Macbeth quote bank
Quote Act and Actor Analysis
Scene
“The battlefield:” 1.1 Stage direction Setting, symbolic of an eerie feel, foreshadows violence: the witches
enjoy being in the battlefield
“thunder and lightning” 1.1 Stage direction Symbolises chaos, pathetic fallacy
“Enter three witches” 1.1 Stage direction Theme of good vs evil: The supernatural is only present when earth
is in a bad state. God will come and remove the evil.
“hurly-burly’s done” 1.1 Second Witch Rhyme: sounds like nonsense, which stems from chaos. The witches
feel superior to mankind – they intend to play with the fate of the
Scottish people.
Linking phrase: “battlefield”
“When the battle’s lost and won” 1.1 Second Witch Juxtaposition: The battle is lost for mankind but is won for them.
The witches know the tampering will work in their favour.
“That will be ere the set of sun” 1.1 Third Witch Symbolises God and goodness: when the sun sets God cannot
protect anymore. When they lose the war, the world will be
shrouded in darkness. The witches are most powerful when it is
dark.
“Fair is foul and foul is fair” 1.1 Three Witches Rhyming couplet with “air”, paradox and juxtaposition: life is not
“Hover through the fog and filthy air” always fair, but there is justice to be had.
“broil” 1.2 Malcolm Metaphor: broil is a battle, foreshadows continuing violence
“Doubtful it stood; As two spent swimmers that do cling 1.2 Captain The fight is being compared to a form of art. Simile: the Captain
together And choke their art” considers violence as a form of art. Irony: society as a whole
approves of violence as long as they are on the winning side.
“brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name -” 1.2 Captain Adjective: brave links with courage, fearlessness, drive, resilient
and perseverance. There is a high sense of morality in Macbeth.
AO2 Writer’s Intentions: Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to try and
make Macbeth an honourable person. AO2 Readers Impressions:
Macbeth is motivated by ambition to advance his power. He seems
, like a good person.
“Disdaining fortune” 1.2 Captain Macbeth is not giving fate a chance to change his fortune.
“brandish’d steel,” 1.2 Captain Imagery – Macbeth is a powerful man
“Which smok’d with bloody execution” 1.2 Captain Hyperbole: Macbeth is a skilled murderer. He fells with brute force;
it feels merciless.
“O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” 1.2 Duncan Adjectives: Macbeth kills Macdonald, who was a traitor to the
Scottish king. Macbeth is loyal and a royal descendant.
“Yes, as sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion.” 1.2 Captain Animal Imagery, Metaphor, Symbolism and Foreshadows: Macbeth
and Banquo are predators who are able to defeat their prey. The
sparrow is agility, eagle is intelligence, hare is speed and the lion is
brute force.
“No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom 1.2 Duncan Foreshadows: as the original Thane of Cawdor was a traitor,
interest” whoever inherits his title could also be a traitor.
“noble Macbeth” 1.2 Duncan Adjective: noble, brave, worthy.
Linking phrase: “valiant”, “well he deserves that name”
“A drum, a drum; Macbeth doth come.” 1.3 Third Witch The drum symbolises Macbeth’s heartbeat. The drum is steady,
which shows Macbeth is currently morally good. By unknowingly
being summoned by the witches, Macbeth’s morality will diminish.
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” 1.3 Macbeth Foreshadows Macbeth’s decline in morality. AO2 Writer’s
Intentions: Makes Macbeth sound like the witches.
Linking phrase: “fair is foul and foul is fair”
“Speak if you can: what are you?” 1.3 Macbeth Imperative tone: Macbeth is a demanding and aggressive person,
which shows his true feeling of fear.
“noble partner You greet with present grace and great 1.3 Banquo Banquo notices the witches favour Macbeth: they are becoming less
prediction” equal.
“rapt withal” 1.3 Banquo “rapt” = enraptured, obsessed – one of Macbeth’s tragic flaws.
“To me you speak not” 1.3 Banquo The witches disregard speaking to Banquo as he is morally strong.
Banquo shows indifference to the witches: he is neutral. He has no
feelings towards the witches so thus will never be persuaded by
them.
“Stay you imperfect speakers. Tell me more” 1.3 Macbeth Linking phrase: “Speak if you can”, “rapt withal”
“The Thane of Cawdor lives” 1.3 Macbeth Dramatic Irony: Macbeth is unaware that the previous Thane of
, Cawdor was a traitor, so this role will be passed to him.
“Speak, I charge you” 1.3 Macbeth Simple sentence and Imperative tone: implies Macbeth’s thirst for
power and knowledge.
“The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me 1.3 Macbeth Metaphor: the title of Thane of Cawdor; Macbeth is going to be
In borrow’d robes?” enveloped in the role of a traitor. Imagery and Foreshadow:
Macbeth becoming a traitor.
“[Aside]” 1.3 Stage direction Structural feature: The character moves off to the side; showcases
secrecy, often portrays their deepest thoughts/feelings.
“The greatest is behind.” 1.3 Macbeth Macbeth now has a sense of ambition. Superlative of “greatest”:
Macbeth is ignoring destiny and is contemplating using his own
free-will change his course in life. He is disrupting the great chain
of being.
“The instruments of darkness tell us truths;” 1.3 Banquo Metaphor: for the witches. Banquo knows the witches are there to
bring harm and corruption. This is usually disguised as something
good. For Macbeth, this is the throne.
“Two truths are told,” 1.3 Macbeth Metaphor: for the titles of Glamis and Cawdor.
“As happy prologues to the swelling act” 1.3 Macbeth “Swelling” is contamination and infection. Macbeth’s ambition is
like an illness that cannot be cured. Because he has low morality, he
will never be cleansed.
“Of the imperial theme.” 1.3 Macbeth Metaphor: for the King of Scotland
“This supernatural soliciting” 1.3 Macbeth Alliteration: Macbeth’s contemplation of the prophecies and him
betraying God., Sibilance sounds like a snake; traitor, cunning,
manipulation, agile and deadly.
“Cannot be ill, cannot be good” 1.3 Macbeth Metaphor: for the prophecies, repetition: implies Macbeth is in a
state of conflict, juxtaposition: theme of good vs evil
“Present fears are less than horrible imaginings” 1.3 Macbeth Macbeth is ready to take the throne. Could also show fear against
Banquo, whose son can take the throne away from him.
“Is smother’d in surmise,” 1.3 Macbeth Alliteration: The thought of Duncan is smothering him.
Linking phrase: “rapt withal”
“Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through 1.3 Macbeth Rhyming couplet: By using the couplet, Macbeth’s words are not
the roughest day.” entirely honest. He is becoming a traitor. He wants to use his free-
will to change fate and destiny. Translates to “allow fate and destiny
