Macbeth

• 'Valiant cousin' 'Worthy gentlement' 'noble Macbeth'

  'Brave Macbeth...., with his brandished steel which smoked with bloody execution Like valor's minion carved out his passage' through the carnage

  • Through the perspective and voices of esteemed men, in the beginning of the play Macbeth is percieved as a renowned hero, a saviour/ messiah and an unstoppable force of good as he fights for his king and country.
  • Verb - Dehumanises his enemies + reduces them to mere obstacles Macbeth must cut down - hints at his apathy to murder.
  • Hyperbole - Creates gory image of his sword emitting fumes of death as he leaves a trail of corpes = a testament to his strength, honour and patriotism.
  • Ideal soldier where violence is pragmatically moral as he is protrcting his country.
• Idolised as 'Bellona's bridegroom' 'he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements', 'bath[ing] in reeking wounds' as if he wanted to 'memorise another golgotha'

  • Metaphor hails Macbeth as the God of war, praising him for his visciousness and savagery on the battlefield.
  • Semantic field of gratuitous violence - Indicative of his intrinsically violent nature.
  • Excessive to the extent he transgresses the pretense of defending his country but instead his innate desire to be honoured and glorified takes priority.
  • Foreshadows Macbeth's furure flippancy and inclination towards murder to satiate his yearning for glory/power.
• 'So foul and fair a day I have not seen'

  • Echos the witches - Foreshadows the influence the witches will have on Macbeth and their contaminating attributes.
  • Oxymoron + Paradoxical language - The ambiguity hints to the theme of apearance vs reality which can be deceptive
  • Nature is in discord - foreshdowing the disruption of the balance of nature as Macbeth is about to encounter the witches.
  • As if nature is warning him against the influence of witches whilst Macbeth is fooled by their seemingly enticing yet deceptive nature.
• 'Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more' 'would they have stayed'

  • Imperative Command – Macbeth uses a forceful command, showing urgency and a desire for control. This reveals how quickly the witches' words have gripped him—he wants answers and power over his fate.
  • Epithets - The phrase reflects the witches’ cryptic and mysterious nature. Macbeth acknowledges their ambiguity, yet still demands more, showing his growing obsession with their prophecy.
  • Is at first skeptical yet curious, enticed and enchanted
• 'hail,most worthy thane, for it is thine' 'Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?'

  • Dramatic Irony - The audience is disillusioned by the power of the witches as they already know about Macbeths promotion.
  • However, in the perspective of Macbeth, Ross immediatley coming with the news of Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor legitimises the witches.
  • This is the trigger at which Macbeth comes under the witches' thrall and control as he becomes eager for the rest of the prophecies to realise.
• 'Cannot be ill, Cannot be good' '

  • Acknowledges that consorting with the witches is against nature and antural order.
  • Paradox in aside shows Macbeth's internal conflict as he debates accepting such good news for a source of evil.
• Plagued with 'horrible imaginnings' 'Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs against the use of nature'

  'Whose murder is yet fantastical shakes so my single state of man'

  • Mind immediately goes to commiting regicde.
  • His even slight consideration at such a grotesque act shows the lengths he willl go to due to his currently dormant ambition.
  • Personification - Macbeth's physiological and physocholigical selves are having visceral reactions emphasising the internal horror and fear for the evil thought of regicide - a testament to his loyalty and vestiges of a moral compass.
  • Internal conflict.
• 'Stars hide your fires; Let night not see my deep and black desires.'


  • Metaphor - describes his ambition as something dark and sinister, suggesting a moral corruption.
  • Personification - Wants to operate in darkness as doesn’t want to witness his own corruption and villainy.
  • Apostrophe - Attempts to directly command nature - shows his arrogance, desperation and hubris.
  • Might represent the gods or the heavens - Macbeth doesn’twant them to see his sins, in the hopes that he will still be blessed by them and have salvation.
  • The duality between light and dark is a symbol for the conflict between Macbeth’s conscience, or moral compass, and his ambition.
• 'The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, / Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”


  • Synecdoche - “eye” represents Macbeth’s consciousness or awareness - his mind - while the “hand” represents his actions and reality.
  • He wants to turn a blind eye to his ownmurderous deeds.
  • Despite it being what “the eye fears”, he wants it to be “done”.
  • This paradox causes a lot of tension and tragedy for Macbeth
  • Shows his internal conflict as his conciousness does not want to see the act due to his moral compass yet his ambition dominates.
• 'my dearest partner in greatness'

  • Superlative - Signifies the closeness of their relationship Lady Macbeth is the most important person in his life. - later it becomes the witches.
  • Equality and Respect: The phrase suggests that Macbeth sees Lady Macbeth as his equal, someone he respects and relies on. 
  • Shared Ambition: It underscores their shared desire for power and the fact that they will work together to achieve their goals. 
  • Future Partnership in Crime: The phrase foreshadows Lady Macbeth's role in Macbeth's downfall, as she will become his partner in the murder of King Duncan. 
  • A stark contrast to the later deterioration of their relationship, as Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid and Lady Macbeth is cast aside.
• 'If it were done when 'tis done, then twere well it were done quickly.'

