Questions and Answers
What does Macbeth mean by 'Stars hide your fires'?
Which phrase illustrates the witches' contradictory nature?
What metaphor does Lady Macbeth use to describe her influence over Macbeth?
She compares him to an innocent flower while hiding a serpent within.
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'What's done cannot be undone'?
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In Macbeth's reflection, what does the 'brief candle' symbolize?
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What theme is represented in Macbeth's line 'False face must hide what the false heart doth know'?
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What does the line 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair' suggest about Macbeth's world?
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In Macbeth's view, what does 'Who dares do more, is none' imply?
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Study Notes
Macbeth Quotes Overview
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"Stars hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires."
- Macbeth expresses a desire to conceal his ambition for the throne, suggesting he would commit murder to fulfill it.
- The phrase uses personification to ask the stars for darkness while metaphorically describing his evil ambitions as "black and deep."
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"Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble!"
- Highlights the witches' ability to deliver messages with dual meanings, suggesting themes of contradiction and foreboding.
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"Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it."
- Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to appear innocent while harboring malicious intent, illustrating her manipulative character.
- The metaphor contrasts the purity of flowers with the treachery of serpents, showcasing her belief in deceptive appearances.
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"What's done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed!"
- Lady Macbeth confronts her guilt, symbolized by bloody hands, emphasizing her psychological turmoil and weariness.
- This line signifies the irreversible nature of their actions and the burden of guilt that both characters experience.
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"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow..."
- After Lady Macbeth's suicide, Macbeth reflects on life's transience, comparing it to a candle that soon extinguishes.
- He describes life as insignificant, likening it to an ineffective actor, which critiques the notion of purpose and reality.
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"False face must hide what the false heart doth know."
- Macbeth acknowledges the need for deception as he plans Duncan's murder, embodying the theme of appearance versus reality.
- This quote reflects his inner conflict and the duplicity required to maintain his façade while harboring treacherous intentions.
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"Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through fog and filthy air."
- This paradox suggests a world turned upside down, where moral norms are inverted, a central theme throughout the play.
- It encapsulates the witches' influence and foreshadows the moral confusion and chaos that will ensue.
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"I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more, is none."
- Macbeth's assertion reflects his struggle with masculinity and moral limits; he believes in acting within honorable bounds.
- His eventual choice to murder Duncan contradicts this belief, highlighting the tragic consequences of ambition and loss of identity.
Each quote serves to enhance the play’s exploration of ambition, deception, and the moral disintegration of its characters, chiefly Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
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Description
Enhance your understanding of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' with these flashcards featuring key quotes from the play. Each card delves into the meaning and context of a significant line, helping you grasp the complex themes and character motivations. Perfect for students and literature enthusiasts alike.
