Macbeththey have a bond because of the witches |
We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide (3.1.33-35) | Macbeth to Banquokeeps on bringing up Duncan’s sons |
They hailed him father to a line of kings upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in my grip, thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding. If’t be so, for Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind; for them the gracious Duncan have I murdered. (3.1.65-71) | Macbeth to selfdoesnt trust Banquo, doesnt want Banquo’s son to be king, super jelly of banquo, afraid of banquo, and paranoia from guilt |
know that it was he, in the times past, which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self. This i made good to you (3.1.83-86) | Macbeth to Murderershe is manipulating the murderers to hate Banquo, saying that Banquo made them lesser than they could be |
do you find your patience so predominant in your nature that you can let this go? are you so gospeled to pray for this good man and for his issue, whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave and beggared yours forever? (3.1.96-101) | Macbeth to Murderersquestioning their manliness, just like Lady Macbeth did to him |
false face must hide what the false heart doth know (1.7.95) | MB to LMBfair is foul, foul is fair |
I am one, my liege, whom the vile blows and buffets of the world hath so incensed that i am reckless what i do to spite the world…And i another so weary with disasters, tugged with fortune, that i would set my life on any chance, to mend it or be rid on ‘t. (3.1.121-128) | Murderers to MacbethLet us prove that we are men |
And though i could with barefaced power sweep him from my sight and bid my will avouch it, yet i must not (3.1.135-136) | Macbeth to Murderersi can kill banquo but i dont want to gain enemies |
Masking the business from the common eye for sundry weighty reasons. (3.1.141-142) | Macbeth to Murderersmake up a reason for why killing banquo, dont connect macbeth |
Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, whose absence is no less material to me than is his father’s (3.1.154-155) | Macbeth to murdererskill fleance and banquo |
it is concluded. banquo, thy soul’s flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight. (3.1.161-162) | Macbeth to selfBanquo knows to much. Guilt leads to craziness |
Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content. ’tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. (3.2.6-9) | Lady Macbeth to selfgot what was desired but not happy, role reversal with macbeth who is a crazy killer while she is unhappy |
We have scorched the snake, not killed it. She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice remains in danger of her former tooth. (3.2.15-17) | Macbeth to Lady MBmore to do which is why he keeps killing |
better to be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy. (3.2.22-25) | macbeth to lady MBlife isnt good, would rather be dead |
Come on, gentle my lord, sleek o’er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight. (3.2.30-32) | Lady MB to Macbethrelax, be happy for the guests |
There’s comfort yet; they are assailable…Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck…and with thy bloody and invisible hand cancel and tear to pieces that great bond which keeps me pale. (3.2.44, 51, 52-56) | Macbeth to Lady MBBanquo and Fleance are killable. its better if Lady doesnt know what he has planned until after, he is going to break the bond/cancel the prophecy by killing Banquo and Fleance |
O treachery! fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge – o slave! (3.3.25-26) | Banquo to Fleancemurderers kill banquo. lol fleance just disappears from the play now. |
then comes my fit again. i had else been perfect, whole as the marble, founded as the rock, as broad and general as the casing air. But now i am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears. (3.4.23-27) | Macbeth to Murdererconfident but now scared and doubting |
there the grown serpent lies. The worm that’s fled hath nature that in time will venom breed, no teeth for th’ present. Get thee gone. tomorrow we’ll hear ourselves again. (3.4.31-35) | Macbeth to MurdererSerpent/Banquo dead. Worm/Fleance escaped and will be a threat in the future but is harmless now |
Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus and hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. the fit is momentary; upon a thought he will again be well. (3.4.64-67) | Lady Macbeth to banquet tablehe is like this all the time, its all good… |
This is the air-drawn dagger which you said led you to Duncan. (3.4.75-76) | Lady MB to MBits all macbeth’s imagination, he is hallucinating from guilt. the ghost is the product of his guilt |
It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood. (3.4.152) | Macbeth to Lady MBthose that were killed will seek vengence |
I am in blood stepped in so far that, should i wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er. (3.4.168-170) | Macbeth to Lady MBhe has murdered so many he might as well keep going |
We are yet but young in deed. (3.4.176) | Macbeth to L MBgoing to keep killing |
and which is worse, all you have done hath been but for a wayward son (3.5.10-11) | Hecate to Witches Macbeth has done bad things w/the info, messing w/fate, spiteful and wrathful, does everything for himself |
And that, distilled by magic sleights, shall raise such artificial sprites as by the strength of their illusion shall draw him on to his confusion. he shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear his hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace, and fear. and you all know, security is mortals’ chiefest enemy. (3.5.26-33) | Hecate to Witchesmake illusions that will make Macbeth think everything is good and that he is all powerful, his overconfidence will be his enemy |
