Macbeth Quotes + explanation

“is this a dagger which i see before me…” Macbeth – Act 2 scene 1 soliloquy ( the act of speaking ones thoughts)shows macbeth’s insanitiymay symbolise the throne itself: macbeth sees it but cannot grasp it.
” things without all remedy should be without regard: whats done, is done” lady Macbeth – Act 3 scene 2theres no changing the past so get over it she try’s to treat his hallucinations and she says these lines to her husband in an effort to make him get over it after experiencing Duncan’s murder.
” Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” Lady Macbeth – Act 5 scene 1 (lady Macbeth sleepwalking) seeking to rid her soul of guiltShe is traumatised and guilt-ridden this is a sharp contrast to her statement to macbeth where she said ” a little water cleans us of this deed” knowing that she was the prime force that led Macbeth to this murderous path, her guilt dominates her thoughts.
” Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?… making the green one red” Macbeth – Act 2 scene 2 Hyperbole ( exaggerated statements) Macbeth determines that all of the water in the ocean can’t wash away whats he’ done he can’t make himself clean again. The Hyperbole shows the differences in reactions between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
” Methought i heard a voice cry ‘sleep no more! Macbeth doth murder sleep — the innocent sleep” Macbeth -Act 2 scene 2 Metaphor used to further emphasize his frustration and guilt. ” Balm and hurt minds, great natures second course, chief nourisher in a feast” – vivid imagery shows that sleep to Macbeth is not a necessity of life, but something that makes life worth living and he feels that when he murdered Duncan while he slept that he murdered the meaning of life.
” Tomorrow and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this pretty pace from day to day” Macbeth – Act 5 scene 5 Soliloquy Macbeth plays the protagonist, he is confident that he can withstand any siege from Malcolm’s forces He hears the cry of a women and reflects that there would of been a time when his hair would have stood on end if he had heard such a cry but he’s full of horrors and slaughterous thoughts that it no longer startles him.
” Yet i do fear thy nature , it is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way” Lady Macbeth – Act 1 scene 5 Soliloquy/ Personification/ Imagery Lady Macbeth reads a letter by Macbeth about the witches Here she decides that together they need to murder Duncan to achieve the throne. Imagery – meant to show how she views him as a child who needs to be guided Personification – Personifying his nature as too gentle to reach the top.
” Stars hide your fire, let not light see my black and deep desires…” Macbeth – Act 1 scene 4 personification/ Apostrophe (figure of speech) Macbeth asked the stars not to burn so bright as to let people see his evil desires (killing Duncan)
“out damn’d spot i say” Lady Macbeth – Act 5 (sleep walking) outward manifestation of her guilt after the murder of Duncan – as it was her fault.
” Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised” Lady Macbeth – Act 1 scene 5soliloquy She is perfectly aware of her own power and the influence that she possesses over the weaknesses of her husband.
” We fail!But screw your courage to the sticking pint and we’ll not fail” lady Macbeth – Act 1 Scene 7Shakespeare shows how she’s completely overcome by her loftly determination and how she plans everything- he must follow.
” i have no sir to prick the sides of my intent but only vaulting ambition which o’er leaps itself, and falls on the other” Macbeth – Act 1 scene 7 Macbeth is being honest with himself and admits that there is o good reason to kill Duncan.