1. “They met me in the day of success, and I have learned by the perfect’st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge.”
Explanation:
- Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he met the witches (the “Weïrd Sisters”) on the same day he won a great battle (“day of success”).
- He believes that they possess supernatural wisdom (“more in them than mortal knowledge”) and that their prophecies are trustworthy (“perfect’st report”).
Analysis:
- Language Device: Hyperbole (“more in them than mortal knowledge”) emphasizes Macbeth’s awe and belief in their power.
- Theme: Fate vs. Free Will – Macbeth is drawn toward the witches’ predictions, but the question remains: does he act on his own will, or is he bound by fate?
2. “When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished.”
Explanation:
- Macbeth wanted to ask the witches more questions, but they disappeared into thin air.
- Their sudden vanishing increases the sense of mystery and supernatural power.
Analysis:
- Language Device: Metaphor (“made themselves air”) highlights their elusive and ghostly nature.
- Theme: The Supernatural – The witches are beyond human control, adding to the eerie and fateful atmosphere of the play.
3. “Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the King, who all-hailed me ‘Thane of Cawdor,’”
Explanation:
- Macbeth was still deep in thought about the witches’ words when messengers (“missives”) arrived from King Duncan, confirming part of their prophecy: he was named Thane of Cawdor.
Analysis:
- Language Device: “Rapt in the wonder” suggests that Macbeth was spellbound, linking to the theme of fate and manipulation.
- Theme: Ambition – The prophecy is beginning to come true, fueling Macbeth’s desire for power.
4. “By which title, before, these Weïrd Sisters saluted me and referred me to the coming on of time with ‘Hail, king that shalt be.’”
Explanation:
- The witches had already greeted Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor before he knew it was true.
- They also predicted that he would become king.
Analysis:
- Theme: Reality vs. Illusion – The witches seem to know the future, but is it a true vision or manipulation?
- Language Device: Foreshadowing – The mention of the prophecy being fulfilled hints at Macbeth’s eventual rise to the throne.
5. “This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.”
Explanation:
- Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth, calling her his “dearest partner of greatness,” showing their close bond.
- He wants her to know about the prophecy so that she can share in the excitement.
Analysis:
- Language Device: The phrase “partner of greatness” suggests equality in ambition between them.
- Theme: Gender Roles – Lady Macbeth is portrayed as an equal in ambition, challenging traditional female roles.
6. “Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.”
Explanation:
- Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth to take the prophecy to heart.
- He ends the letter simply with “farewell.”
Analysis:
- Theme: Power and Influence – Macbeth trusts Lady Macbeth and shares his ambition with her, unknowingly setting the stage for her influence over him.
Lady Macbeth’s Response – Soliloquy Analysis
7. “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be what thou art promised.”
Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth acknowledges that Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis and Cawdor.
- She believes that he will become king, as promised by the witches.
Analysis:
- Theme: Fate vs. Free Will – She assumes that destiny will make Macbeth king.
8. “Yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.”
Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth is too kind and moral (“milk of human kindness”) to take the quickest path to the throne: murder.
Analysis:
- Language Device: Metaphor – “Milk” symbolizes innocence and compassion, suggesting Macbeth lacks the cruelty needed for murder.
- Theme: Masculinity and Cruelty – Lady Macbeth equates ruthlessness with strength.
9. “Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it.”
Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth acknowledges that Macbeth has ambition but lacks the necessary ruthlessness (“illness”) to act on it.
Analysis:
- Theme: Ambition – Lady Macbeth sees ambition as insufficient without moral corruption.
- Language Device: Juxtaposition – “Ambition” vs. “illness” contrasts Macbeth’s desire with his hesitation.
10. “What thou wouldst highly, that wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false and yet wouldst wrongly win.”
Explanation:
- Macbeth wants to rise to power honorably (“holily”), but he also desires the benefits of wrongdoing.
- Lady Macbeth sees this contradiction as a weakness.
Analysis:
- Theme: Morality vs. Power – Macbeth struggles between his conscience and his ambition.
11. “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round.”
Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth calls on Macbeth to return home quickly so she can influence (“pour my spirits in thine ear”) and persuade him.
- She will use her words to remove anything that stops him from taking the throne (“golden round”).
Analysis:
- Language Device: Metaphor – “Pour my spirits in thine ear” suggests manipulation.
- Theme: Power and Manipulation – Lady Macbeth is determined to push Macbeth into action.
12. “Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal.”
Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth believes that fate and supernatural forces (“metaphysical aid”) are helping Macbeth become king.
Analysis:
- Theme: The Supernatural – She believes in the witches’ prophecy.
- Language Device: Personification – Fate is portrayed as an active force.
MESSENGER
“The King comes here tonight.”
- The Messenger informs Lady Macbeth that King Duncan will be arriving at their castle that very night.
LADY MACBETH
“Thou ’rt mad to say it.”
- Lady Macbeth expresses shock, saying the Messenger must be crazy to say such a thing. She had no prior knowledge of Duncan’s visit.
