Macbeth Key Quotes Flashcards
(52 cards)
“ so fair and foul is a day I have not seen” - Macbeth
Ironic- witches say fair is foul and foul is fair the act before: potentially sets out macbeths fate so early on in the book, as it automatically connects the witches and Macbeth and suggests that they are already inside of his head before they have even encountered him.
What does wyrd mean? ( the three wyrd sisters)
Used for the witches in the play, the anglo saxon term for fate, foreshadowing Macbeths hamartia
“ the charm is wound up” - witches plan
Metaphor Implies that macbeth is now stuck in a clockwork like cycle and potentially already sets out his fate?- could argue that Macbeths fate is already decided before he even meets the witches.
Futile for him to fight against it
“ I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, only vaulting ambition”
Soliloquy-Contradicts idea that macbeths fate is already set out from start, his soliloquy’s state otherwise ( counter argues)
He is aware of his decisions and the witches only plant a seed to a greater idea for Macbeth- metaphorical., leading to his tragic downfall.
“ durst you do it then you were a man” - Lady Macbeth
A catalyst for Macbeths end decision to kill King Duncan.
Manipulation used in this quote by emasculating him makes him feel worthless so he feels he has to prove himself to her by being ‘manly’
Lady Macbeth contributes massively to Macbeths decision by her manipulative actions.
“Come you spirits who tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here!” - Lady Macbeth
- believes that being a woman is a weakness and wants the spirts to take it away from her and make her evil.
- she challenges male expectations and subverts her feminity which would have been shocking at the time to a Victorian audience who believed woman should be passive and patient.
- seems more willing than Macbeth to kill Duncan- urge to gain more power ( greed )
“ look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”
- lady Macbeths duplicity= she has the worst intentions and is very deceptive and tries to feed this into Macbeth.
- lady Macbeth is ‘agent of chaos’ - Hecatate- queen of agents of chaos
- biblical allusion- lady macbeth is like eve- forcing Adam to eat the apple and destroy the great chain of being.
“ such i account thy love” - Lady Macbeth
By attempting to flatter Macbeth and force him into killing Duncan
“ was the hope drunk werein you dressed yourself?” - lady Macbeth
Denigration- act of unfairly criticising Macbeths decision not to kill Duncan.
Dismissive tone suggests that Lady Macbeth does not regard Macbeths opinion and only seeks more power which she knows she can gain through her husband.
“Life […] is a tale told by an idiot full of sound and….
Fury, signifying nothing
> quote from macbeths soliloquy when he is told lady m has died
> a lot in life seems to happen but it ultimately meaningless and without purpose.
“Yet do I fear thy…
Nature
> concern that macbeth doesn’t have the ruthlessness to kill duncan
“It is too full of….
the milk of human kindness
> despite violent and being a brave character macbeth has a strong sense of compassion
“Will all great Neptune’s oceans wash…
This blood clean from my hand
> shows instant guilt from macbeth
“But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined bound….
In to saucy doubts and fears
> repetition of c sounds shows that macbeth is trapped by his own conscience and inescapable guilt of banquos murder
“ I beared the….
charm in life
> macbeth still believes the witches prophecies even when macduff is in front of him and about to kill him~ ironic
> believes he is lucky
“Stars hide your fires…
Let not light see my black and deep desires
> metaphor of dark- shows that his thoughts and intended actions are evil
> asking stars to give him darkness so no one can see his evil and violent action- foreshadowing
Sleep no more…
Macbeth does murder sleep
> due to his guilt macbeth will no longer be able to sleep
a little water…
Clear us of this deed
> contrast in reaction of lady m & Macbeth
Ironic- later on she will be up sleepwalking trying to clear the blood off her hands
Out damned spot…
Out I say!
> shows how lady macbeths guilt is overriding and she has become corrupt and a carcass of her former self ( CARCASS OF INSANITY) > mention this!!
“False face must hide what…”
“The false heart doth know”
> shows Macbeths duplicitous intentions- he appears valiant and noble but in reality is malevolent and deceitful.
False shows Macbeths unnatural way of taking the crown.
“Why do you dress me in…”
“Borrowed robes”
> motif of clothing= temporary> his title of being king is temporary due to the sinful extraction of it
Lexis of “borrowed” shows temporal nature of his power
“Upon my head they placed a…
“Fruitless crown”
> diction of “placed shows it has been carefully crafted and manipulated
Macbeth has- meticulously manipulated his position as king
What could fruitless mean?
Kings are usually fruitless to their people and are devoted to them, Macbeths omission of fruit signifies his tainted kingship and violation of natural order
‘I am afraid to think what I have done….
Look ont it i dare not
> shows instant guilt
