Macbeth: Key Quotes

Act 1, Scene 3: The Witches’ Influence

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” - A paradoxical comment made by the witches which highlights the theme of confusion and deception.
“All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!” - The witches prophesy that Macbeth will be king, sparking his ambition.

Act 1, Scene 5: Lady Macbeth’s Ambition

“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here” - Lady Macbeth calls on the supernatural to help her become more ruthless and cruel in order to aid Macbeth’s ambition.
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ’t.” - Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to appear innocent while harbouring deadly intent.

Act 1, Scene 7: Macbeth’s Internal Struggle

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition” - Macbeth battles with his own conscience and acknowledges that his motive for murder is purely ambition.

Act 2, Scene 1: The Illusion of the Dagger

“Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?” - Macbeth’s hallucination of a bloody dagger reflects his mental turmoil and moral confusion.

Act 2, Scene 2: Aftermath of Duncan’s Murder

“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” - Macbeth expresses his guilt and realises that he can’t erase the consequences of his actions.

Act 3, Scene 4: Macbeth’s Paranoia

“I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.” - Macbeth notes that he is too deep into his bloody deeds to stop.

Act 5, Scene 5: Macbeth’s Despair

“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow” - Macbeth’s speech symbolises the fleeting nature of life and his feelings of despair and meaningless.

Act 5, Scene 8: Macbeth’s Downfall

“Then yield thee, coward!” - Macduff challenges Macbeth, signifying his downfall and the consequences of his overvaulting ambition.