Macbeth Quotes and Meanings Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

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

It was a result of good fortune.

It was achieved through hard work.

It was unearned. (correct)

It was achieved through witchcraft. (correct)

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

Some men are deceitful and have malicious intentions.

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'Out, damned spot! out, I say!'?

She feels guilty and tries to wash away the figurative blood of her actions.

Why did Lady Macbeth refrain from killing Duncan herself?

Because he resembled her father while he slept. Signup and view all the answers

Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth is too kind to commit murder.

True Signup and view all the answers

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

They can easily wash away the evidence of their crime. Signup and view all the answers

What advice does Lady Macbeth give regarding appearances?

To look innocent like a flower, but be deceitful like a serpent. Signup and view all the answers

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'unsex me here'?

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

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

They must find their courage to succeed. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth mean by 'All our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death'?

Past choices have led us to our doom. Signup and view all the answers

What is Macbeth's sentiment about Lady Macbeth's death?

She should have lived to an old age. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth assert about his actions in 'the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand'?

He will act on his instincts without hesitation. Signup and view all the answers

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

Violent actions lead to retribution. Signup and view all the answers

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

Appear innocent while concealing evil intentions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macbeth mean by 'Let not light see my black and deep desires'?

He wishes to hide his evil thoughts from the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the dagger Macbeth imagines?

It symbolizes the murder he is about to commit. Signup and view all the answers

What metaphor does Macbeth use to describe life?

Life is like a walking shadow, a brief actor. Signup and view all the answers

What does Macduff mean when he says he was 'untimely ripp'd'?

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

What do the witches mean by 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'?

Not everything good is what it seems. 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 the powerful quotes from Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' and their meanings through these flashcards. Each card highlights key dialogues and interpretations, allowing for deeper understanding of the characters and themes within the play.