MACBETH

Key Quotes

Act One Scene One

"Graymalkin" "Paddock" (1.1.9-10)

Witches and supernatural

"Fair is foul and foul is fair:

Hover through the fog and filthy air"

Witches, supernatural, negative symbols, negative tone

Act One Scene Two

"but alls too weak:

For brave Macbeth" (1.2.15-16)

"He unseamed him from nave to th'chaps" (1.2.22)

"I must report they were

As cannons overcharged with double cracks" (1.2.36-37)

Shows Macbeth's bravery and potential for cruelity

"God save the King" (1.2.48)

Holy reference in relation to Duncan

"Confronted him with self-comparisons" (1.2.55)

References Macbeth's likeness to the Thane of Cawdor. Character trait

"What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won" (1.2.67)

Duncan references Macbeth's nobility in serving him

"What bloody man is that" (1.2.1)

"broil" (1.2.6)

"smoked with bloody execution" (1.2.18)

"unseamed him from nave to th'chaps" (1.2.23)

"bathe in reeking wounds" (1.2.39)

Reference to blood and slaughter. Symbol of Macbeth's rule/character

Act One Scene Three

"I'll give thee a wind" (1.3.11)

"And I another" (1.3.13)

Suggestion the witches have supernatural powers

"What are these,

So withered and so wild in their attire,                                              

That look not like inhabitants o' th'earth,                                          

And yet are on't" (1.3.39-42)

Stated by Banquo. Develops the negative character of the witches and the supernatural

"Thane of Cawdor" (1.3.49)

"King hereafter" (1.3.50)

The witches state this to Macbeth.

Supernatural, Power of premonition

"Good Sir, why do you start, and seem to fear"

"Rapt withal"

Banquo's comment on Macbeth's reaction to the premonition

Shows Macbeth's ambition

"oftentimes, to win us to our harm,     

The instruments of darkness tell us truths,                       

Win us with honest trifles, to betray's