MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS

Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza

Act: 1 Scene: 3 Line(s): 49-51
Quote (written in full)-
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
Theme Present- Fate (destiny) v. free will (human choice)
Motif Present- Darkness
Speaker- The three witches (one after the other)
Audience- Macbeth
Setting- Thunder, witches are dancing around and have a charm ready
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
In a confrontation to Macbeth and Banquo on a heath, the three
witches predict Macbeth will become Thane and Cawdor and King of Scotland.
This entire quote starts the action of the play as one can imagine thunder in
the background as the witches completely decide to reveal the fate of
Macbeth. With this quote, the reader is put in the darkness as to whether it
was free will that will later make these prophecies come true later in the story
or was in fact all fate intended to happen in the first place. The reader must
also wonder how Macbeths life would have been different if the witches
actually didnt tell him anything at all. I believe the witches turned something
that should have been free will into ambitious like fate.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 1 Scene: 4 Line(s): 28-30
Quote (written in full)-
Gainst nature still.
Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up
Thine own lifes means! Then tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth
Theme Present- Ambition as a catalyst for corruption
Motif Present- Blood/Violence
Speaker- Ross talking about Duncans sons Malcolm and Donalbain
Audience- Macduff
Setting- Outside Macbeths castle with Ross, Macduff, and Old Man present.
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Ross implies here ambition leads to extremely unnatural acts, which would
explain the suspicion towards Duncans sons. He describes ambition as a
cannibal that goes against its own nature by killing its own father, the one who
gave it life in the 1st place. This connects the violence of Macbeths killings
now and later will his ambition that will eventually ruin him. It must be noted
also that even if Ross knew about Macbeth actually being the murderer, the
speech would be the same as Duncan has had Macbeth as a royal servant/
subject and had a trusting bond with them and therefore gave him life in the
first place sort of.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 2 Scene: 3 Line(s): 78-79
Quote (written in full)-
Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:
The repetition, in a womans ear,
Would murder as it fell.
Theme Present- Femininity linked to compassion/Masculinity linked to cruelty
Motif Present- Blood/Violence
Speaker- Macduff
Audience- Lady Macbeth
Setting- Inside Macbeths castle, after everyone has been alerted of
Duncans murder
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Lady Macbeth is seen as a woman far too fragile/sensitive/dainty as Macduff
refuses to explain that Duncan has been murdered. Macduff obviously thinks
woman are just far too dainty for such news and that Lady Macbeth, because
she is a lady, is above suspicion. Both are false because Lady Macbeth is the
exact opposite of dainty and can even be seen as more masculine and tough
acting than her husband. She exhibits more violence in her speeches as well.
Woman here are viewed as compassionate and therefore could not be the
master planner of the entire murder (like Lady Macbeth). Men, however, are
linked to the murder at hand, as Macduff automatically excludes woman from
being involved in such things because they are ladies...
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 2 Scene: 4 Line(s): 5-9
Quote (written in full)-
Ah, good father,
Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,
Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp:
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?
Theme Present- Appearance vs. Reality, Contrast between effective kingship
and tyranny
Motif Present- Darkness
Speaker- Ross
Audience- Old Man
Setting- Outside Macbeths Castle
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Ross questions the Old Man on how nature is acting now, probably in response
to the kings murder. Ross feels darkness is filling the sky even though its the
middle of the day, foreshadowing the violence that is to come. It seems life on
earth at all has been halted as Macbeth steps forward as king and murderer.
Shame is also used when Ross tries to distinguish why darkness covers earth
when its supposed to be with light. There is ambiguity in the current situation
at hand obviously to Ross but the reality states the darkness would symbolize
Macbeths act of violence and ambition.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 3 Scene: 1 Line(s): 64-72
Quote (written in full)-
If't be so,
For Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind,
For them the gracious Duncan have I murther'd,
Put rancors in the vessel of my peace
Only for them, and mine eternal jewel
Given to the common enemy of man,
To make them kings -the seed of Banquo kings!
Rather than so, come, Fate, into the list,
And champion me to the utterance!
