Macbeth Quote Analysis: Key Themes
Violence:
Essay points:
● (Macbeth) At the start, he embraces violence, and uses it as a force of valiance to
protect his country against Norway’s attack.
● (Macbeth) Pernicious nature of barbaric violence as it erodes morality (when
power is tangible violence is a way to illegitimately acquire it.)
● Either: often associated with masculinity (link to LM’s rejection of maternal
inclinations) or talk about how violence is a critical theme that is inextricably
bound bound to psychological and social implications (link to a guilt quote)
“he unseam’d him from the nave to the chaps, / And fix’d his head upon our battlements.”
● Overall could depict Macbeth as a paragon of courage, as it illustrates him as heroic in
his field of battlement and worthy of his new title, ‘Thane of Cawdor,’ - one that only
fuels his ego and hubris.
● Alternatively, this quote could be foreshadowing the events to come- as the audience
get their first glimpse of Macbeth’s blood thirsty nature and ambitious desire- the
harmatia of his later downfall. This establishes Macbeth as the Tragic hero in
Shakespeare's Greek tragedy play.
● The use of the graphic imagery could be a visual representation of Macbeth ripping
Macdonald open from navel to jaws.
● Specifically, the transitive verb, ‘unseam’d,’ suggests ideas of tailoring or sewing, and
thus Macbeth’s efficiency and precision in war; traits that would have been rewarded
during the time.
● This may serve to highlight Macbeth’s sense of discipline in battle, but may alternatively
hint at the obsessive single mindedness that drives Macbeth’s fatal desires.
● In addition, the utilisation of the plosives in the phrase ‘upon our battlements,’ could be
an indication and foreshadowment of the destruction to come by Macbeth's hamartia-
unchecked ambition- akin to how the phonetics disrupt the reader’s flow of speech.
● Even in this early scene, the violence occurs offstage, thus the audience only hears about
the violence rather than experiencing it directly. This suggests perhaps that for a
Jacobean audience at a time of political instability, Shakespeare wanted to discourage
the idea or enjoyment of violence whilst still exploring the idea of it in human nature
, and psychology.
● Furthermore, a contemporary audience would be aware of the Biblical commandment
‘thou shall not kill’, which expressed that violence and murder of any kind was a sinful
act against God.
● Contextually, Shakespeare may intend to link this to the great chain of being.
● People during the period believed that every living thing had its place in the universe,
which had been set out by God.
● Shakespeare may intend to highlight Macbeth as this savage warrior to expose his initial
attempts to destroy this natural chain of being
● Thus, Shakespeare may intend to highlight this act of treachery in order to illustrate the
corrupt nature of Man’s ambition and violent aspirations.
“Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution.”
● Overall, this depicts him as a relentless force in battle, so skilled his sword did not have
time to cool. It suggests that he fought valiantly and thus praises this violence as a
commendable trait.
● However Shakespeare shows how his violence and bloodshed are romanticised in the
context of war being seen as honourable and righteous behaviour- however when he
behaves in the same ruthless way later in the play, he’s viewed as tyrannical and horrific.
This direct contrast may be utilised to highlight the extent of his tragic downfall as his
violent ambitions begin to consume him.
● Specifically, the phrase, ‘brandished steel,’ connotes the idea of waving a sword violently
in the air. Thus, this could show how Macbeth arrived ready to slay the rebel Macdonald,
perhaps hinting at his violent intention yet honourable jacobean traits.
● Alternatively, the verb “smok’d,” could connote ideas of heat or hell, foreshadowing his
evil and fulfilling Shakespeare's intention of exposing the inevitable consequences of this
violent masculine culture, perhaps playing with the Jacobean fears of eternal torture.
● Furthermore, the phrase “disdaining fortune” suggests he slayed Macdonald against the
odds, exposing his disregard for his fate in the pursuit of his violent ambitions, and his
attempt to manipulate the natural order. This may foreshadow his disruption of the
Divine Right of Kings and natural order, as this same valiant behaviour turns on him.
● To a Jacobean audience, this quote may develop a strong sense of pride for the valiant
and heroic masculinity that Macbeth has portrayed, fulfilling Shakespeare's intention of
heightening their respect of Macbeth's nobility and status.
● To us as a more knowledgeable modern reader, however, this quote could offer a
moment of anticipation for the tragic events that follow, whilst foregrounding the
brutality of Jacobean conflict.
