Search results
Find the most memorable and famous quotes from Shakespeare's Macbeth, spoken by the main characters and the witches. Browse the quotes by act, scene and character, and discover the themes and meanings behind them.
People also ask
How does Macbeth feel about the murder?
What does Macbeth say in Act 5 Scene 3?
What are the best Macbeth quotes?
Why does Macbeth say if chance will have me King?
Explore the most famous and memorable lines from Macbeth, Shakespeare's tragedy about a Scottish general who murders his way to the throne. Read the soliloquies, speeches, and monologues of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and other characters.
Browse and share quotes from Macbeth, a tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish general who murders his way to the throne. Find famous lines from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the witches, and more.
- (496)
- Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more. / By Sinel’s death I know I am thane of Glamis. Character: Macbeth. Act 1, Scene 3. Techniques: Characterisation, fatal flaw.
- This supernatural soliciting / Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, / Why hath it given me earnest of success, / Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor. /
- Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. Character: Macbeth. Act 1, Scene 4. Techniques: Characterisation, rhyming couplet.
- I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself / And falls on th’ other. Character: Macbeth.
- Quote #1
- Quote #2
- Quote #3
- Quote #4
- Quote #5
- Quote #6
- Quote #7
- Quote #8
- Quote #9
- Quote #10
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
(Lines 1-4, Act I, Scene I). These are the initial lines spoken by First Witch and Second Witch when weaving a spell to lure Macbeth. These lines are rhyming with each other to show that the incantation of the witches has begun. The main themeof these lines is to decide when the witches would meet next. While the first witch expresses the unfavorab...
(Lines 12-13, Act I, Scene I). Three witches who appear in Macbeth in the first scene speak these lines as they continue to weave their spell. They say that whatever they do seems good, but it will bring evil. In the same way, whatever seems bad is actually good. They agree with each other to vanish after the incantation is over and while the air i...
(Lines 144, Act I, Scene III). Macbeth speaks these words in an asidewhen he is with Banquo, his loyal friend. As one of the witches prophecies came true and he already became Thane of Cawdor by chance. He is thinking about his future as a king. He believes that if the luck made him a Thame, he could also become a king. In that case, he doesn’t hav...
(Lines 16-17, Act I, Scene V). Lady Macbeth speaks these lines to evaluate that Macbeth is not as ruthless as she is. She thinks that he is too kind and compassionate to kill the King or anybody else. In fact, she is also afraid that Macbeth is unprepared in spite of the promise given by the witches. According to Lady Macbeth kind people cannot be ...
(Lines 139-141, Act II, Sc. III). Donalbain speaks these lines to Malcolm, his brother. They come to know, King Duncan, their father, has been murdered. Following the murder of the King, Macbeth also kills the guards in rage. As they try to recover from their loss, they understand that they cannot trust anyone. Also, people can pretend to be friend...
(Lines 10-12, Act III, Scene II). Lady Macbeth speaks these words to her husband, Macbeth, after he kills King Duncan. Macbeth suffers from hallucinations and mental breakdown after the murder. Hence, Lady Macbeth tells that there is no point of regretting over things that already happened because you cannot reverse it. Lady Macbeth encourages her ...
(Lines 45-47, Act I, Sc. VII). These lines are spoken by Macbeth when Lady Macbeth coaxes her husband to kill the King and become the king himself. However, he is not ready and tries to explain Lady Macbeth that he is happy with the honor he had already received. He is already a man and doesn’t need a dare to prove otherwise or commit an evil act. ...
(Act IV, Scene I). The above lines are spoken by three witches while they are casting a spell over Macbeth. It doesn’t have a specific purpose. However, it could mean that though Macbeth would become the King he will face many troubles and eventually destroy himself.
(Lines, 144, Act V, Sc. I). Lady Macbeth speaks these words as she begins to feel guilty after King Duncan’s death. While Macbeth is able to accept his crime and becomes ambitious, Lady Macbeth loses her grip over the situations and becomes weaker. Also, remorse begins to weigh heavily upon her. Being a weak-minded, she starts sleepwalking and suff...
(Lines 26-31, Act V, Scene V). Macbeth speaks these words after Lady Macbeth’s death. He expresses that human life is nothing but a walking shadow. He also compares life with a candle that burns brightly before it melts away. He realizes that because of his actions he will face terrible consequences and his demise is inevitable. He further explains...
Explore the famous quotes from Macbeth, the tragic play by William Shakespeare, and their literary devices and themes. Learn how the witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and other characters use language to express their ambition, guilt, and fate.
Explore some of the most memorable lines from Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. Find out the context, meaning and significance of these quotes from the witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and more.
Find and analyze quotes from Macbeth by William Shakespeare, organized by scene, character, theme, and literary device. LitCharts provides modern English translations, citations, and AI-powered explanations for every line of the play.