Theme Present- Ambition as a catalyst for corruption, Fate (destiny) v. free
will (human choice)
Motif Present- Planting
Speaker- Macbeth
Audience- Soliloquy
Setting- Inside Macbeths castle
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Feeling guilty after murdering Duncan and crowned king, Macbeth decides to
ignore how he felt during the prophecy of the witches and challenge the
despicable fate as he unfortunately realizes that since hes King, Banquos sons
will probably be kings too. His ambition has led him into a struggle against a
predetermined future who no longer likes the idea of-so now he is corrupted
without validation. He wants more free will obviously as he feels Fate has had
too much control over him as he realizes that Banquos sons will eventually take
over with their seed. One could argue Macbeth harvested the very seed
mentioned in the quote by trying to quicken a fate oddly bestowed to him.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 3 Scene: 2 Line(s): 44-46
Quote (written in full)-
LADY MACBETH
What's to be done?
MACBETH
Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck,
Till thou applaud the deed.
Theme Present- Masculinity linked to cruelty, Violence perpetuating violence
Motif Present- Blood/violence
Speaker- Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth
Audience- Between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth
Setting- Inside Macbeths castle
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
This is the first time Macbeth decides to exclude Lady Macbeth from his
plans for murder. He decides to not let her know of how he is going to murder
Banquo to rid himself of the fear of discovery. Usually, Lady Macbeth would be
the catalyst and decision maker in the entire situation but now it seems
Macbeths new masculinity has launched a new violence perpetuating violence
matter where he can now take the violence into his own hands.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 3 Scene: 4 Line(s): 135-138
Quote (written in full)-
[] For mine own good
All causes shall give way. I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.
Theme Present- Ambition as a catalyst for corruption, Violence perpetuating
violence
Motif Present- Blood/Violence
Speaker- Macbeth
Audience- Between him and Lady Macbeth
Setting- Inside Macbeths castle
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Macbeth uses an analogy of wading too far in a bloody river to express how he
feels he will never be able to turn back from what he did. It is clear that with
the huge ambition drive, he is now officially corrupt as he is selfishly willing to
do anything needed to save himself and through the murder of Banquo has
made it clear that it is morally easier for him to go on with killing. He now
looks for his best interests and is willing to commit any act of violence which
will just lead him to more blood rivers, in a sense.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 4 Scene: 1 Line(s): 71-73
Quote (written in full)-
FIRST APPARITION [an armed head]
Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff,
Beware the Thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough
Theme Present-Fate (destiny) v. free will (human choice), Ambition as a
catalyst for corruption
Motif Present- Ghosts/ Hallucinations
Speaker- First Apparition
Audience- Macbeth
Setting- Inside the witches cavern
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Macbeth, wanting to see himself in security and far away from potential
danger, is blinded by what possible consequences Macduff could bring to him.
The armored head hallucination, as we learn later, is actually his severed head
that Macduff himself decapitates! Because he is so attentive to his ambitious
desires, he ignores all the negative signs he is in danger which raises the idea
of how the witches planned this entire scenario in order to trick him and
further ruin his free will and perhaps maneuver his fate?
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 4 Scene: 3 Line(s): 2-8
Quote (written in full)- .
MACDUFF
Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men
Bestride our downfall'n birthdom. Each new morn
New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows
Strike heaven on the face, that it resounds
As if it felt with Scotland and yell'd out
Like syllable of dolor.
Theme Present-Masculinity linked to cruelty, Violence perpetuating violence
Motif Present- Blood/violence
Speaker- Macduff
Audience- Malcolm
Setting- England. Before the kings palace
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Malcolm, before Macduff responds, suggests they weep since he feels there is
nothing to be done about Macbeths tyrannic reign (hes actually testing his
loyalty but thats irrelevant). Macduff then insists that like good men , they
must hold their stand and fight and defend their native country. Violence is
decided to replace grief from previous violence of Macbeth. And Macduff says
like good men they should fight, linking masculinity to cruelty and violence they
feel towards Macbeth.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 4 Scene: 3 Line(s): 50-57
Quote (written in full)- .