, ● During the Jacobean era, and the reign of King James I there were many political and
civil conflicts between the anglican protestants and catholics, including the infamous
Gunpowder plot of 1605. In these battles, traits of aggressive and violent masculinity
were prevalent , which further perpetuated the societal unease.
● Shakespeare may intend to criticise this culture of aggressive masculinity and
honourable warfare, and instead sutterly hint at the need for religious peace and
reconciliation in Jacobean England.
“Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash’d the brains out.”
● Overall, this merciless act of rejecting maternal inclinations characterises Lady Macbeth
as violent and ambitious in her field- she would be remorseless in extinguishing fragile
and vulnerable human life. This serves to highlight the extent of her barbaric and
merciless ambitions, in which she is willing to exploit unprecedented ;levels of violence
in order to gain power.
● Alternatively, this quote specifically defies the patriarchal expectations of jacobean
society, which perhaps serves to highlight her intentions to subvert the gender
conventions in pursuit of power which simultaneously establishes men as synonymous
with violence and bloodthirst.
● Specifically, Shakespeare employs a stark example of graphic imagery, denoted in the
verbs “pluck’d” and “dash’d” in order to explore the barbaric hamartia of Lady Macbeth-
her excessive bloodthirst- which ultimately leads to her demise. These two verbs denote
a sense of pace as well as brute force, which epitomises the extent of her malicious
desires.
● Alternatively, the idea that both of these graphic verbs are apostrophised may denote a
shortened version of the word, which may be emblematic of her quick-witted and
ruthless process of thinking, suggesting that she does not hesitate when wishing to
pursue these malevolent ideas.
● Furthermore, the littering of plosive sounds on “pluck’d” “boneless” and “brains” may
disrupt the narrator's flow of speech, perhaps serving as an audible depiction of how
Lady macbeth’s ruthless and violent aspirations not only destruct the feminine
expectations of her, but also will influence macbeth’s destruction of the natural chain of
being.
● Moreover, the adjective “boneless” connotes a sense of fragility and vulnerability, as
bones typically symbolise ideas of mortality. The absence of the “bones” may serve to
highlight how Lady Macbeth is even willing to exploit her violent aspirations on the weak
and innocent, let alone her own child, which epitomises her mental corruption.
Violence:
Essay points:
● (Macbeth) At the start, he embraces violence, and uses it as a force of valiance to
protect his country against Norway’s attack.
● (Macbeth) Pernicious nature of barbaric violence as it erodes morality (when
power is tangible violence is a way to illegitimately acquire it.)
● Either: often associated with masculinity (link to LM’s rejection of maternal
inclinations) or talk about how violence is a critical theme that is inextricably
bound bound to psychological and social implications (link to a guilt quote)
“he unseam’d him from the nave to the chaps, / And fix’d his head upon our battlements.”
● Overall could depict Macbeth as a paragon of courage, as it illustrates him as heroic in
his field of battlement and worthy of his new title, ‘Thane of Cawdor,’ - one that only
fuels his ego and hubris.
● Alternatively, this quote could be foreshadowing the events to come- as the audience
get their first glimpse of Macbeth’s blood thirsty nature and ambitious desire- the
harmatia of his later downfall. This establishes Macbeth as the Tragic hero in
Shakespeare's Greek tragedy play.
● The use of the graphic imagery could be a visual representation of Macbeth ripping
Macdonald open from navel to jaws.
● Specifically, the transitive verb, ‘unseam’d,’ suggests ideas of tailoring or sewing, and
thus Macbeth’s efficiency and precision in war; traits that would have been rewarded
during the time.
● This may serve to highlight Macbeth’s sense of discipline in battle, but may alternatively
hint at the obsessive single mindedness that drives Macbeth’s fatal desires.
● In addition, the utilisation of the plosives in the phrase ‘upon our battlements,’ could be
an indication and foreshadowment of the destruction to come by Macbeth's hamartia-
unchecked ambition- akin to how the phonetics disrupt the reader’s flow of speech.
● Even in this early scene, the violence occurs offstage, thus the audience only hears about
the violence rather than experiencing it directly. This suggests perhaps that for a
Jacobean audience at a time of political instability, Shakespeare wanted to discourage
the idea or enjoyment of violence whilst still exploring the idea of it in human nature
, and psychology.
● Furthermore, a contemporary audience would be aware of the Biblical commandment
‘thou shall not kill’, which expressed that violence and murder of any kind was a sinful
act against God.
