Macbeth Quotes

Question 1

Ambition and power - 1

Answer 1

“vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps self “

act one scene seven – Macbeth

Admits his ambition is dangerous

Question 2

Ambition and power – 2

Answer 2

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent “

Act one scene seven – Macbeth

Lacks a justifiable reason to kill Duncan, only ambition

Question 3

Supernatural – 1

Answer 3

“ fair is foul and foul is fair “

Act one scene one – witches

Theme of deception, things aren’t the way they seem

Question 4

Supernatural – 2

Answer 4

“Is this a dagger? Which I see before me? “

Act two scene one – Macbeth

Hallucination shows psychological tournament

Question 5

Guilt – 1

Answer 5

“Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? “

Act two, scene two – Macbeth

Feels immense guilt after killing Duncan, his conscience is overwhelming

Question 6

Guilt – 2

Answer 6

“Out damned spot! out I say “

Act five scene one – Lady Macbeth

Her guilt drives her to madness. Imagines blood on her hands that can’t be washed away.

Question 7

Kingship - 1

Answer 7

“There’s no art to find the minds construction in the face “

Act one scene four – Duncan

You can’t tell what someone is thinking by looking at them – irony as Macbeth betrayed him

Question 8

Kingship – 2

Answer 8

“ Macbeth shall sleep no more“

Act two, scene two – Macbeth

Symbolises his loss of peace and foreshadows his mental deterioration

Question 9

Gender and manipulation, – 1

Answer 9

“When you durst do it, then you were a man“

Act one season seven – Lady Macbeth

Questions his masculinity to manipulate him into murdering Duncan

Question 10

Gender and manipulation, – 2

Answer 10

“Unsex me here“

Act one scene five – Lady Macbeth

Ask the spirits to take away her femininity so she can be cruel and ruthless like a man

Question 11

fate vs free will

Answer 11

“if fate will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir”

Act one Scene 3 - Macbeth

shows belief that free will won’t change fate