Macbeth - Key quotes Flashcards
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair; Hover through the fog and filthy air” (1,1)
The Three Witches
“Til he unseamed him from the nave to th’chaps / And fixed his head upon our battlements” (1,2)
Macbeth is valiant and brave on the battlefield. Poses a slight concern to the audience as the image is quite brutal.
“O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” (1,2)
Ironic. Macbeth is well regarded for his bravery on the battlefield conducting ‘moral killing’.
“Go pronounce his present death/And with is noble title greet Macbeth” (1,2)
Rhyming couplet. Emphatic words are Macbeth and Death - close association between the two from the outset. Foreshadows the death caused by Macbeth, including Duncan’s own murder.
“Peace! The charms wound up” (1,3)
The witches hold a supernatural control over Macbeth.
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (1,3)
Macbeth’s language echoes that of the witches. Emphasises the close association between the witches and Macbeth - their possible hold over him?
“What, can the devil speak true?” (1,3)
Banquo, the moral figure of the play, is full of disbelief and immediately associates the witches with evil.
“Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind” (1,3
Ambition grips Macbeth as he realises that the possibility of reigning is within his reach.
“This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good” (1,3)
Sense of confusion. Both Macbeth and the audience are unsure if these tidings are ill or not. Note; a typical feature of gothic is the promise of good things.
“Stars, hide your fires;/ Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1,4)
Gothic image of deceit and obscurity. Macbeth is using ‘dark forces’ to mask his ambition.
“I do fear thy nature: It is too full of the milk of human kindness” (1,5
Lady Macbeth gives the audience an insight into Macbeth’s vulnerability. He is only human, and Lady Macbeth foresees his struggle as he comes to grips with the assassination