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous it was for malcolm and for donalbain to kill their gracious father? Damnéd fact, how it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight in pious rage the two delinquents tear that were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? was not that nobly done? (3.6.10-15) | Lennox to Lordthinks Macbeth is the murderer, everything he says is sarcastic |
Some holy angel fly to the court of England and unfold his message ere he come, that a swift blessing may soon return to this our suffering country under a hand accursed. (3.6.51-55) | Lennox to Lordwants Macduff to come and heal the land, get rid of Macbeth the tyrant |
Double, double toil and trouble (4.1.10) | All Witches making life worse for Macbeth, double work, double trouble |
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife! Dismiss me. Enough. (4.1.81-82) | First Apparition(Armed Head=head with armor) to Macbethsaying beware Macduff |
Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth. (4.1.90-92) | Second Apparition(Bloody Child) to Macbetha man not born of woman can harm Macbeth |
Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee? But yet i’ll make assurance double sure and take a bond of fate. thou shalt not live (4.1.93-95) | Macbeth to Apparitions and Witchesjust to make sure he will kill Macduff anyway |
Macbeth shall never vanquished be until great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. (4.1.105-107) | Third Apparition(child crowned with tree in hand) to MacbethMacbeth will not be vanquished unless Birnam Wood moves |
That will never be. Who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix his earthbound root?…Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom. (4.1.108-114) | Macbeth to Apparition and WitchesIts not going to happen, Macbeth will live the natural course of life |
What, will the line stretch out to th’ crack of doom? Another yet? A seventh? I’ll see no more. And yet the eighth appears who bears a glass which shows me many more, and some I see…for the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me and points at them for his. (4.1.132-139) | Macbeth to Apparitions and Witchesall are the children of Banquo who will be kings, mirror/glass shows even more kings |
Infected be the air whereon they ride, and damned all those that trust them! I did hear the galloping of horse. (4.1.157-159) | Macbeth to LennoxCursing anyone who trusts the witches, curses him self because he believed in them |
The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand. And even now, to crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done (4.1.167-170) | Macbeth to selfno longer acting with reason, just reaction |
This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool (4.1.175) | Macbeth to selfis going to kill Macduff’s family |
When our actions do not, our fears do make us traitors. (4.2.4-5) | Lady Macduff to Rossapplies to Macbeth |
But cruel are times when we are traitors and do not know ourselves; when we hold rumor from what we fear, yet know not what we fear (4.2.22-24) | Ross to Lady Macduffapplies to Macbeth |
Then the liars and swearers are fools, for there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men and hang up them. (4.2.62-64) | Son to Lady Macduffreflection of whats occuring |
I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly. why then, alas, do i put up that womanly defense to say i have done no harm? (4.2.83-87) | Lady Macduff to selffair is foul- good can be bad, bad can be good |
Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell. Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace, Yet grace must still look so. (4.3.27-30) | Malcolm to Macdufffair is foul- evil looks good, good also has to look good |
That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state esteem him as a lamb, being compared with my confineless harms. (4.3.63-66) | Malcolm to Macdufftesting Macduff, Macbeth will look pure compared to Malcolm if Malcolm became king |
I grant him bloody, luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful, sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin that has a name…Better Macbeth than such an one to reign. (4.3.70-79) | Malcolm to Macduffmore testing |
Yet do not fear. Scotland hath foisons to fill up your will of your mere own. all these are portable, with other graces weighed. (4.3.103-106) | Macduff to MalcolmScotland’s treasures will sustain Macduff, the good outweighs the bad |
Fit to govern? No, not to live. – O nation miserable, with an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptered, when shalt thou see thy wholesome days again…(4.3.120-123) | Macduff to MalcolmMalcolm is not fit to govern, based on what he has told Macduff |
Macduff, this noble passion, child of integrity, hath from my soul wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts to thy good truth and honor. (4.3.133-136) | Malcolm to MacduffMacduff is loyal and good, everything was a test |
Alas, poor country, almost afraid to know itself. It cannot be called our mother, but our grave, where nothing but who knows nothing is once seen to smile; where sighs and groans and shrieks that rent the air are made, not marked; where violent sorrow seems a modern ecstasy. The dead man’s knell is there scarce asked for who, and good men’s lives expire before the flowers in their caps, dying or ere they sicken. (4.3.189-198) | Ross to Macduff and Malcolmsays what people are thinking, everyone hates Macbeth |
