Exploring Macbeth Quotes – Unpacking Their Meanings
Fair is foul, and foul is fair. – This quote highlights the theme of deception and appearances in the play, suggesting that things may not always be what they seem.
Double, double, toil and trouble. – This famous quote is spoken by the witches and emphasizes the theme of witchcraft and supernatural elements in the play.
Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires. – This quote reveals Macbeth’s guilty conscience and his desire to conceal his murderous intentions from the world.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say! – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks, representing her guilt and the impact of the murders they have committed.
Is this a dagger which I see before me? – This quote reflects Macbeth’s hallucinations and his descent into madness as he contemplates his immoral actions.
Out, out, brief candle! – This famous quote is spoken by Macbeth after he learns of Lady Macbeth’s death, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.
What’s done is done. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she tries to console Macbeth after Duncan’s murder, suggesting that there is no turning back from their actions.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles. – This quote highlights the theme of deception and betrayal, implying that people may have hidden motives behind their friendly appearances.
By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. – This quote foreshadows the arrival of evil and Macbeth’s descent into darkness.
The milk of human kindness. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she criticizes Macbeth for his perceived weakness and lack of ruthlessness.
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. – This quote conveys Macbeth’s nihilistic worldview and his belief that life is meaningless.
Unsex me here. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she asks to be stripped of her femininity in order to be more ruthless and capable of committing evil deeds.
Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here. – This quote is an extension of the previous quote, as Lady Macbeth calls upon supernatural powers to aid her in her quest for power.
All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. – This quote reveals Lady Macbeth’s guilt and her inability to wash away the stains of the murders she and her husband have committed.
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself. – This quote describes Macbeth’s excessive ambition, which ultimately leads to his downfall.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair. – This quote suggests that the line between good and evil is blurred and that appearances can be deceiving.
Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear things that sound so fair? – This quote reflects Banquo’s suspicion and unease regarding the witches’ prophecies and their supernatural abilities.
There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. – This quote suggests that one’s true intentions and thoughts cannot be discerned from their appearance or demeanor.
Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth and signifies her desire for Macbeth to appear innocent and virtuous while carrying out their evil plans.
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition. – This quote reveals Macbeth’s sole motivation for his actions and his lack of any moral compass.
Beware the ides of March. – This famous quote is spoken by the soothsayer, warning Julius Caesar of his impending death and foreshadowing the play’s tragic events.
O, full of scorpions is my mind. – This quote conveys Macbeth’s guilt and troubled conscience after committing Duncan’s murder.
What’s done cannot be undone. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she struggles with her guilt and the consequences of their actions.
It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood. – This quote highlights the theme of vengeance and the cycle of violence that Macbeth has set in motion.
I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; it weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash is added to her wounds. – This quote reflects the chaos and destruction that Macbeth’s tyrannical rule has brought upon Scotland.
I am in blood stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er. – This quote reveals Macbeth’s realization that he must continue on his violent path because there is no going back.
Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. – This quote expresses Macbeth’s nihilistic view of life and his belief that it is ultimately meaningless.
She should have died hereafter. – This quote is spoken by Macbeth upon learning of Lady Macbeth’s death and reflects his indifferent attitude towards her demise.
Fair is foul and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air. – This quote is spoken by the witches and reveals their twisted moral code and their desire to sow chaos.
It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. – This quote reflects the futility of life and suggests that our actions and existence have no lasting significance.
Life’s but a walking shadow. – This quote expands upon the previous quote and likens life to a fleeting and insubstantial shadow.
If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly. – This quote conveys Macbeth’s impatience and his desire to expedite the murder of Duncan.
A little water clears us of this deed. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she tries to convince herself that they can wash away their guilt with a simple act of cleansing.
The night has been unruly. – This quote describes the chaotic and supernatural events that occur on the night of Duncan’s murder.
Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness. – This quote reveals Lady Macbeth’s initial doubt in Macbeth’s ability to carry out their plan and her desire to harden his heart.
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. – This quote emphasizes the transient and fleeting nature of life, suggesting that we are all destined for death.
Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. – This quote conveys Macbeth’s nihilistic view of life and his belief that it is ultimately meaningless.
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition. – This quote reveals Macbeth’s sole motivation for his actions and his lack of any moral compass.
Is this a dagger which I see before me? – This quote reflects Macbeth’s hallucinations and his descent into madness as he contemplates his immoral actions.
Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth and signifies her desire for Macbeth to appear innocent and virtuous while carrying out their evil plans.
All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. – This quote reveals Lady Macbeth’s guilt and her inability to wash away the stains of the murders she and her husband have committed.
Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here. – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she calls upon supernatural powers to aid her in her quest for power.
There’s daggers in men’s smiles. – This quote highlights the theme of deception and betrayal, implying that people may have hidden motives behind their friendly appearances.
What’s done is done. – This quote suggests that there is no turning back from one’s actions and that one must accept the consequences.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day. – This quote reflects Macbeth’s despair and his belief that each day is filled with meaningless repetition.
The doubtful joy. – This quote describes the temporary happiness that Macbeth experiences after becoming king, which is overshadowed by his guilt and paranoia.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say! – This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks, representing her guilt and the impact of the murders they have committed. 48. Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires. – This quote reveals Macbeth’s guilty conscience and his desire to conceal his murderous intentions from the world. 49. Fair is foul, and foul is fair. – This quote highlights the theme of deception and appearances in the play, suggesting that things may not always be what they seem. 50. Double, double, toil and trouble. – This famous quote is spoken by the witches and emphasizes the theme of witchcraft and supernatural elements in the play.