● Contextually, Shakespeare may intend to link this to the great chain of being.
● People during the period believed that every living thing had its place in the universe,
which had been set out by God.
● Shakespeare may intend to highlight Macbeth as this savage warrior to expose his initial
attempts to destroy this natural chain of being
● Thus, Shakespeare may intend to highlight this act of treachery in order to illustrate the
corrupt nature of Man’s ambition and violent aspirations.
“Disdaining fortune with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution.”
● Overall, this depicts him as a relentless force in battle, so skilled his sword did not have
time to cool. It suggests that he fought valiantly and thus praises this violence as a
commendable trait.
● However Shakespeare shows how his violence and bloodshed are romanticised in the
context of war being seen as honourable and righteous behaviour- however when he
behaves in the same ruthless way later in the play, he’s viewed as tyrannical and horrific.
This direct contrast may be utilised to highlight the extent of his tragic downfall as his
violent ambitions begin to consume him.
● Specifically, the phrase, ‘brandished steel,’ connotes the idea of waving a sword violently
in the air. Thus, this could show how Macbeth arrived ready to slay the rebel Macdonald,
perhaps hinting at his violent intention yet honourable jacobean traits.
● Alternatively, the verb “smok’d,” could connote ideas of heat or hell, foreshadowing his
evil and fulfilling Shakespeare's intention of exposing the inevitable consequences of this
violent masculine culture, perhaps playing with the Jacobean fears of eternal torture.
● Furthermore, the phrase “disdaining fortune” suggests he slayed Macdonald against the
odds, exposing his disregard for his fate in the pursuit of his violent ambitions, and his
attempt to manipulate the natural order. This may foreshadow his disruption of the
Divine Right of Kings and natural order, as this same valiant behaviour turns on him.
● To a Jacobean audience, this quote may develop a strong sense of pride for the valiant
and heroic masculinity that Macbeth has portrayed, fulfilling Shakespeare's intention of
heightening their respect of Macbeth's nobility and status.
● To us as a more knowledgeable modern reader, however, this quote could offer a
moment of anticipation for the tragic events that follow, whilst foregrounding the
brutality of Jacobean conflict.
, ● During the Jacobean era, and the reign of King James I there were many political and
civil conflicts between the anglican protestants and catholics, including the infamous
Gunpowder plot of 1605. In these battles, traits of aggressive and violent masculinity
were prevalent , which further perpetuated the societal unease.
● Shakespeare may intend to criticise this culture of aggressive masculinity and
honourable warfare, and instead sutterly hint at the need for religious peace and
reconciliation in Jacobean England.
“Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash’d the brains out.”
● Overall, this merciless act of rejecting maternal inclinations characterises Lady Macbeth
as violent and ambitious in her field- she would be remorseless in extinguishing fragile
and vulnerable human life. This serves to highlight the extent of her barbaric and
merciless ambitions, in which she is willing to exploit unprecedented ;levels of violence
in order to gain power.
● Alternatively, this quote specifically defies the patriarchal expectations of jacobean
society, which perhaps serves to highlight her intentions to subvert the gender
conventions in pursuit of power which simultaneously establishes men as synonymous
with violence and bloodthirst.
● Specifically, Shakespeare employs a stark example of graphic imagery, denoted in the
verbs “pluck’d” and “dash’d” in order to explore the barbaric hamartia of Lady Macbeth-
her excessive bloodthirst- which ultimately leads to her demise. These two verbs denote
a sense of pace as well as brute force, which epitomises the extent of her malicious
desires.
● Alternatively, the idea that both of these graphic verbs are apostrophised may denote a
shortened version of the word, which may be emblematic of her quick-witted and
ruthless process of thinking, suggesting that she does not hesitate when wishing to
pursue these malevolent ideas.
● Furthermore, the littering of plosive sounds on “pluck’d” “boneless” and “brains” may
disrupt the narrator's flow of speech, perhaps serving as an audible depiction of how
Lady macbeth’s ruthless and violent aspirations not only destruct the feminine
expectations of her, but also will influence macbeth’s destruction of the natural chain of
being.
● Moreover, the adjective “boneless” connotes a sense of fragility and vulnerability, as
bones typically symbolise ideas of mortality. The absence of the “bones” may serve to
highlight how Lady Macbeth is even willing to exploit her violent aspirations on the weak
and innocent, let alone her own child, which epitomises her mental corruption.
