Macbeth quotes

•  “look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” -LM

  Lady Macbeth uses the imperative to command Macbeth to 'look' and even to 'be' as though it is as if she controls him like a puppet, and this dangerous female power would be particularly disturbing for Shakespeare’s audience. The imagery of the ‘serpent’ evokes the devil, linking Lady Macbeth to supernatural evil and manipulation, juxtaposed with the ‘innocent flower’ which they pretend to be, showing the theme of appearances and reality.
• 'We have scorched the snake, not killed it;' -M

  Although they have “scorched the snake” who is represented as Duncan they are still anxious because his line still lives: Malcolm and Donalbain. The imagery of the snake ironically evokes the devil and evil, reversing Lady Macbeth’s earlier reference that they should be the ‘serpent’ under the ‘innocent’ flower.
• "When you durst do it then you were a man" - LM

  In this scene Macbeth is contemplating the murder of king Duncan but he is hesitant and unsure about committing such a terrible act. Lady Macbeth uses a form of emotional manipulation questioning Macbeths masculinity and courage. This phrase suggests that  Macbeth’s manhood is contingent upon his willingness to carry out the murder.
• "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition" M

  The metaphorical use of ‘vaulting ambition’ suggests a sense of recklessness and a willingness to leap over moral boundaries to achieve his goals. Macbeth’s internal struggle with ambition can be seen in the context of challenging the Great Chain of Being reflecting concerns about the consequences of disrupting the natural order.
• "All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand"-LM

  Happens when LM is sleepwalking and trying to rid herself of the imaginary bloodstains on her hands. Reference to "little hand" highlights the personal and intimate nature of her guilt. This shift in perspective shows the theme of appearance versus reality by conveying the difference between the initial facade of confidence and the internal reality of remorse and turmoil.
• "Come, thick night and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell"- LM

  LM is asking for her evil desire to be hidden from God. Uses imperative verbs to command the natural world. "dunnest smoke of hell" suggests that a desire for a veil of obscurity so thick that it not only conceals the physical act of murder, but also the moral consequences associated with it.
• "The dead butcher and his fiend - like queen" - Malcolm

  Malcolm is describing Macbeth and Lady Macbeth when he is restored to the throne. He doesn't occur to the characters by the name showing their immediate fall in status. "Butcher" dehumanises Macbeth and suggests a lack of humanity and an excess of brutality in Macbeth's actions (brave Macbeth). ”fiend-like" suggests a demonic and evil nature linking to the supernatural theme. This highlights how disturbing the natural order invites divine retribution.
• "Fair is foul and foul is fair" -Witches

  Chiasmus (mirror construction) - theme of unnatural nature
• "Out damned spot!"

  Lady Macbeth starts sleep walking in her sleep and dreams of Duncan. She has a lack of control and is unable to rest and feel at peace when she sleeps. She keeps trying to wash the fake blood off her hands commanding it to go away. In this scene the blood symbolises the guilt that she is feeling.
• "poison'd chalice"

  The metaphor of “poison’d chalice” emphasises that Macbeth is worried about the consequences. The consequences of his actions will rebound upon him, forcing him to drink from the poisoned cup that he serves to Duncan. This shows Macbeth feels guilty about contemplating the deed because he feels that if he did kill the king he deserves to be “poisoned” in return.
• "virtues will plead like angels"

  Macbeth uses this metaphorical religious imagery to emphasises the noble qualities that Duncan possessed. Duncan's divine right to be king is portrayed as pure as angels and his nobility will convincingly sound in heaven against his brutal murder.
• "Full of scorpions is my mind"

  This metaphor reveals Macbeth's mental turmoil and guilt after his ambition has been fulfilled. This suggests that his mind has been infested with poisonous thoughts that he fears.