Macbeth 10 Key Quotes

We know that learning and analysing key quotes is a vital of preparing for the GCSE English Literature exam.

These quotes cover a range of literary devices, themes and characters, meaning students will be prepared no matter what question comes up on exam.

Starter Activity: do a close reading of one of these quotes. This could be done individually, in pairs or small groups, or as a class. Annotate the quote, consider its context within the play, and explore any interesting linguistic elements. Contextualising the quote will help unlock the themes highlighted.

Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t.

Act I, scene 5

Spoken by: Lady Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power

I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition,

Act I, scene 7

Spoken by: Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power

Yet do I fear thy nature. It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness

Act I, scene 5

Spoken by: Lady Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power | Natural and Supernatural

Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?

Act II, scene 3

Spoken by: Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power | Conflict and Violence

Here lay Duncan, his silver skin laced with his golden blood, and his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature for ruin’s wasteful entrance.

Act II, scene 3

Spoken by: Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power

But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears.

Act III scene 4

Spoken by: Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power | Conflict and Violence

O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!

Act III, scene 2

Spoken by: Macbeth

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power

I think our country sinks beneath the yoke. It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash is added to her wounds.

Act IV, scene 3

Spoken by: Malcolm

Links to Themes: Men, Women, and Power | Conflict and Violence

Out, out, brief candle. Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Act V, scene 5