QUOTES

Fair is foul, and foul is fair. –Witches, Act 1 Sc. 1

Hints at the fact that things are not as they seem in the world of the play (Appearance v Reality/ Supernatural)

If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me. –Macbeth, Act 1 Sc. 3

Indicates that Macbeth wanted to be king enough to take the situation into his own hands; he doesn’t believe that ‘chance’ will be enough to make this prophecy come true. (Ambition/ Fate)

Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires. –Macbeth, Act 1 Sc. 4

Here we see Macbeth asking that he evil intentions remain hidden until the deed is done. (Good v Evil/ Ambition/ Betrayal)

Come, you spirits…unsex me here –Lady Macbeth, Act 1 Sc. 5

Asking to have her femininity removed indicates that Lady Macbeth views being nurturing and caring as an obstacle to killing Duncan. (Masculine v Feminine/ Ambition/ Supernatural)

Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it. –Lady Macbeth, Act 1 Sc. 5

Here Lady Macbeth is explaining to Macbeth how to lie convincingly (Appearance v Reality/ Good v Evil/ Betrayal)

‘False face must hide what the false heart doth know’ — Macbeth, A.1 Sc.7  (Appearance v Reality/ Ambition)

‘A little water clears us of this deed’ — Lady Macbeth, Act 2 Sc.2  (Appearance v reality/ Guilt)

‘My hands are the colour of yours – but I shame to wear a heart so white!’ — Lady Macbeth, A2 Sc.2   (Masculine v feminine/ Ambition)

‘Beware Macduff’ — First Apparition, A.4 Sc.1

‘Be bloddy, bold and resolute!…none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.’ — Second Apparition, A.4 Sc.1

‘Be lion-mettled, proud and take no care’ — Third Apparition, A.4 Sc.1

Out, damned spot! out, I say! –Lady Macbeth, Act 5 Sc. 1

Here the burden of killing Duncan has caused Lady Macbeth to hallucinate signs of her own guilt. (Appearance v Reality/ Supernatural/ Good v Evil/Guilt)

It is a tale. Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing. –Macbeth, Act 5 Sc. 5

Consumed by despair, Macbeth realises that his life has become completely meaningless with out a moral code to guide his actions. (Good v Evil/ Ambition/ Appearance v Reality/Guilt)