  'If the assassination could trammel up the consequence'

  • Bargaining - trying to rationalise
  • Ambiguity of pronoun it is to separate himself from the thought of the deed as he does not want to
  • Wants to assassinate but does not want to face the consequences after.
  • Perhaps his confliction against the regicide is not due to his moral compass but due to cowardice as he fears the judgement in this life and after.
• 'teach bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th' inventor'

  • Foreshadows the tragic events that unfold in the play, as Macbeth's actions lead to his own demise and the downfall of those around him. 
  • Shows Macbeth's conscience and his awareness of the potential for judgment and punishment for his actions due to karma. - Violence breeds violence.
• 'He's here in double trust' 'I am his kinsman and his subject' ' As his host, who should against his murderer shut the door not bear the knife myself'

  • His responsibility as a soldier is to lay down his life for the king , not take it himself.
  • Has a responsibility as host - breaking this makes him despicable.
  • Going against unspoken social covenants = Trecherous
• 'I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other '

  • He has no valid reason to kill Duncan but his ambition and greed for power.
  • He describes his ambition as "vaulting," meaning it is excessive and reckless, like a horse leaping over an obstacle without regard for the consequences which could lead to a disatrous fall.
  • '[enter Lady Macbeth]'
  • Extended Metaphor - Whilst Macbeth is the horse, Lady Macbeth is the rider which drives him to his destination using pain as motivation - her verbal abuse.
  • He is her tool for social elevation.
• 'We will proceed no further in this business.'

  • Uses euphemism as the deed is unspeakable and detestable.
  • Declarative sentence - Air of authority to demand his wife to stop - however his word holds no value against his wife - she emmasculates him and changes his mind.
  • He has weak resolve unlike that of a true man
  • He does this as he 'have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people' - Shows how he acts for his reputation and the approval of others.
• 'Prithee, peace: I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none.'

  • Not masculine - begs his wife instead of demanding authority.
  • Red herring - seems Macbeth will stand his ground and not commit regicide but Lady Macbeth's manipulatin seems to have the power to change his will.
  • Retrospectively ironic as he does commit regicide - thus he is not a man.
• 'If we should fail?' 'I am settled'

  • As if an infant, Macbeth needs reassurance and support to comit to anything.
  • Shows how he relise on Lady Macbeth as his support system -he needs her.
  • Highlights the contrasting personalities and motivations of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, with Macbeth's conscience struggling against Lady Macbeth's unwavering determination. 
• 'False face must hide what the false heart doth know'

  Appearance vs reality - Ambiguity - can trust anyone
• 'A dagger of the mind ....proceeding from the heat oppressed brain'

  'It is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes'

  • Connotes a fever - ambition is a disease where guilt is a fatal symptom as it slowly breaks down your being
  • Metaphor - manifestation of Macbeth's inner turmoil, representing his ambition and the guilt he feels about the impending murder. 
  • Foreshadows Macbeth's descent into madness and paranoia, as he becomes increasingly consumed by his guilt and paranoia. 
  • Presents guilt as instense psychological warfare that makes reality crumble.
  • Mental illnesses like the psychosis Macbeth is experiencing was understood then - instead it would have been thought Macbeth is possessed. -Perhaps he is due to his allignment with the witches.
• 'I had most need of blessing, and ''Amen'' stuck in my throat'

  • Metaphor - Reveals Macbeth's profound guilt and spiritual turmoil after murdering King Duncan, highlighting his desperate need for forgiveness and the inability of his conscience to allow him to pray as he is no longer a holy man
  • Has committed the most sacriligious crime thus the heavens have fosaken him.
  • Cant have the blessings of the heavens as he has killed God's representative.
• Sleep is the 'Balm of hurt minds' and 'Chief nourisher in life's feast' however ''Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more'

  • Personification of sleep as a living entity further portrays Macbeth as a murderer and emphasises the severity of his actions.
  • However he is a self destroyer as he has murdered his own peace due to guilt.
  • Metaphor - Sleep is a powerful symbol of peace, innocence, a clear conscience in the play and an escape from the troubles of reality. 
  •  Macbeth's inability to sleep, therefore, reflects his profound guilt and the psychological torment he experiences after murdering Duncan.
• 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?'

