1. Macbeth Quotes (Act 1 & 2) “Fix’d his head upon our battlements.”
Violent imagery.
Does this on his own, no orders from Duncan.
Shows a mocking sense of pride.
Extreme measures, megalomania, violent nature.
May be using this to prove his masculinity and bravery.
In order to live up to his name of “Brave Macbeth”.
“Deep damnation.”
Plosive and alliteration of “d”.
He is terrified of the punishment from God.
Believes he can no longer communicate with God after committing his deed.
Will be sent to Hell as a result.
At the time, this would have been needed in order to be a good leader.
In order to establish a genuine nature and virtue.
“Brandished Steel”
He is a mighty warrior.
Able to lead Scotland to victory.
Bravery allows him to do so.
Bravery is acknowledged throughout Scotland.
Macbeth Quotes
(Act 1 & 2)
“Too full of the milk of human kindness.”
Milk: Neutral / maternal substance.
Linked to strength.
Suggests kindness is strength, but not in LM’s eyes.
Thinks he is too nice to kill Duncan and do what he needs to do for power.
Milk also links to childhood, suggests he is not man enough to carry out the deed.

2. Macbeth Quotes (Act 3 & Act 4) “Snake”
Sinister / destructive force in a biblical aspect.
Associated with ambition.
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it”
Sibilance off “s”, cyclical echoing, as if this instability will continue.
Audience thinks they believe they will never have enough power.
“We have scorched the snake but not killed it.”
Relentless ambition.
Believes they have not done enough to secure their power.
Power will always feel unfulfilled and unstable as it is illegitimate.
Audience believes he will never have stability / fulfilment.
“How now.”
Speaks to witches.
First words
Informality.
Connection between them.
Desensitisation to their supernatural powers, as if they couldn’t cause great disrupture.
“Smacking of every sin.”
Powerful verb.
Macbeth embodies every single sin.
Committed ultimate sin, Regicide.
Malcolm describes Macbeth as an antithesis of a king, who should be the embodiment of virtue / grace.
Macbeth Quotes
(Act 3 & Act 4)
“Blood will have blood.”
Cyclical nature of violence.
Fear of revenge.
Scared of consequences.
Paranoia and insecurity.
Unexpected from a king who should be full of grace, dignity, and strength.

3. Macbeth Quotes (Act 5) “Get me my armour.” Irrational desire to fight.
Craves protection as he is insecure.
Implicit wish to be protected (from his “deep damnation.”)
Before he was armed with bravery (his greatest strength and protection.)
Now he needs physical armour to protect him.
“I have sucked full with horrors.”
He has seen too much, not more can affect him.
Worrying for the audience.
Leaders need to have a bit of fear to understand consequences to actions.
Play on word: Suck = dine, dined with horrors in banquet scene with Banquo’s ghost.
“Bring me no more reposts.”
Opposite of a good leader.
Believes in witches’ prophecies that he is untouchable.
Wants them hanged if they disagree with his current courage / ruling.
Not a diplomatic person, like Duncan was.
No diplomacy, frantic, panicked.
Can only hold onto the prophecies now.
Macbeth Quotes (Act 5)
“Before my body / I throw my warlike shield.”
Macbeth realizes he is going to die to Macduff.
Regains control of his life.
Chooses to die like a brave soldier with no shield.
Cyclical structure as he dies like a soldier, where we first met him.

4. Lady Macbeth “My dearest partner of greatness.” “Dearest”
Affection, romantic love.
“Partner”
Thinks of him as her equal.
Women were seen as inferior / property of husband in the Jacobean Era.
Sense of autonomy / power and shared vision / ambition.
Inferred killing Duncan already with no need to communicate.
Established shared outlook.
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it.”
LM advises M to conceal his murderous thoughts.
Huge difference between what you see and who you are.
Leads to chaos and instablility.
“Flowers” / “Innocent”
Associated with life / vitality.
Loyal / benevolent.
“Serpent”
Garden of Eden, biblical connotations.
Serpent is poisoness.
Some “flowers” have thorns, shows not all flowers are as innocent as they may seem.
“Out damned spot! Out, I say!”
Exclamatory sentences.
Shows her desperation and seeking for resolve.
Resolve is impossible as deed has already been done.
She has been overwhelmed with guilt.
Destabilised by her actions.
She is now vulnerable / weak.
Lady Macbeth
“Nought’s had, all spent.”
Gained nothing from murder.
Shows consequences of illegitimate power.
Shakespeare argues if you have illegitimate power then it is useless / meaningless.
No potency / power.