Macbeth Quotes

ELA
Feb 3
2 min read

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare about a Scottish nobleman whose ambition leads him to murder King Duncan and seize the throne. Influenced by witches and his wife, Macbeth descends into tyranny, paranoia, and madness. The play explores themes of power, fate, guilt, and the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition.

Macbeth Quotes

Here are some famous quotes from Macbeth by William Shakespeare:

Ambition & Power

"Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (Act 1, Scene 1)The witches set the tone of the play, showing the theme of deception and moral confusion.
"Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other." (Act 1, Scene 7)Macbeth acknowledges his unchecked ambition before killing Duncan.
"Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?" (Act 2, Scene 1)Macbeth hallucinates before murdering King Duncan, showing his inner turmoil.
"I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er." (Act 3, Scene 4)Macbeth realizes that he has gone too far in his crimes to stop now.

Fate & Supernatural

"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! Hail to thee, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (Act 1, Scene 3)The witches’ prophecy sparks Macbeth’s ambition.
"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." (Act 4, Scene 1)The witches create a potion to deceive Macbeth further.

Guilt & Madness

"Methought I heard a voice cry, 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep.'" (Act 2, Scene 2)Macbeth is haunted by his conscience after killing Duncan.
"Out, damned spot! Out, I say!" (Act 5, Scene 1)Lady Macbeth’s guilt drives her to madness as she imagines blood on her hands.

Fate & Death

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more." (Act 5, Scene 5)Macbeth reflects on the meaninglessness of life after Lady Macbeth's death.
"Lay on, Macduff, and damned be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!’" (Act 5, Scene 8)Macbeth defiantly fights to the end against Macduff.

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