Significant Quotes from Macbeth
Identify the following for each significant quote from the play:
a.
b.
c.
d.
the speaker and to whom they speak
when
what it means
what it reveals (theme, conflict, character, atmosphere, imagery, irony, etc.)
1. Fair is foul, and foul is fair. (1.1.13)
2. So foul and fair a day I have not seen. (1.3.38)
3. And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths.
… to betray us/In deepest consequence. (1.3.132)
4. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
… nothing is/But what is not. (1.3.141)
5. Yet, I do fear thy nature;
It is too full o' the milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way(1.5.16)
6…. look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under't. (1.5.63)
7. This castle hath a pleasant seat. (1.6.1)
8 … that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here (1.7.1)
9. Vaulting ambition… (1.7.16)
10. Screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail. (1.7.54)
11. False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (1.7.82)
12. Is this a dagger which I see before me…(2.1.33)
13. Me thought I heard a voice cry, "Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep!" (2.2.36)
p.39
Macbeth is speaking to Lady Macbeth. He is traumatized by the act of killing Duncan.
He is saying that he heard a voice saying “sleep no more” as he walked by the sleeping guards.
This begins the sleep and sleeplessness motif. Sleeplessness is a sign of a guilt –ridden mind,
while the guilty-free conscience sleeps easily and well.
14. Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? (2.2.61)
p. 40
Macbeth is speaking in a soliloquy following Duncan’s murder. He remarks upon the blood on
his hand and in a hyperbole comments that all the ocean would not be able to clean in the blood
from his hand. This contrast with Lady Macbeth’s comment (#15)
15. A little water clears us of this deed. (2.2.68) p. 40
This is a repetition of the water and blood theme. Water is associated with cleansing of
conscience and blood with an outward sign of a guilty conscience.
Lady Macbeth speaking to Macbeth just after returning with the daggers to Duncan’s sleeping
guards when he has carried the dagger away with him. She tells him to come with her wash the
blood from his hands, and says that all that is required to “clear them” or free them from the deed
or “murder” of Duncan is to simply wash it away. This image is repeated scene in Act 5 where
Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and appears to repeatedly wash her hands and rub at a spot on her
hands (Out, Out Damn spot!). Her guilt cannot be as easily cleaned as she believed in this scene.
16. There's daggers in men's smiles (2.3.146)
Donalbain speaking to Malcolm just after learning of Duncan’s murder. They are discussing the
possibility that Duncan’s murderer hides among them and that they must escape before he/she
tries to kill them too. This is a repetition of the theme of appearances vs reality, as the two sons
realize that the men’s smiles disguise daggers.
17. To be thus is nothing;/But to be safely thus./ Our fears in Banqup stick deep,/ And in
his royalty of nature reigns/ That which would be feared. ‘Tis much he dares,/ And to that
dauntless temper of his mind, /He hath a wisdom that guide he valour/ To act in safety.
(3.1.48-60 ) p. 54-55
Macbeth here is speaking in a soliloquy about how insecure he is about holding onto the crown.
He is saying “To be King will amount to nothing, unless I can be the King in certainty. He
addresses the threat that Banquo holds for him in the next lines. Macbeth fears him and points
out the qualities which he himself does not have: “royalty of nature”, “dauntless temper of his
mind,`` wiseness that directs his bravery to act safely.
18. We have scotched the snake, not killed it. (3.2.9) p. 54
Macbeth speaking to Lady Macbeth. He is speaking about the unfinished nature of his plan to be
king. He isn`t confident that the crown is secure and that they are not yet out of danger of losing
it . He is saying that they have cut or injured (`scotched``) the snake, not killed or eliminated the
threat. He proceeds to hint at further action he will take to secure the crown, and the audience
knows that he plans to kill Banquo.
19. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed. (3.2.45)
Macbeth is speaking to Lady Macbeth about the uncertainty of the crown, and she asks him what
his plans are. He answers that she should not know anything about it until she can praise him for
it. Thus marks the time when he no longer requires the advice or encouragement of his wife to
fulfill his ambitions.
20. Treason has done his worst (3.2.23)
Macbeth says this to Lady Macbeth as they discuss the uncertainty they feel after securing the
crown. He follows `Duncan is in his grave Treason has done his worst``, in other words, the
worst act of treason is to murder a king, and that has been done, finalizing that extreme part of
the plan. The literary device used here is personification - in that he gives Treason the human
qualities of being able to act of its own accord.
21.
This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest: you
have loved him well. ( Act 4 )
22.
Black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow. ( Act 4 )
Act 5
23.
Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him.
24.
All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
25.
I will not be afraid of death and bane, Til’ Birnam Forest comes to Dunsinane.
26.
I have supp’d full with horrors.
27.
I bear a charmed life, which must not yield.
28.
MacDuff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripp’d.
29.
And be these juggling fiends no more believed.