Key themes in macbeth

• “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.” (Act 1, Scene 7)


  This quote reflects Macbeth’s internal conflict about murdering King Duncan. He acknowledges that he has no good reason to kill Duncan, other than his “vaulting ambition” which is so excessive that it risks leading to his downfall.
• “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires.” (Act 1, Scene 4)


  Here, Macbeth is expressing his fear that his dark ambitions will be revealed. He wishes for the stars to dim their light so that no one can see the evil desires he harbors to become king.
• “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 1)


  This famous soliloquy occurs as Macbeth hallucinates a dagger pointing him towards Duncan’s chamber. It symbolizes the moment of decision where Macbeth’s ambition pushes him towards committing the murder he has been contemplating.
• “To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus.” (Act 3, Scene 1)


  In this quote, Macbeth reflects on his kingship and realizes that being king means nothing if he is not secure in his position. His ambition now turns towards eliminating any threats to his power, showing how his initial ambition leads to further destructive actions.
• “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, Without my stir.” (Act 1, Scene 3)


  Macbeth ponders whether he should take action to become king or if it will happen as a result of fate.
• “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Act 1, Scene 3)


  The witches’ prophecy sets the theme of fate in motion, suggesting that Macbeth’s kingship is predestined.
• "Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.” (Act 1, Scene 5)


  Lady Macbeth questions whether Macbeth has the ruthlessness to seize the crown by force, indicating a struggle between destiny and personal choice.
• “I am in blood Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4)


  Macbeth acknowledges that he has gone too far in his actions to turn back, suggesting a point of no return influenced by both his choices and the unfolding of his fated role.
• “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?” (Act 2, Scene 2)


  Macbeth laments that he will never be able to wash away the guilt of Duncan’s murder.
• “Out, damned spot! out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)


  Lady Macbeth, in her sleepwalking state, desperately tries to cleanse her hands of the bloodstains of guilt.
• “My soul is too much charged with blood of thine already.” (Act 5, Scene 7)


  Macbeth expresses his reluctance to kill Macduff’s family as he is already burdened with the guilt of previous murders.
• “I am in blood Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er.” (Act 3, Scene 4)


  This quote also applies to the theme of guilt, as Macbeth realizes the depth of his crimes and feels trapped by his guilty conscience.
• “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.” (Act 1, Scene 7)


  Macbeth acknowledges that his ambition is the only thing motivating him to commit regicide. His metaphor of a horse over-jumping and falling on the other side suggests that such ambition can lead to one’s downfall.