Macbeth Quotes

• Is this a dagger which I see before me?
• What does this quote represent Macbeths feelings as?

  He feels guilty about wanting to kill King Duncan but he hallucinates about a dagger
• Vaulting Ambition
• What does "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting Ambition" mean?

  Macbeth is trying to say his ambition will lead him down the wrong path, he will "overcommit" or "overjump" like a horse. But a horse needs a rider. and that rider is Lady Macbeth who is his Hamartia who will then lead to his downfall and death.
• Fill in the gaps

  "Let not light see my dark and deep desires"
• What is Macbeth trying to say about his desires?

  Even before meeting Lady Macbeth about the prophecy the witches gave him, Macbeth is already having thoughts about heinous things, such as killing King Duncan, this is before he is consumed by his ambition and let's it pull him in and drown him
• Fill in the gaps

  "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand"
• What is Macbeth trying to say about his guilt from the blood on his hands?

  "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?" Macbeth questions himself, the blood is a metaphor for guilt, Macbeth will always have guilt on his hands, and it will consume him, Macbeth's guilt is "all consuming" is what we could say. From this moment Macbeth becomes emotionless.
• What does Macbeth mean by "Heat Oppressed brain"?

  It describes his negative mental state. it is an oxymoron to how macbeth knows the supernatural is controlling him but he STILL lets it happen and kills king duncan
• What does the term "oppress" imply in Macbeth's context?

  It suggests control and negative authority.
• Why does Macbeth try to control his negative thoughts?

  He fears feeling guilty if he doesn't.
• How does the word "heat" function in Macbeth's description?

  It describes the transformation of his brain.
• What analogy does Macbeth use to describe his brain's transformation?

  Like applying heat to metals or food.
• What does "Oppressed Brain" signify in terms of free will?

  It contrasts free will with negative control.
• How does Macbeth's guilt relate to his character transformation?

  It leads him to become the opposite of himself.
• What role might the supernatural play in Macbeth's thoughts?

  It could be persuading his ambition negatively.
• What is the significance of the oxymoron "Oppressed Brain"?

  It highlights the conflict between free will and oppression.
• How does Macbeth's character change due to guilt?

  He becomes a complete opposite of himself.
• What is a soliloquy in the context of Macbeth?

  A speech revealing a character's thoughts.
• How does ambition affect Macbeth's character development?

  It drives him towards destructive choices.
• In what way does guilt influence Macbeth's decisions?

  It causes him to act irrationally and violently.
• What supernatural elements influence Macbeth's psyche?

  The witches' prophecies and visions.