Macbeth

• Macbeth: '"We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it"'
• Macbeth's metaphor "we have scotch'd the snake not kill'd it" for his incomplete victory


  Implies ongoing threats, reflecting his understanding that their actions have not resolved their problems but may have compounded them
• "we have scotch'd the snake not kill'd it

  This line encapsulates the anxiety and perpetual state of unease that accompanies ill-gotten power, as well as the inevitable consequences of treachery
• In exams, "we have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it can be used to discuss Macbeth's growing paranoia and the inescapable ramifications of his actions
• Themes- we have scotch's the snake not kill'd it


  • Guilt
  • Paranoia
  • Consequences
• Macbeth: 'Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires'
• stars hide your fires! Let's not light see my black and deep desires-macbeth

  • Symbolises his wish for darkness to cover his malicious desires
  • Personification of the celestial bodies emphasises his need to hide his ambition from both himself and the prying eyes of morality
• Macbeth's internal conflict


  His awareness of the immorality of his ambitions
• Themes in Macbeth's quote-stars hide your fires. Let not light see my black and deep desires


  • Ambition
  • Secrecy
  • Darkness
• Macbeth: '"False face must hide what the false heart doth know"'
• false face must hide what the false heart doth know

  • Macbeth understands the necessity of masking his treacherous intentions with a deceitful appearance
  • Paradoxical statement underscores the theme of duplicity
  • Reflects the central motif of appearance versus reality that runs throughout the play
• How to use the "false face must hide what the false heart doth know"in exams

  • Discuss the theme of deception and the discrepancy between outward appearance and inner truth
• Themes- " false face must hide what the false heart doth know"

  • Deception
  • Guilt
  • Duplicity
• Macbeth: '"I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinane"'
• I will not be afraid of death and bane.Till Birmam forest come to dunsinane

  • Conveys Macbeth's overconfidence based on the witches' prophecy
  • Showcases his fatalistic view
  • Ironic because the audience knows Birnam Wood will indeed come to Dunsinane, foretelling his downfall through dramatic irony
• How to use the "I will not be afraid of death and bane,till birnam forest come to dunsinane in exams


  • Discuss the role of prophecy, Macbeth's hubris, and the use of dramatic irony in the play
• Themes-"I will not be artist of death and bane till birnam forest come to dunsinane


  • Fate
  • Overconfidence
  • Irony
• Macbeth: '"We will proceed no further in this business"'
• Macbeth expresses his hesitation to murder King Duncan


  Indicating a momentary reclaiming of moral ground
• Macbeth's vacillation between ambition and conscience


  • A critical point in his moral descent
• we will proceed no further in this buisiness“

  Can be used to discuss Macbeth's moral struggle and the turning point in his character arc
• Macbeth-we will proceed no further in this business 


  Ambition, Morality, Conflict
• Macbeth: '"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?"'
• Macbeth ponders if he can ever be cleansed of his guilt after murdering Duncan


  The hyperbolic imagery of Neptune's ocean not being sufficient to clean his hands underscores the magnitude of his guilt
• will all great Neptune ocean wash this blood clean from my hand

  Can be used to discuss the psychological impact of Macbeth's actions and the inescapable nature of his guilt
• Macbeth


  Guilt, Consequence, Redemption
• Macbeth: '"To be thus is nothing/But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo/Stick deep"'
• Macbeth reflects on his insecure kingship, feeling that his position is worthless without safety


  His deep-seated fears of Banquo suggest paranoia and foreshadow further violent actions to secure his power
• to be thus is nothing/ but to be safety thus. Our fears in banquo/stic deep

  Can be used to discuss Macbeth's growing insecurity, his descent into tyranny, and the cyclical nature of violence in the play
• Macbeth


  Power, Fear, Insecurity
• Macbeth: '"Yet I will try the last: before my body I throw my warlike shield: lay on, Macduff"'
• As he faces Macduff, Macbeth resolves to fight to the death, reverting to his former valour


  This moment of tragic heroism contrasts sharply with his previous tyranny, invoking the concept of fate and honour in battle
• yet I will try the last:before my body I throw my warlike shield : lay on,macduff

  Can be used to discuss Macbeth's final display of courage, his acceptance of fate, and the play's exploration of the tragic hero archetype
• Macbeth yet I will try the last:before my body I throw my warlike shield : lay on,macduff

  Courage, Desperation, Honour
• Macbeth: '"Is this a dagger I see before me. Come, let me clutch thee"'
• Macbeth's hallucination reveals his psychological turmoil and guilt before Duncan's murder


  The imagined dagger symbolises the actualisation of his murderous thoughts, manifesting his inner conflict and foreshadowing the real act of violence
• " is this a dagger I see before me. Come, let me clutch thee

  Can be used to discuss Macbeth's deteriorating mental state, the manifestation of his guilt, and the use of symbolism in the play
• Macbeth-" is this a dagger I see before me .come ,let me clutch thee"

  Madness, Fate, Guilt
• Macbeth: '"Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep!"'
• This exclamation personifies sleep, which Macbeth has 'murdered' by killing Duncan


  It implies that Macbeth's rest will forever be disturbed by his guilt, symbolising innocence and peace that he has destroyed