“Is not thy master with him, who, were ’t so, Would have informed for preparation?”
- She questions why her husband, Macbeth, has not informed her beforehand if Duncan was truly coming. Since Macbeth is a close nobleman (Thane of Glamis and Cawdor), he should have sent word in advance.
MESSENGER
“So please you, it is true. Our thane is coming.”
- The Messenger confirms that Macbeth is indeed on his way home with the King.
“One of my fellows had the speed of him, Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message.”
- Another servant has arrived before Macbeth, rushing so fast that he was almost out of breath. This emphasizes the urgency of the news.
LADY MACBETH
“Give him tending. He brings great news.”
- She tells her attendants to take care of the Messenger because his news is very important.
- This line also signals a shift in Lady Macbeth’s thoughts. Instead of simple hospitality, she starts thinking about how Duncan’s visit provides an opportunity for power.
LADY MACBETH’S SOLILOQUY (AFTER MESSENGER EXITS)
“The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements.”
- Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth refers to a raven, a bird often associated with death, which seems to have croaked so much that it has become hoarse.
- She imagines the raven announcing Duncan’s impending death as he enters their castle.
- Language Techniques:
- Symbolism: The raven symbolizes death and doom.
- Foreshadowing: Duncan’s “fatal entrance” foreshadows his murder.
- Personification: The raven is given a human quality—becoming hoarse from crying out the news.
- Theme: Fate and Supernatural – Lady Macbeth sees Duncan’s death as inevitable, almost like a prophecy.
“Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,”
- Explanation:
- She calls upon supernatural spirits to remove her feminine qualities, making her more ruthless and capable of committing murder.
- Language Techniques:
- Imperative verbs (“Come, unsex me”) – Show her commanding nature and desperation.
- Supernatural Imagery: She invokes spirits, linking her to dark forces.
- Theme: Gender and Power – Lady Macbeth believes that being a woman makes her weak and that she needs to rid herself of femininity to be strong and cruel.
“And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty.”
- Explanation:
- She wants to be completely filled with cruelty, from head to toe.
- Language Techniques:
- Metaphor: “Crown to the toe” emphasizes total transformation.
- Theme: Ambition – Lady Macbeth seeks to remove all moral constraints to achieve power.
“Make thick my blood. Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse,”
- Explanation:
- She wants her blood to thicken so that she cannot feel guilt or hesitation.
- Language Techniques:
- Metaphor: Thick blood represents being emotionless and unshaken.
- Imperatives: Again, she is commanding supernatural forces.
- Theme: Evil and Morality – She wants to block any feelings of guilt or conscience.
“That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th’ effect and it.”
- Explanation:
- She asks for her conscience (“compunctious visitings of nature”) to be removed so that nothing interferes with her murderous plans.
- Language Techniques:
- Personification: Conscience is imagined as a force that can physically “shake” her resolve.
- Theme: Guilt – Even before the crime, she is aware that guilt might be a problem.
“Come to my woman’s breasts And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers,”
- Explanation:
- She wishes to replace her nurturing milk with poison (“gall”), symbolizing a rejection of traditional female roles.
- Language Techniques:
- Juxtaposition: Milk (nurturing) vs. gall (poison) highlights her transformation.
- Theme: Femininity vs. Masculinity – She rejects motherhood and gentleness in favor of ruthlessness.
“Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief.”
- Explanation:
- She calls upon dark spirits, who are invisible (“sightless substances”), to aid in her plan.
- Language Techniques:
- Alliteration (“sightless substances”) – Creates a whispering, eerie effect.
- Theme: Supernatural – She aligns herself with dark forces.
“Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,”
- Explanation:
- She wants night to cover everything in the darkest (“dunnest”) smoke so that no one can see or stop the crime.
- Language Techniques:
- Personification: Night is given the ability to “pall” (cover itself).
- Dark Imagery: Hellish smoke emphasizes evil.
- Theme: Deception – Darkness is associated with hiding evil deeds.
“That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark To cry ‘Hold, hold!’”
- Explanation:
- She wants the darkness to be so thick that even her own knife cannot see the murder it commits.
- She also does not want heaven (God) to see or stop the crime.
- Language Techniques:
- Metaphor: The “blanket of the dark” represents secrecy.
- Personification: Heaven is imagined as an entity that might interfere.
- Theme: Fate vs. Free Will – She wants to escape divine judgment and moral consequences.
ENTER MACBETH
“Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter!”
- Explanation:
- Lady Macbeth greets Macbeth with titles he already has (“Glamis” and “Cawdor”) and hints at the prophecy that he will be king (“all-hail hereafter”).
- Language Techniques:
- Dramatic Irony: The audience knows she is already plotting Duncan’s murder, but Macbeth does not yet.
- Foreshadowing: “All-hail hereafter” hints at Macbeth’s future rule.
- Theme: Ambition – She is already pushing Macbeth toward his destiny.
