Key Quotes from Macbeth

Questions and Answers

What does Banquo imply about Macbeth's rise to power?

He may have committed evil deeds to become king. (correct)

He achieved it through honorable means.

He does not fear consequences.

He is king because of the witches' predictions. (correct)

What does Donalbain mean by 'There's daggers in men's smiles'?

People appear friendly but are actually deceitful and violent.

What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'Out, damned spot!'?

She is expressing her guilt over the murders in her mind.

What does Lady Macbeth imply about her morality in the quote regarding Duncan?

She would have killed Duncan if he didn't resemble her father. Signup and view all the answers

What concern does Lady Macbeth express about Macbeth's nature?

She fears he is too kind to commit murder. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'A little water clears us of this deed'?

She believes they can easily wash away the guilt of their crime. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Macbeth advise Macbeth to do in 'Look like the innocent flower'?

She tells him to appear innocent while hiding their true intentions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Macbeth wish for in 'unsex me here'?

She wants to rid herself of feminine weakness to commit cruel deeds. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'But screw your courage to the sticking-place'?

She is urging Macbeth to be brave, assuring him they will succeed. Signup and view all the answers

What significance does Macbeth's quote 'All our yesterdays have lighted fools' convey?

It suggests that past decisions lead to inevitable doom. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth mean by 'She should have died hereafter'?

He believes Lady Macbeth should have lived longer and died naturally. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth's declaration regarding 'the firstlings of my heart' signify?

He intends to act on his impulses without hesitation. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth mean by 'They say, blood will have blood'?

Violent actions will lead to more violence and revenge. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth imply by 'False face must hide what false heart doth know'?

He believes they must pretend to be innocent despite their wrongdoing. Signup and view all the answers

What is Macbeth's desire when he says 'Let not light see my black and deep desires'?

He wishes for his evil thoughts to remain hidden from the divine. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth envision when he asks 'Is this a dagger which I see before me'?

He imagines a dagger symbolizing the murder he is about to commit. Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor does Macbeth use when he says 'Life's but a walking shadow'?

He compares life to an actor with a fleeting existence. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macduff mean by 'Macduff was from his mother's womb untimely ripp'd'?

He was born through a cesarean section. Signup and view all the answers

What does the witches' phrase 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair' imply?

Not everything good is truly good; evil can appear good. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Quotes and Meanings from Macbeth

Banquo’s Reflection on Macbeth’s Rise
- Acknowledges Macbeth’s fulfillment of the witches' prophecies: King, Cawdor, Glamis.
- Implies suspicion that Macbeth engaged in treachery to achieve his status.
Donalbain’s Insight on Deceit
- Highlights the danger of those who appear friendly while concealing malicious intentions.
Lady Macbeth’s Guilt
- Expresses her overwhelming guilt post-murder, symbolized by the impossible act of washing away blood.
Lady Macbeth’s Moral Hesitation
- Indicates a boundary she is hesitant to cross; her father's resemblance prevents her from killing Duncan.
Lady Macbeth's Concern for Macbeth's Nature
- Expresses doubt that Macbeth possesses the ruthlessness needed to commit murder.
Lady Macbeth's Rationalization Post-Murder
- Assures Macbeth that they can easily wash away the crime, showcasing her initial confidence.
Lady Macbeth’s Deceptive Instruction
- Encourages Macbeth to mask their evil intentions by projecting innocence.
Lady Macbeth's Invocation of Cruelty
- Seeks to shed her femininity for the strength to commit murder, reflecting her ambition.
Lady Macbeth’s Call for Courage
- Urges Macbeth to muster his bravery to ensure their plan succeeds.
Macbeth on the Weight of Regret
- Reflects on how past actions have led to inevitable demise; uses candle imagery to signify the fragility of life.
Macbeth’s Acceptance of Lady Macbeth’s Fate
- Suggests that Lady Macbeth deserved a natural death, reflecting his sense of tragedy.
Macbeth’s Instinctive Decision-Making
- Declares that he will act on impulse from now on, abandoning careful deliberation.
Macbeth on the Cycle of Violence
- Acknowledges that acts of violence provoke further reprisals, suggesting a never-ending cycle of revenge.
Macbeth’s Internal Masking of Evil
- Recognizes the necessity of disguising one’s true intentions despite the wickedness behind them.
Macbeth’s Dark Desires
- Wishes to keep his malevolent thoughts hidden from good and divine judgment.
Macbeth’s Dagger Vision
- Confronts his hallucination of a dagger, symbolizing his acceptance of murder as imminent.
Macbeth’s Life Metaphor
- Compares life to a fleeting theatrical performance, emphasizing its transient nature and existential irony.
Macduff’s Unique Birth
- Reveals Macduff’s unconventional birth through cesarean section, illustrating his unique fate in the play.
Witches’ Paradox
- "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" encapsulates the theme of moral ambiguity; appearances can be deceiving.

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Description

Explore significant quotes and their meanings from Shakespeare's Macbeth. This quiz delves into character reflections, themes of guilt, and deception, providing insights into the moral dilemmas faced by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Test your understanding of how these quotes capture the essence of ambition and treachery in the play.