Macbeth Quotes

Front 1

Act 1 Scene 1:

Pathetic fallacy used when audience first meets the Witches.

Back 1

"Thunder and lightning"

Front 2

Act 3 Scene 2:

Macbeth using zoomorphism to hint to Lady Macbeth that someone is going to happen to Banquo and Fleance.

Back 2

"Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse"

Front 3

Act 3 Scene 1:

Banquo is concerned that Macbeth has killed Duncan.

Back 3

"I fear, Thou playedst most fouly for't."

Front 4

Act 2 Scene 3:

Macbeth telling Macduff why he killed the king's guards. Dramatic irony and show of Macbeth's loyalty, even if it is faked.

(2 Quotes)

Back 4

"Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man!"

"Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood!"

Front 5

Act 2 Scene 3:

Macduff telling the others of Duncan's murder.

Back 5

"Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope The Lord's anoited temple"

Front 6

Act 2 Scene 3:

Porter discussing the effects of drink and can be directly linked to the events of the play so far (The Witches are equivocators with ambition).

Back 6

"drink may said to be an equivocator with lechery"

Front 7

Act 2 Scene 3:

Porter pretending to welcome an equivocator to hell. Context - Father Henry Garnett, equivocated at his trial for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot.

Back 7

"an equivocator""- who committed treason enough for God's sake, yet could not equivocate to heaven"

Front 8

Act 2 Scene 2:

Lady Macbeth accepting that she is also guilty but accusing Macbeth of being cowardly.

Back 8

"My hands are of your colour - but I shame To wear a heart so white!"

Front 9

Act 2 Scene 2:

Macbeth asking Lady Macbeth about losing his connection with God after Duncan's murder.

Back 9

"But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'?"

Front 10

Act 1 Scene 7:

Macbeth agreeing to be deceitful, hiding his true purpose.

Back 10

"False face must hide what the false heart doth knew"

Front 11

Act 1 Scene 5:

Lady Macbeth wishing for her femininity to be replaced with cruelty.

Back 11

"take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers"

Front 12

Act 1 Scene 5:

Lady Macbeth discussing fate's role in Macbeth becoming king.

Back 12

"Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal"

Front 13

Act 1 Scene 5:

Lady Macbeth talking about manipulating her husband, showing ambition.

Back 13

"That I may pour my spirits in thine ear, And chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round"

Front 14

Act 1 Scene 4:

Example of dramatic irony. Comment made by Duncan about trust just as Macbeth enters.

Back 14

"There's no art to find the mind's connection in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust"

Front 15

Act 1 Scene 3:

Macbeth saying he wants to accept his fate without disrupting the natural order of things.

Back 15

"If chance will have me king, why, chance shall crown me, Without my stir."

Front 16

Act 1 Scene 3:

Beginning of Macbeth soliloquy when he realises the Witches prophecies are coming true.

Back 16

"The supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill - cannot be good"

Front 17

Act 1 Scene 3:

Witches prophecies to Banquo.

Back 17

"Lesser than Macbeth, and greater, Not so happy, yet much happier, Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none."

Front 18

Act 1 Scene 2:

Army captain describing Banquo and Macbeth's bravery.

Back 18

"As sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion!"

Front 19

Act 1 Scene 2:

Praising Macbeth for defeating the Norweigian and the rebel thane of Cawdor.

(2 Quotes)

Back 19

"brave Macbeth"

"O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!"