Macbeth- Quote Bank

*Below is a small selection of quotes that may be relevant to you in discussing

power in Macbeth

Quote Technique Analysis

“All hail Macbeth, Thane of Repetition - The witches use their supernatural powers to
Glamis.|All hail Macbeth, Thane of prophesy Macbeth’s future and manipulate his
Cawdor.| All hail Macbeth, that shalt ambition.
be king hereafter.” (1.3.46-48) - The witches’ abuse of their power drives the action
of the play, planting the scene for Macbeth’s violent
reign.
Macbeth: “Glamis, and Thane of Aside - Ross and Angus’ message that Duncan has granted
Cawdor: | The greatest is behind. Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor gives credibility
(1.3.115-116) to the witches’ prophecies.
- Shakespeare uses an aside to communicate
Macbeth’s thoughts as he begins to consider that he
may become King and reveal his ambitious character
to the audience, whilst veiling it from Banquo.
Macbeth: “If good, why do I yield to Soliloquy/ aside - Shakespeare uses a soliloquy (once again in the form
the suggestion, |Whose horrid image of an aside) to allow the audience to learn of
doth unfix my hair| And make my Macbeth’s dark and treacherous thoughts, while
seated heart knock at my ribs| Against hiding them from the other characters on stage.
the use of nature?” (1.3.133-136) - It is clear that Macbeth’s ambitious nature has been
quickly awoken by the witches’ prophecies. They have
abused their power to great effect, with Macbeth
already considering murdering his King.
Banquo: “Look how our partner’s Characterisation/ - Banquo’s comment serves to emphasise that
rapt.” (1.3.141) dialogue Macbeth is deep in thought after hearing the
prophecies. He is so lost in thought that Banquo
notices his distraction.
Banquo: “And oftentimes, to win us to Juxtaposition/ - Directly in contrast to Macbeth, Banquo is not so
our harm, the instruments of darkness characterisation easily taken in. He is cautious of the supernatural
tell us truths;|Win us in honest trifles, beings, and warns that they often operate in ways
to betray’s| In deepest consequence.” that seduce men into devious actions, and lead them
to their downfall.
- Serves to emphasise that Macbeth and Banquo do
have the power of choice over their actions in the face
of the witches’ prophecies/ ambition and temptation
Exit (Attendant) Stage direction, - The stage direction indicates that Lady Macbeth’s
Lady Macbeth: “The raven himself is soliloquy attendant exits the stage, leaving her alone
hoarse| That croaks the fatal entrance - The soliloquy allows the audience to hear Lady
of Duncan| Under my battlements” Macbeth’s thoughts, revealing her to be even more
(1.5.36-38) ambitious than her husband. She is willing to kill her
king in order to attain greater power without a second
thought.
Lady Macbeth: “When you durst do it, Dialogue, - Lady Macbeth taunts her husband after he refuses to
then you were a man.” (1.7.49) characterisation go ahead with the plan to murder Duncan. She
manipulates him by suggesting that he is cowardly and
has betrayed her- he is not a man.
 - Lady Macbeth abuses her power as Macbeth’s wife
Exit Servant Stage directions, - The stage directions indicate that Macbeth’s servant
Macbeth: “To be thus is nothing| But soliloquy exits, leaving Macbeth alone to think
to be safely thus. Our fears in - The soliloquy allows us to hear Macbeth as he thinks
Banquo| Stick deep” (3.1.49-51) aloud. Although he is King, and has attained the
highest position of power, he is now fearful that it will
be taken away. The impact of such power on Macbeth
is that it has made him paranoid, and turned him into
a tyrant who would murder his friend in order to
secure his position.
Exits and entrances of Banquo’s ghost Staging, dialogue - The appearance of Banquo’s ghost emphasises that
(Act 3 scene 4) Macbeth’s violent murder of his friend, committed in
Macbeth: “Thou canst not say I did it; order to maintain and secure power, has caused guilt
never shake| Thy gory locks at me!” and paranoia in the King. Macbeth’s descent into
(3.4.50-51) violence and madness is a consequence / impact of his
rise to power.
- In death, Banquo wields more power than in life.
Macbeth’s behaviour at the banquet arouses
suspicions about his role in Duncan’s murder in his
Thanes and can be seen as the beginning of his
downfall.
Malcolm: “This tyrant, whose sole Characterisation - Malcolm highlights that while Macbeth is now a
name blisters our tongues,| Was once brutal tyrant, maintaining his power through violence,
thought to be honest” (4.3.12-13) he used to be a trusted Thane to Duncan. Ambition
and power have corrupted a once good man.
Macduff: “Not in the legions| Of Diction, - Macduff is saying that Macbeth is more evil than
horrid hell can come a devil more Characterisation, even the devil. He has gone from being the worthy
damned| In evils to top Macbeth.” Biblical allusions and noble Thane supporting his rightful King to
(4.3.55-57) murdering God’s representative on Earth.
Lady Macbeth: “Here’s the smell of Monologue - Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking: she is literally trying
blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia to wash her hands of the blood of Macbeth’s victims.
will not sweeten this little hand!” - Her guilt over her role in the murder of Duncan and
(5.1.42-43) her husband’s descent into violent tyranny has sent
Lady Macbeth mad. Gaining and maintaining power/
abusing power has come at the cost of her sanity. She
later commits suicide, unable to deal with her guilt.