Thy letters have transported me beyond this ignorant present, and I feel now the future in the instant.
Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth’s letters have filled her with excitement, making her think beyond the present moment. She is so consumed by ambition that she already envisions the future (being queen) as if it is happening now.
- Language Techniques:
- Metaphor – “Transported me beyond” suggests that ambition has taken her mind beyond the present reality into a future where Macbeth is king.
- Dramatic Irony – The audience knows she is unaware of the consequences of her ambition.
- Themes:
- Ambition – Lady Macbeth is already focused on the crown, not the present.
- Fate vs. Free Will – She believes they can shape their destiny.
My dearest love, Duncan comes here tonight.
Macbeth informs Lady Macbeth that King Duncan will arrive at their castle that night.
- Themes:
- Fate vs. Free Will – This visit gives them the perfect opportunity to act on the witches’ prophecy.
- Power & Kingship – Duncan’s arrival sets up the murder plot.
And when goes hence?
Lady Macbeth immediately asks when Duncan will leave. Her quick response suggests she is already plotting something.
- Language Techniques:
- Ellipsis (Implied Meaning) – She does not explicitly say anything about murder, but her intent is clear.
- Themes:
- Deception – She is already scheming but does not say it outright.
Tomorrow, as he purposes.
Macbeth responds that Duncan plans to leave tomorrow.
O, never shall sun that morrow see!
Lady Macbeth declares that Duncan will not live to see tomorrow. This is her first open suggestion of murder.
- Language Techniques:
- Foreshadowing – The audience now knows Duncan’s fate.
- Dramatic Irony – Duncan is unaware of the danger.
- Personification – “Sun” represents life, and she suggests it will not rise for Duncan.
- Themes:
- Ambition & Power – She is ready to kill to gain the throne.
- Fate & Supernatural – She assumes control over life and death.
Your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters.
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that his face reveals too much, like an open book.
- Language Techniques:
- Simile – “Your face is as a book” suggests Macbeth is not good at hiding his thoughts.
- Themes:
- Deception & Appearance vs. Reality – Macbeth must learn to disguise his intentions.
To beguile the time, look like the time.
To deceive people, Macbeth must act like everything is normal.
- Language Techniques:
- Repetition – “Time” emphasizes how appearances must match circumstances.
- Themes:
- Deception – They must hide their true intentions.
Bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue.
Lady Macbeth instructs him to be welcoming in his expressions, gestures, and speech.
- Themes:
- Manipulation & Deception – She coaches Macbeth on acting innocent.
Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under ’t.
She tells Macbeth to appear harmless but secretly be dangerous, like a serpent hiding under a flower.
- Language Techniques:
- Metaphor – Innocent flower (good appearance) vs. serpent (evil intentions).
- Allusion – Reference to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (deception, temptation, and sin).
- Themes:
- Deception & Betrayal – Macbeth must be deceitful to succeed.
- Power & Corruption – He is urged to be ruthless.
He that’s coming must be provided for.
Duncan must be “taken care of,” a euphemism for murder.
- Themes:
- Violence & Murder – Lady Macbeth subtly confirms her plan.
And you shall put this night’s great business into my dispatch.
She tells Macbeth to let her handle everything.
- Themes:
- Gender & Power – She takes control, reversing traditional gender roles.
Which shall to all our nights and days to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.
She claims that this act will secure their future rule.
- Themes:
- Ambition & Power – The crime is necessary for their rule.
- Fate vs. Free Will – She sees murder as a means to control their future.
We will speak further.
Macbeth is hesitant, showing uncertainty.
Only look up clear. To alter favor ever is to fear.
Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to keep a calm expression; looking nervous shows guilt.
- Language Techniques:
- Rhyme (“clear” and “fear”) – Makes her advice sound confident and commanding.
- Themes:
- Deception – Hiding emotions is key to success.
- Fear & Guilt – She knows fear can give them away.
Leave all the rest to me.
Lady Macbeth reassures him that she will handle the details of the murder.
- Themes:
- Manipulation & Control – She takes full command of the situation.
- Gender Roles – She subverts traditional expectations by taking charge.
Overall Analysis:
- Themes:
- Ambition & Power – Lady Macbeth’s desire for the throne drives her to plot murder.
- Deception & Betrayal – She teaches Macbeth how to disguise his true intentions.
- Gender & Power – She dominates Macbeth, challenging traditional gender roles.
- Violence & Murder – The passage directly foreshadows Duncan’s assassination.
- Fate vs. Free Will – Lady Macbeth actively shapes their future rather than waiting for fate.
- Language Techniques:
- Metaphors & Similes – “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it” emphasizes deception.
- Foreshadowing – “Never shall sun that morrow see” hints at Duncan’s fate.
- Alliteration – “solely sovereign sway” emphasizes control and dominance.
- Personification – “Sun” symbolizes life, and Lady Macbeth suggests it will not rise for Duncan.
- Euphemism – “Must be provided for” subtly refers to murder.
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