Act 1 Scene 2 - Quotes

• “What bloody man is that?” - Duncan


  portrays the captain as trustworthy and a testament to heroic deeds, also foreshadowing the violence to come
• “merciless Macdonwald” - Captain


  uses alliteration to foreshadow what Macbeth will become, potentially adopting barbaric and callous ways
• “multiplying villainies of nature” - Captain


  metaphor for how violence and villainy is everywhere
• “Showed like a rebel’s whore.” - Captain


  simile, fit to be a traitor
• ”But all’s too weak; For brave Macbeth” - Captain


  uses an epithet to portray Macbeth as omnipotent and superior in battle, providing an anticipation to be introduced to him in the play
• “Disdaining Fortune” - Captain


  presents Macbeth as ignoring fate and as having determination even when the odds are against him
• “with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution” - Captain


  Macbeth’s sword could not cool down due to his rapid killing spree
• “Valour’s minion, carved out his passage” - Captain


  living embodiment of bravery, killed all in his path with ease
• ”unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops” - Captain


  bizarre, implements an idea of a violent patriarchal society where violence is praised and masculinity is proven via battle
• “fixed his head upon our battlements” - Captain


  foreshadowment
• “Dismayed not this our captains” - Duncan


  concern and fear would be expected
• “as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion.” - Captain


  uses zoomorphia to present the regal strength of Macbeth and Banquo against the replenished army
• “As cannons overcharged with double cracks, So they doubly redoubled strokes” - Captain


  emphasising dual strength and a relentless attack via repetition
• “bathe in reeking wounds“ - Captain


  lots of blood and death
• “God save the King” - Ross


  irony
• “What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won.”- Duncan


  paradox and an epithet used to display a reversal in fortunes and to foreshadow their underlying similarities further down the line
• “Go, pronounce his present death” - Duncan


  brutality, patriarchal aggression