  • Hyperbole - expresses the enormity and severity of his crime.
  • The blood symbolises guilt and the consequences of Macbeth's actions - he imagines such a vast body of water being unable to cleanse him - emphasising the depth of his remorse and the lasting impact of his crime. 
  • The question reflects Macbeth's desperation to cleanse himself of his crime - as if he wants to be baptised to be absolved of his sins.
  • Reveals the psychological toll of Macbeth's actions and his descent into madness and paranoia. 
• 'All is but toys' 'The wine of life is drawn, and the mere less is left this vault to brag of''stabs looked like a breach in nature' 'Th' expedition of my violent love'

  • Ironic - Pretends that the death of Duncan causes him to be nihilistic but it eventually does cause him to be.
  • Metaphor - Compares Duncan to be the sweet part of life and without him life is empty.
• 'Our fears in Banquo stick deep' 'There's none but he whose being do I fear' 'Under him my genius is rebuked' 'as it is Mark was by Caesar'

  • Metaphor - Emphasises the intensity and enduring impression his anxiety has on him.
  • Has an inferiority complex - perhaps as he knows he does not deserve the throne and Banquo is more noble than he is due to his 'Royalty of nature' - acknowledged by his underlying guilt and moral compass.
  • Historical allusion- Reveals Macbeth's growing paranoia and insecurity after his ascent to power.
  • No amount of poer will satiate his fractured self image.
• 'Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown and put a barren scepter in my grip' 'Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand'

  • Metaphors create the image of how his kingship is empty - perhaps as he is not the rigtful king and no one respects him as such.
  • Expresses his frustration at the misleading of the witches.
  • Ironic and hypocritical - Macbeth unrightfully stole the crown .
• 'mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man'

  • Symbolises Macbeth's soul, the most precious and valuable possession, which he now believes he has forfeited. 
  • Alludes that he has made a pact with the devil, or the forces of evil, in exchange for power and the crown. 
  • Reflects Macbeth's growing sense of guilt and the realization that his ambition has led him down a dark path, resulting in the loss of his soul and eternal damnation. 
  • Underscores the play's exploration of the corrupting nature of ambition and the dangers of unchecked power, as Macbeth's pursuit of the throne has led to his downfall. 
• 'We have scorched the snake, not killed it'

  • The "snake" is a metaphor for the threat to Macbeth's kingship, particularly the witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants, not Macbeth's, will inherit the throne. 
  • Reveals his growing fear and paranoia, as he recognizes that the threat, though wounded, remains dangerous and capable of causing further harm. 
  • Reveals the perpetual nature of violence and murder - violence breeds violence.
  • Macbeth's paranoia triggers the endless cycle of killing - will not end until he is dead.
• 'Oh, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife'

  • Metaphor - representins Macbeth's internal turmoil, specifically his guilt and the torment of his conscience. 
  • Assonance - Reflects Macbeth's anguish as if he is groaning in pain.
  • Reveal the psychological toll of his actions, demonstrating that his thirst for power has led to a state of mental anguish and instability. 
  • Foreshadows Macbeth's later vision of Banquo's ghost in Act 3, Scene 4, further emphasizing his guilt and paranoia. 
  • dear wife" juxtaposes the image of a tormenting mind with the love and comfort of his wife. 
• 'Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck'

  • Previously relied on Lady Macbeth's strength and ambition, now seems to be distancing himself from her and taking on a more independent role in the planning and execution of his actions. 
  • The term of endearment is an indicator of this shift - suggests that Macbeth no longer views Lady Macbeth as a partner in crime, but rather as someone to be manipulated and kept in the dark.
  • Macbeth's descent into tyranny leads him to isolate himself from those around him, even his wife. 
  • Perhaps he does not want her to feel the horrors he experiences - is protecting her as he loves her.
• 'Come seeling night, scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day'

  'Good things of the day begin to droop and drowse; Whiles night's black agents to their preys do rouse'

  • Appearance vs. Reality: Macbeth wants to create an appearance of innocence while engaging in a heinous act.
  • Darkness and Evil: The use of "night" and "scarf up" reinforces the association of darkness with evil and deception.
  • Light represents good conscience and moral judgement.
  • Lady Macbeth also uses similar language earlier in the play, calling on "thick night" to cover her own evil deeds, highlighting the shared ambition and darkness of the couple.
• '[Enter the ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth's place]' 'this is the very painting of your fear'

  • Metaphor - Banquo's ghost is a visual manifestation of Macbeth's conscience, guilt and fear, haunting him with the memory of his friend's murder and the broader consequences of his ambition. 
  • Dramatic irony - in the perspective of others macbeth is insane, further discrediting him as the rightful king.
  • Ironically foreshadows the future as Banquo's descendants will inherit the throne.
  • The banquet scene, a symbol of Macbeth's power and authority, becomes a stage for his downfall, as the ghost's appearance exposes his true nature and the moral decay of his reign. 
• 'What man dare, I dare'

