Macbeth Quotes

Question 1

Macbeth sees a dagger

Answer 1

“is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle t’ward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.”

Question 2

Lady Macbeth unsex

Answer 2

“unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the top full of direst cruelty!”

Question 3

Macbeth is tempted to act on his vaulting ambiton

Answer 3

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself-“

Question 4

banquo explains that while fate may plant a seed, its uncertain which will grow - showing that ones own will is what leads them to make decisions

Answer 4

“if you can look into the seeds of time, and say which will grow and which will not, speak then to me”

Question 5

Macbeth wants to know more about the prophesies

Answer 5

“stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more”

Question 6

Macbeth doesn’t want to kill King Duncan

Answer 6

“He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought Golden Opinions” ACT 1, SCENE 7, LINE 33

Question 7

Lady Macbeth insults Macbeth about not being a man

Answer 7

“What beast was’t, then, that made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man;” Act 1, Scene 7, Line 48

Question 8

Macbeth doesn’t want light to see his dark ambitious thoughts

Answer 8

“Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires” Act 1, Scene

Question 9

Macbeth regrets the murder of Banquo by talking about blood (straight after the murder_

Answer 9

“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” Act 2, Scene 2

Question 10

Macbeth after hearing the witches’ prophecy

Answer 10

“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir” Act 1, Scene 3

Question 11

Macbeth contemplating Duncan’s murder (metaphor of a horse)

Answer 11

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which leaps itself and falls on the other” Act 1, Scene 5

Question 12

Lady Macbeth after reading Macbeth’s letter (believes ambition is not enough, Macbeth must be ruthless)

Answer 12

“Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it
Act 1, Scene 5

Question 13

Macbeth argues that masculinity has limits, pushing back against Lady Macbeth’s manipulation

Answer 13

“I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none” Act 1, Scene 7

Question 14

Macduff challenges masculine traits by grieving for his wife’s death

Answer 14

“I shall do so; but I must also feel it as a man” Act 4, Scene 3

Question 15

Banquo warns about the witches deception

Answer 15

“the instruments of darkness tell us truths, sun us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence” Act 2, Scene 1

Question 16

The witches equivocal language at the beginning - foreshadows to deception’s role within the story

Answer 16

“fair is foul and foul is fair” Act 1, Scene 1

Question 17

Lady Macbeth uses metaphor of a flower to encourage Macbeth do be more deceptive

Answer 17

“look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” Act 1, Scene 7

Question 19

Lady Macbeth expressing her guilt and descent into madness over her role in Duncan’s murder. (sleepwalking)

Answer 19

‘Out, damned spot!’ Act 5, Scene 1

Question 20

Macbeth acknowledges that he is deeply entrenched in his violent actions, suggesting he feels trapped by his past deeds

Answer 20

.’I am in blood steeped in so far’ Act 3, Scene 4

Question 21

Macbeth’s complete emotional collapse and sense of existential despair. He feels apathetic towards her. Happens after Lady Macbeth’s death.

Answer 21

‘Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow’ Act 5, Scene 5

Question 22

Macbeth expresses his insecurity about his kingship, revealing his fear of losing power and the lengths he will go to secure it.

Answer 22

‘To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus” Act 3, Scene 1

Question 23

This prophecy from the witches - ignites Macbeth’s ambition and sets the plot of the play in motion. Manipulates Macbeth.

Answer 23

.’All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!’ Act 1, Scene 3

Question 24

Macbeth’s comment on the weather foreshadows the chaos and moral turmoil that will follow Duncan’s murder.

Answer 24

‘It will be rain tonight’ Act 2, Scene 1

Question 25

Illustrates Lady Macbeth's ruthless ambition, as she contrasts her nurturing instincts with her desire for power.

Answer 25

'I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me' Act 1, Scene 7

Question 26

Symbolizes Macbeth's view of life as fleeting and meaningless, especially after Lady Macbeth's death.

Answer 26

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.” Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)

Question 27

Lady Macbeth challenges Macbeth's masculinity, manipulating him into committing murder to prove his manhood.

Answer 27

'When you durst do it, then you were a man' Act 1, Scene 7

Question 28

Macbeth rationalises the witches' prophecies as a positive force, indicating his growing ambition and moral decline.

Answer 28

'This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill' Act 1, Scene 3

Question 29

Banquo's remark about the stars reflects the ominous atmosphere and foreshadows the dark events to come.

Answer 29

'There's husbandry in heaven' Act 2, Scene 1

Question 30

Macbeth expresses his anxiety about maintaining power, suggesting that their troubles are not over despite Duncan's murder.

Answer 30

'We have scorched the snake, not killed it' Act 3, Scene 2

Question 31

In Act 5, Scene 8, Macbeth believes he is invincible due to the witches' prophecies, showcasing his hubris before his downfall.

Answer 31

'I bear a charmed life' Act 5, Scene 8

Question 32

Indicates Macbeth's decision to act impulsively on his desires, leading to further violence and chaos.

Answer 32

'The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand' Act 4, Scene 1

Question 33

Macbeth talks about the face - deception

Answer 33

"false face must hide what the false heart doth know"

Answer 34

"I fear thy nature: it is too full o'the milk of human kindness"

Question 35

7.