Quotes

• "Brave Macbeth/Well he deserves that name"-Ross, Act 1 scene 2


  -Macbeth is seen from a very high regard by the king and the peoplpe from the begining

  -he 'deserves' it-->fighting for the king as a worthy, valiant soldier, NOT self proclaimed.

  -Masculinity in Jacobean Era

  -->Shows royalties were terrible judges of character-Old thane of Cawdor betrays him, so does Macbeth-men judged upon bravery not values, honesty, trust. Brave=measuring stick

  -Foreshadows=brave on the battlefield butt also daring + courageous, willing to do things others don't, brave in life. Hence he becomes king
• 'noble partner'-Banquo, Act 1 scene 3


  -princible of rule=strength

  -highly renowned

  -leaves the audience with the imperession he is respected
• 'vaulting ambition'-MACBETH Act 1 scene 7

  -recognises himself

  -only reason to commit regicide

  -weak

  -Ambition is a powerfull force capable of greatness(motivate noble deeds) and destruction (greed + desire=downfall)
• 'Let not light see my black and deep desires'-MACBETH Act 1 scene 4


  -'light'- metaphor for God, people

  -Dark desires before he sees Lady Macbeth-->thinking of killing the king , already influenced-power of supernatural-->but catalyst is is when he meets the witches

  -'deep'-it's part of him, stuck
• "When thou durst to do it, then you were a man"-Lady Macbeth Act 1 scene 7


  -danger of patriarchy, it oppresses man, they had to be brave, courageous in the eyes of wife-Lady Macbeth plays upon that, calls him a coward, tips macbeth over the edge, to prove his masculinity to his wife and fit in society, doesn't consider him manly enough
• "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand "- MACBETH Act 2 scene 2


  -killed duncan- brave man used to kiling has blood on his hands

  -blood-metaphor for guilt, follows him, used tol killing for the right reason

  -first time he commits a bad deed he feels guilty but then he does it again and again and by that time he doesn't feel guilty

  -act 5 scene 1 Lady Macbeth trying to wash her hands--IRONIC, she becomes like this

  -directly alludes Greek God 'Neptune', God of sea, aware no amount of water can purify his permamently stained soul
• "Out, out brief candle!Life's but a walking shadow"-MACBETH Act 5 scene 2


  -'brief candle'-metaphor for life, moment of realisation-->'candle' considers his morality, if lit it will burn either you blow it out or naturally die, the wax finishes, candle dies when macduff beheads him.

  -'life's like a walking shadow'- yolu can never catch it, always chasing+ wanting more, constant persue=symbolises power ambition, kingship, respect

  questioning if it was all worth it sign of regret + contemplation