  • Repetition of "dare," emphasizes Macbeth's willingness to confront any danger or challenge, even those that might seem impossible or terrifying. 
  • Macbeth's words are a direct challenge to the supernatural forces that are haunting him, particularly the ghost of Banquo. 
  • The line is ironic because, despite Macbeth's bravado, he is clearly shaken by the appearance of the ghost and his actions are far from manly. 
  • Lady Macbeth, who is also present at the banquet, is appalled by Macbeth's behavior and his apparent fear, and she scolds him for acting like a woman rather than a man. 
• 'Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves shall never tremble'

  • Male bravado - claims he can battle anything - boasting his strength to impress others - or to perhaps convince and reassure himself of his status as he is insecure.
  • Macbeth cowers under the projections of his guilt and insecurity, proving his power to be simply a facade.
• 'How now, you secret, black and midnight hags?' 'Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you'

  • Reveals his descent into tyranny and his growing contempt for the supernatural forces he once relied on, showcasing his increased recklessness, self-interest and arrogance.
  • Insulting epithet, demonstrates his transformation into a harsh and aggressive ruler.
  • The witches, who were once figures of power and mystery, are now reduced to "hags," shows Macbeth's dehumanization of those around him as he becomes more consumed by his ambition. 
  • Suggests he no longer fears or respects them, but rather views them as tools to be manipulated. 
  • Macbeth's willingness to unleash chaos and destruction to get his answers highlights the destructive nature of his ambition and his growing disregard for order and morality. 
• '[Thunder, First Apparition: an armed head]' 'Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff'


  • The stage direction "Thunder" accompanies the appearance of the apparition, adding to the dramatic and ominous atmosphere. 
  • Repition + exclamatory sentences - Encapsulate urgency as this is vital for Macbeth's life - yet he does not take heed due to arrogance.
  • Some interpretations suggest the armed head could symbolize Macbeth's own head, foreshadowing his beheading by Macduff. 
• '[Thunder, second apparition: a bloody child]'

  'Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laught to scorn the power of man, for none woman born shall harm Macbeth'

  • Encourages Macbeth to be violent, courageous, and unwavering in his actions - inflates his ego.
  • Shows the misleading nature of the witches- the prophecies seemingly absolute guarantee of Macbeth's invulnerability. - triggers his hubris which causes his tragic end
• 'Thou shalt not live'

  • Incorrect bible quote - thou shalt not kill.
  • Shows how Macbeth is blaphemous and plays God.
  • Shows how Macbeth is sinful as he does not follow the laws of God nor the divine chain of being.
  • Monosylabic words - Becomes more flippant and apathetic towards murder = moral decay
  • Shows a significant shift in Macbeth's character. He has become a ruthless tyrant, driven by fear and ambition.
• '[Thunder. Third Apparition: a child crowned, with a tree in his hand]'

  'Be lion-mettled, proud and take no care'

  'Macbeth shall never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood comes to high Dunsinane Hill.'

  • uses the imagery of a lion, a symbol of courage and strength, to encourage Macbeth to be fearless and bold. 
  • Witches cruelly fuel Macbeth's hubris to lead to his doom.
  • Apparition is ironic - foretelling of the destruction of Macbeth's kingship, rather than reinforcing its stability as Macbeth perceives it to be. 'That will never be'
  • In Macbeth's persepective each is impossible, thus he associates with this that his death is impossible and he is invincible.
  • Metaphor of a "child crowned, with a tree in his hand" could also be representative of Banquo's son, Fleance, carrying forth the family "tree", foreshadowing him fulfilling the witches prophecy at the beginning of the play that Banquo "shall have kings".
• 'Sweet bodements! Good!' 'Yet my heart throbs to know one thing....shall Banquo's issue ever reign in this kingdom?'

  • Positive epithet+ exclamatory sentence - Positive uplifted tone of speech and mood and his boosted ego and sense of invincibility.
  • In stark contrast, Macbeth quickly changes to being paranoid and fearful, wanting to know whether Banquo's lineage will gain the throne.
  • Through this, Shakespeare emphasises Macbeth's internal conflict and unstable state of mind as conflicting emotions of confidence and paranoia interchange rapidly.
  • He is constantly plagued by paranoia, his fear blighting any sense of fleeting stability and happiness he feels.
• 'Macbeth shall live the lease of nature'

  • Ironically believes he is safe - false sense of security
  • However due to his corruption and going against the great chain of being - nature is not on Macbeth's side.
  • The disruption of nature will be balance by Macbeth's death.