Macbeth Key Quotes

Macbeth’s Key Quotes:

1. “Stars hide your fires, let not light see my dark and deep desires”
   • Act 1, Scene 4.
   • The contrast between light and dark symbolises good and evil.
   • Macbeth reveals anger and jealousy after Duncan’s announcement, expressing guilt or fear.
2. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
   • Act 2, Scene 2.
   • Macbeth feels guilty and tainted by the blood of his victims.
   • The metaphor of Neptune’s ocean emphasises the irreversibility of his actions.
3. “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!”
   • Act 3, Scene 2.
   • Macbeth’s mind is poisoned by evil, descending into madness.
   • Illustrates the irreversible impact of guilt on his mental state.
4. “If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”
   • Act 1, Scene 7.
   • Macbeth shows a mix of guilt and ambition.
   • Desires a swift completion of Duncan’s murder to expedite his rise to power.

Lady Macbeth’s Key Quotes:

1. “Come you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts. Unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty”
   • Act 1, Scene 5.
   • Lady Macbeth asks spirits to strip her of feminine weaknesses.
   • Demonstrates her willingness to embrace a more masculine, ruthless nature.
2. “Look like th’innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.”
   • Act 1, Scene 6.
   • Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to be manipulative and cunning.
   • Displays Lady Macbeth’s direct and controlling nature.
3. “‘Tis the eye of childhood, That fears a painted devil.”
   • Act 2, Scene 2.
   • Lady Macbeth accuses Macbeth of acting like a child after the murder.
   • Highlights her role in influencing Macbeth’s transformation into a brutal antagonist.
4. Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.”
   • Act 1, Scene 5.
   • Lady Macbeth fears Macbeth’s tender nature will hinder him from killing Duncan.
   • Emphasises her belief in the need for Macbeth to adopt a more ruthless persona.

Additional Quotes:

1. “There’s daggers in men’s smiles.”
   • Donalbain’s foreshadowing of betrayal and hidden motives.
2. “Fair is foul and foul is fair.”
   • Witches’ declaration that appearances can be deceiving.
3. “Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
   • Witches’ chant foreshadows trouble and danger for Macbeth.