MALCOLM
It is myself I mean: in whom I know
All the particulars of vice so grafted
That, when they shall be open'd, black Macbeth
Will seem as pure as snow, and the poor state
Esteem him as a lamb, being compared
With my confineless harms.
Theme Present-Appearance vs. reality, Contrast between effective kingship
and tyranny
Motif Present- Animals (lamb), Darkness (black Macbeth)
Speaker- Malcolm
Audience- Macduff
Setting- England. Before the kings palace
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Malcolm makes sure he exaggerates his image of being a traitor even though
his underlying intentions are noble and trying to test the loyalty of Macduff to
Scotland. He pretends here he will act worse than Macbeth, to the point
where Macbeth will be looked at as a lamb in comparison with his treachery.
He shows how he can also be a tyrannical person, going so far as to give a
contrast between light and dark, making Macbeth act as the pure snow in
comparison while he is dark/black (like Macbeth actually is but Malcolm is
pretending to act like).
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 5 Scene: 1 Line(s): 3-11
Quote (written in full)- .
GENTLEWOMAN
Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen
her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon
her, unlock her closet, take forth paper, fold it,
write upon't, read it, afterwards seal it, and again
return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.
DOCTOR
A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once
the benefit of sleep, and do the effects of
watching! In this slumbery agitation, besides her
walking and other actual performances, what, at any
time, have you heard her say?
Theme Present-Femininity linked to compassion, Appearance vs Reality
Motif Present- Sleep (lessness), Clothing
Speaker- Gentlewoman and Doctor
Audience- Conversation between Gentlewoman and Doctor
Setting- Dunsinane. In the castle.
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Unlike her role as the man in the relationship, Lady Macbeth is now an
enfeebled woman who sleepwalks though the castle, mutters to herself, and
tries to wash off imaginary blood. The roles are completely reestablished, as
Lady Macbeth now plays the weak minded guilt ridden female and Macbeth now
plays the ruthless overly ambitious power mongrel. Lady Macbeth, once so
central to the play, is now a marginal character with such weakness. When one
is not guilt ridden, one sleeps well which is why Lady Macbeth is probably
sleepwalking and even further trying to hide her guilt by sealing her nightgown
upon herself, making herself feel a tiny more secure.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 5 Scene: 1 Line(s): 25-29
Quote (written in full)- .
GENTLEWOMAN
It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus
washing her hands: I have known her continue in
this a quarter of an hour.
LADY MACBETH
Yet here's a spot.
Theme Present-Appearance vs. reality
Motif Present- Blood/Violence
Speaker- Lady Macbeth and Gentlewoman
Audience- Lady Macbeth doesnt know the Gentlewoman and the Doctor can
hear her
Setting- Dunsinane. In the castle.
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Consumed by her guilt, Lady Macbeth starts going a little... crazy. She
sleepwalks throughout the castle and washes away imaginary blood from her
hands as if the blood itself was some sort of deadly fungus that just wouldnt
go away. The deadly fungus being the fast crippling of her power and morality
overall. It seems even though she at first felt it would be easy to wash away
the guilt, it is clear now that through violence, the terrifying overrules the
even worse reality.
MACBETH QUOTE ANALYSIS
Frances Coronel--Bell 3-- Mrs. Bozza
Act: 5 Scene: 5 Line(s): 17-28
Quote (written in full)- .
MACBETH
She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Theme Present-Ambition as a catalyst for corruption
Motif Present- Blood/Violence
Speaker- Macbeth
Audience- Seyton
Setting- Dunsinane. Within the castle.
Significance/Analysis (connecting theme to motif)-
Here karma plays in quite well as a warning for those overly ambitious.
Macbeth was told Lady Macbeth committed suicide and soon he will be told
that his death is nearing fast. Macbeth sums up his misery by saying that he is
nothing more than a character in a story that has absolutely no meaning. It is
obvious he is self-conscious about his selfish deed and is obviously full of
despair of the violence he took just to get to the stop where he lacks any
importance anyways and still remains a corrupted soul.