Important Quotes

• Fair is foul, and foul is fair,

  Hover through the fog and filthy air.


  Three Witches (alone)

  Scene 1
• O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!


  Duncan

  Scene 2
• So foul and fair a day I have not seen.


  Macbeth

  Scene 3
• ...But 'tis strange.

  And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,

  The instruments of darkness tell us truths,

  Win us with honest trifles, to betray 's

  In deepest consequence. --


  Banquo

  Scene 3
• [Aside] This supernatural soliciting

  Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,

  Why hath it given me earnest of success

  Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.

  If good, why do I yield to that suggestion

  Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair

  And make my seated heart knock at my ribs

  Against the use of nature?...


  Macbeth

  Scene 3
• [Aside] If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me

  Without my stir.


  Macbeth

  Scene 3
• There's no art

  To find the mind's construction in the face.

  He was a gentleman on whom I built

  An absolute trust.


  Duncan

  Scene 4
• [Aside] The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step

  On which I must fall down or else o'erleap,

  For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;

  Let not light see my black and deep desires.


  Macbeth

  Scene 4
• ...Yet I do fear thy nature;

  It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness

  To catch the nearest way. ...


  Lady Macbeth (alone)

  Scene 5
• ...Come, you spirits

  That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,

  And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full

  Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood.

  Stop up th' access and passage to remorse,

  That no compunctious visitings of nature

  Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between

  Th' effect and it. ...

  Lady Macbeth

  Scene 5
• ...Look like th' innocent

  flower,

  But be the serpent under 't. ...


  Lady Macbeth

  Scene 5
• This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air

  Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself

  Unto our gentle senses.


  Duncan

  Scene 6
• If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well

  It were done quickly. If th' assassination

  Could trammel up the consequence and catch

  With his surcease success, that but this blow

  Might be the be-all and the end-all here...


  Macbeth

  Scene 7
• ...He's here in double trust:

  First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,

  Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,

  Who should against his murderer shut the door,

  Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan

  Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been

  So clear in his great office, that his virtues

  Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against

  The deep damnation of his taking-off...


  Macbeth

  Scene 7
• We will proceed no further in this business.

  He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought

  Golden opinions from all sorts of people,

  Which would be worn now in their newest gloss,

  Not cast aside so soon.


  Macbeth

  Scene 7
• I am settled and bend up

  Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.


  Macbeth

  Scene 7