Macbeth - Quotes Flashcards
1
Q
“we will proceed no further in this business”
A
- This presents Macbeth’s guilt
- ‘no further’ One of the little times he stands up to his wife
2
Q
what does the noun ‘business’ show?
A
- This is a euphemism that shows how Macbeth views killing as a job rather than a horrific event
- It shows that there is no other reason to kill Duncan other than ‘business’
- He sees it as a job, being paid to do
3
Q
“stars hide your fires let not see my black deep desires”
A
- a metaphor, Macbeth stills wants his chance at being a hero to his country
- suggests he knows what he’s doing is wrong
4
Q
‘stars hide your fires’
A
- He can avoid detection from others but also doesn’t have to see his own corruption
5
Q
‘black and deep desires’
A
- Shows he wants to operate in darkness
- Metaphor, the thoughts are not literally dark but he is saying they are because they are evil
6
Q
“Till he seamed him from the nave to th’ chops”
A
- When Macbeth kills McDonwald, he finally waves and salutes instead of doing it when they begin battle, cruel humour
7
Q
“will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
A
- He wants the blood to go away, suggesting (even though he’s an atheist) he’d do anything for the blood to disappear
- Shakespeare says, it is an un-Christian act punished by God for you to turn against your King
7
Q
how is SUPERNATURAL presented in this quote?
A
- The witches have chosen their victim, Macbeth, carefully because they know about his addiction to violence and manipulate him
7
Q
‘nave’ ‘chops’
A
- Must have used a dagger, shows he loves killing
- Shows his ambition will lead to violence and destruction
- Macbeth is ‘an agent of chaos’
8
Q
‘Neptunes’
A
- Religious Imagery, he is being punished for his challenge against God
- Uses a Roman God as a metaphor, he rejects a Christian-God suggesting he is atheist
8
Q
‘clean from my hand?’
A
- Guilt, from what he has done