This tune goes manly. Come, go we to the King. Our power is ready; our lack is nothing but our leave. Macbeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments. receive what cheer you may. the night is long that never finds the day. (4.3.276-282) | Malcolm to Macduff and Rossgoing to fight the king |
That, sir, which i will not report after her…Neither to you nor anyone, having no witness to confirm my speech. (5.1.15-20) | Gentlewoman to Doctorshe doesnt want to say because the info is bad, no one would believe her because no witness |
It is an accustomed action with her to seem thus washing her hands. I have known her continue in this in a quarter of an hour. (5.1.30-33) | Gentlewoman to Doctornot cleared of the deed |
out, damned spot, out, i say! one. two…yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him? (5.1.37-42) | Lady Macbeth to self/Gentlewoman and Doctorconfesses to murder of Duncan |
The Thane of Fife had a wife. where is she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? no more o’ that. You mar all with this starting. (5.1.44-47) | Lady Macbeth to self/Gentlewoman and Doctorconfessed murdering Macduff’s wife |
Wash your hands. put on your nightgown. Look not so pale. I tell you again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on ‘s grave. (5.1.65-67) | Lady Macbeth to self/Doctor and Gentlewomanconfesses to death of Banquo |
Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles. infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets. (5.1.75-77) | Doctor to Gentlewomanother theme- animals, nature, etc.discharge secrets – letting the guilt out |
I think but dare not speak. (5.1.83) | Doctor to Gentlewomannot going to say anything |
this push will cheer me ever or disseat me now. I have lived long enough. My way of life is fall’n into the sere, the yellow leaf, and that which should accompany old age, as honor, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have, but in their stead curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not. (5.3.24-33) | macbeth to selfacceptance of death, realizes he has nothing, fight will either keep him king or take him away from the throne, people say they are loyal but are not |
Both more and less have given the revolt, both more and less have given him the revolt, and none serve with him but constrained things whose hearts are absent too. (5.4.16-18) | Malcolm to soldiers, macduff, siwardpeople only fight for macbeth because they have to |
life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (5.5.27-31) | Macbeth to Seytonno emotion or humanity, no meaning to his life |
Armed Head/First Apparition | is Macduff, he is the soldier that kills Macbeth |
Bloody Child/Second Apparition | is Macduff, he is the baby birthed not of woman |
Child with crown and tree branches/Third Apparition | is Malcolm, he becomes king and brings the battle to Macbeth |
we have met with foes that strike beside us. (5.7.34-35) | Malcolm to SiwardMacbeth’s army fighting w/them |
Despair thy charm, and let the angel whom thou still hast served tell thee Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped. (5.8.17-20) | Macduff to MacbethHE IS THE SECOND GHOST and cut out of womb |
and be these juggling fiends no more believed that palter with us in a double sense, that keep the word of promise to our ear and break it to our hope. I’ll not fight with thee. (5.8.23-26) | Macbeth to MacduffMacbeth doesnt want to fight Macduff anymore, tricked by the apparitions/witches, fights anyway |
of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen (who, as ’tis thought, by self and violent hands, took off her life) | Malcolm to Allbutcher is macbeth he goes crazy and kills everyonelady macbeth cant handle guilt, takes own lifeIN THE END: MACDUFF KILLS MACBETH AND MALCOLM BECOMES KING. |
lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. | porter |
Hie to you Horse, Adieu / Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? | Macbeth |
By the pricking of my thumbs / something wicked this way comes | witch |
Safe in a ditch he bides / With twenty trenched gashes on his head / The least a death to nature | Murderer |
But I remember now / I am in this early morning world / I am in this earthly world, where to do harmIs often laudable, to do good sometimeAccounted dangerous folly. Why then, alas,Do I put up that womanly defense,To say I have done no harm? | Lady Macduff |
No More the thane of cawdor shall decieve / Our bosom interest | Duncan |
This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell. | Lady Macbeth (reading letter from Macbeth) |
What I am truly,Is thine and my poor country’s to command. | Malcolm |
He has no children. All my pretty ones?Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?What, all my pretty chickens and their damAt one fell swoop? | Macduff |
More needs she the divine than the physician. | Physician |
Now does he feelHis secret murders sticking on his hands.Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach.Those he commands move only in command,Nothing in love. Now does he feel his titleHang loose about him, like a giant’s robeUpon a dwarfish thief. | Angus |
I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itseld / And falls on th’ other | Macbeth |
Was the hope drunk / Wherien you dressed yourself? Hath it slept sense? / And wakes it now, to look so green and pale / At what is did so freely | Lady Macbeth |
With all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? | Macbeth |
Let every soldier hew him down a bough / And bear’t before him. Thereby shall we shadow / The numbers of our host and make discovery / Err in report of us. | Malcolm |
Macbeth Quotes
August 18, 2019