Macbeth Quotes – Act 4

“By the pricking of my thumbs,Something wicked this way comes.” 1) Second Witch2) Hecate3) This shows that the witch can tell when something wicked is coming. This angers Macbeth, thus showing that he is now wicked
“How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags?” 1) Macbeth2) Witches3) Macbeth shows up to the witches wondering what they are up to
“I conjure you by that which you profess,” 1) Macbeth2) Witches3) Macbeth is concerned by what the witches know
“Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff.Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.” 1) First Apparition2) Macbeth3) This is a clue to his future. Saying that Macbeth needs to watch out for Macduff
“Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scornThe power of man, for none of woman bornShall harm Macbeth.” 1) Second Apparition2) Macbeth3) This shows that anyone born from a woman can not harm Macbeth
“Macbeth shall never vanquished be untilGreat Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane HillShall come against him.” 1) Third Apparition2) Macbeth3) Saying that Macbeth needs to have courage because Birnam Wood would have to travel the 12-mile distance to his castle
“I will be satisfied. Deny me this,And an eternal curse fall on you!” 1) Macbeth2) Witches3) Saying that if he is not satisfied, he will put a curse on the witches
“From this momentThe very firstlings of my heart shall beThe firstlings of my hand.” 1) Macbeth2) Himself3) He is saying that from now on, he will act on first sight, on his impulse
“I think our country sinks beneath the yoke.It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gashIs added to her wounds.” 1) Malcolm2) Macduff3) This shows that their country is very hurt. And with the “king” Macbeth, it will stay hurt
“I grant him bloody,Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sinThat has a name.” 1) Malcolm2) Macduff3) Malcolm is saying that Macbeth is a murderous person and that he is guilty of every sin known to man
“He has no children. All my pretty ones?Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?What, all my pretty chickens and their damAt one fell swoop?” 1) Macduff2) Malcolm and Ross3) Macbeth doesn’t have kids but Macduff does. He is saying that all of his kids and wife died by one swoop of Macbeth METAPHOR