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Macbeth: 'Macbeth' Key Quotes.
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A PDF with some of the key quotes for Macbeth's character.
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Key QuotationsMacbeth
Points to be made i.e. Analysis of
Quotation about how a character Language and Devices Links to Context
or theme presented and Structure
‘For brave Macbeth - well Macbeth is presented as a The adjective ‘brave’ reinforces The whole play deals with the
he deserves that name ruthless, brave and fearless the fearless nature of Macbeth. issue of being a real man and
warrior. This supports the We witness Macbeth through the concept of masculinity. In
- Disdaining fortune, theme ‘appearance versus other people’s thoughts and the Jacobean era men were
with his Brandished steel, reality’. We see that Macbeth opinions. This shows the reader expected to be courageous and
Which smoked with bloody is presented as aggressive and a how greatly he is admired. fearless. Here Macbeth upholds
execution, Like Valour’s very accomplished soldier. This the idea of how a ‘real man’
The epithet reinforces his heroic
aggression exploited if he is should behave.
minion carved out his and noble qualities. The use of
ruthlessly ambitious.
passage’. the verb ‘deserves’ emphasises
that this is not a sweeping
statement and Macbeth
‘O valiant cousin, worthy does possess these admirable
gentleman.’ qualities, highlighting his heroic
behaviour. The Captain gives a
Act 1 Scene 2 vivid account of his brave and
noble acts, ‘valour’s minion’ and
‘worthy gentleman’. The list of
positive qualities reinforces his
heroic status.
‘Brave Macbeth, well he Honour and nobility - Captain Proleptic irony , something that
deserves that name’ - good versus evil is said early that turns out to
have significance later.
Act 1 Scene
‘ Yet I do I fear thy nature; She is exhilarated by the It was a patriarchal society. It
it is too full o’ the milk of prospect that Macbeth might would have been frowned upon
become king. But fears that that a man wasn’t strong and
human kindness’ Macbeth does not possess the dominant.
tanasity and determination to
Lady Macbeth about achieve the crown.
Macbeth
Act 1 Scene 5
‘ Yes, as sparrows eagles, The idea of natural order is The soldier uses metaphors The Jacobeans believed in the
or the hare the lion. If I explored here as sparrows upset to convey the sheer bravery Chain of Being where lions
eagles and hares challenge lions. of Banquo and Macbeth. The would have been above hares.
say sooth, I must report Shows the courage of Macbeth metaphors show the bleakness Equally, the eagle had a higher
they were as cannons and Banquo. They showed so of the situation but Macbeth position in the natural order
overcharged with double much bravery that they were no and Banquo reveal great than the sparrows. Therefore,
cracks;’ dismayed by the enemy. They bravery. the audience is able to detect
were evidently outnumbered how fearless and strong
Act 1 Scene 2 but were not intimidated by the Macbeth and Banquo were. The
enemy. odds were stacked against the
characters but they prevailed.
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, ‘Unseamed him from the This is Macbeth ‘unseaming’ It is also a clothing metaphor In the Jacobean society
knave to the chaps’. the rebel Macdonald. This suggesting Macdonald is being patriarchal society, men were
foreshadows Macbeth’s own stripped of his title due to his expected to be aggressive and
‘unseaming’ by Macduff. It traitorous actions, like Macbeth brave.
Act 1 Scene 2
is also a clothing metaphor is later.
suggesting Macdonald is being
stripped of his title due to his
traitorous actions, like Macbeth
is later.
‘Why do you dress me in Macbeth asks this when he is Macbeth uses the interrogative Clothing was an important
borrowed robes?’ presented with the new title to show his uncertainty and indicator of status in the
Thane of Cawdor. This suggests disbelief. He uses the clothing Jacobean and the middle ages.
his suspicion that there may be metaphor to highlight that In the Jacobean age, many noble
Act 1 Scene 3
trickery at play. It also indicates he thinks this title belongs to rich members of the audience
that this title is not rightly his, someone else. would sit over the stage so
it is ‘borrowed.’ the rest of the audience could
see them in their expensive
clothing.
‘This supernatural Good versus evil / ambition / He is quick to accept the The Jacobeans believed that the
soliciting cannot be ill, overreaching witches words and accept that ultimate sin was an attempt
he is worthy of the Crown. on the King’s life. Kings were
cannot be good’ The use of antithesis suggests believed to have been appointed
that Macbeth is having a by God.
struggle with his conscience
and ambition. Use of contrast to
show his sense of confusion.
‘If chance will have me Ambition versus fate Use of repetition suggests For Macbeth to become King
king, why, chance may Macbeth is trying to eradicate he must have to disrupt the
evil ambitions from his Great Chain of being.
crown me.’ thoughts. But the audience can
see Macbeth may try to help
Act 1 Scene 3 chance along and is considering
foul play.
‘Two truths are told, As This reflects the sheer ambition The alliteration draws attention Macbeth is contemplating
happy prologues to the of Macbeth and his acceptance to the fact that the witches committing Regicide which is
that he will be killed. We see have influence his ambitious the murder of the King. The
swelling act of the imperial his overreaching that he will personality. He accepts their Jacobean audience felt this
theme’. ultimately be punished for. first two statements as truths. In was a terrible sin because they
using a metaphor for the crown believed in the Divine Right of
We see Macbeth’s ruthless
‘If good, why do I yield ‘imperial theme’ we witness his Kings. They felt that Kings were
character as he is so power
vaulting ambition. appointed by God and they
to that suggestion whose thirsty he contemplates
saw them as God’s regents on
horrid image doth unfix my murdering King Duncan. Yet, The verb ‘yield’ suggests he
earth. Therefore, in murdering
hair And make my seated he still recognises that his has accepted the witches’
King Duncan Macbeth would
possible actions are extremely prophecy and the noun phrase
heart Knock at my ribs’. sinful. ‘horrid image’ suggests that he
be punished for eternity in hell.
Additionally, Shakespeare is
is visualising murdering King
helping King James by giving a
Act 1 Scene 3 Duncan.
warning to potential treasonous
subjects, because Guy Fawkes
had already attempted to
murder King James.
‘If it were done when ‘tis Overreaching Macbeth struggles with Kings were God’s regents on
done, then ‘twere well it his conscience listing many earth.
Good versus evil
compelling reasons against
were done quickly’ Heaven versus Hell killing the King. Soliloquy
allows the audience to see
Theme of Kingship
Macbeth’s inner thoughts and
his capacity for evil.
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