English GCSE Macbeth complete
Theme of Ambition Quote 1
Quote: 'Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself,
And falls on th'other'
Explanation: ACT 1
Macbeth acknowledges his 'vaulting ambition' when contemplating the murder of
Duncan.
Shows an intense desire for power, which vaults even beyond its intrinsic limits and
beyond reason
Techniques: Horse metaphor
Audience: Audience knows Macbeth is unreasonable-here's no good reason to kill
Duncan, because Duncan is perfectly good at this whole king-business
Theme of Ambition Quote 2
Quote: 'So Foul And Fair A Day I Have Not Seen'
Explanation: ACT 1
The day is foul due to the witches raising a storm, and fair because of Macbeth's
victories on the battlefield.
The witches had not mentioned murder. The fact that his first thought is about killing the
king is mighty suspicious—almost as though they've just awoken a murderous ambition
that's been there all along.
Techniques: Repetition of witches words, paradox
Audience: sees immediately the calamitous inseparability of Macbeth and the forces of
darkness.
Alternative interpretation: foreshadows Macbeth's future. "Fair" presages his own rise to
the throne, as well as the promise of Banquo's own sons also gaining the ascendency.
"Foul" will refer to the tragedy that is to come. Duncan dies, as well as Macbeth and his
wife.
Theme of The supernatural Quote 1
Quote: 'Would they have stayed'
Explanation: ACT 1
The witches tell Macbeth something that lingers on his mind, and he is hooked on them
from the start.
He wanted to know where the witches got their information and why they have told it to
him and Banquo and so Macbeth is filled with regret
Context: People belived in witches- they were people who had made a pact with the
devil in exchange for supernatural powers. 1604 witchcraft became a capital offense.
, Theme of The supernatural Quote 2
Quote: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'
Explanation: ACT 1
Said by the witches and Macbeth.
The witches cause the 'foul' atmosphere.
Techniques: paradox
Audience: Audience knows they are bad, as well as influential and confusing
characters.
Context: 1604 witchcraft became a capital offence.
Theme of Revenge Quote 1
Quote: 'It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood'
Explanation: ACT 3
Banquo's ghost suggests he's seeking revenge on his death, and Macbeth notices this.
Now that Macbeth has taken life, his life will be taken- his bloody path of murder must
lead to other murders
Techniques: repetition
Audience:
Audience may be fearful of what will happen to him because of his actions
Links:
Macbeth alludes to the sons of Duncan earlier in Act 3, scene 1, with the word "bloody"
Context:
the Elizabeth Chain of Being: whatever affects one thing affect others
Alternative interpretation: the shedding of Banquo's blood will have to lead to (get) the
shedding of his sons' blood as well, because the prediction was that Banquo should be
the father of kings, which Macbeth can't allow.
Reference to the predictions of the three witches in Act 1, scene 3, who have told
Banquo that his "blood" will have "blood" (sons)--"Thou shall get kings, though thou be
none"
Macbeth is feeling both guilt and paranoia.
Theme of Revenge Quote 2
Quote: 'Banquo, with his blood-clotted hair, is smiling at me'
Explanation: ACT 4
Theme of Ambition Quote 1
Quote: 'Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself,
And falls on th'other'
Explanation: ACT 1
Macbeth acknowledges his 'vaulting ambition' when contemplating the murder of
Duncan.
Shows an intense desire for power, which vaults even beyond its intrinsic limits and
beyond reason
Techniques: Horse metaphor
Audience: Audience knows Macbeth is unreasonable-here's no good reason to kill
Duncan, because Duncan is perfectly good at this whole king-business
Theme of Ambition Quote 2
Quote: 'So Foul And Fair A Day I Have Not Seen'
Explanation: ACT 1
The day is foul due to the witches raising a storm, and fair because of Macbeth's
victories on the battlefield.
The witches had not mentioned murder. The fact that his first thought is about killing the
king is mighty suspicious—almost as though they've just awoken a murderous ambition
that's been there all along.
Techniques: Repetition of witches words, paradox
Audience: sees immediately the calamitous inseparability of Macbeth and the forces of
darkness.
Alternative interpretation: foreshadows Macbeth's future. "Fair" presages his own rise to
the throne, as well as the promise of Banquo's own sons also gaining the ascendency.
"Foul" will refer to the tragedy that is to come. Duncan dies, as well as Macbeth and his
wife.
Theme of The supernatural Quote 1
Quote: 'Would they have stayed'
Explanation: ACT 1
The witches tell Macbeth something that lingers on his mind, and he is hooked on them
from the start.
He wanted to know where the witches got their information and why they have told it to
him and Banquo and so Macbeth is filled with regret
Context: People belived in witches- they were people who had made a pact with the
devil in exchange for supernatural powers. 1604 witchcraft became a capital offense.
, Theme of The supernatural Quote 2
Quote: 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'
Explanation: ACT 1
Said by the witches and Macbeth.
The witches cause the 'foul' atmosphere.
Techniques: paradox
Audience: Audience knows they are bad, as well as influential and confusing
characters.
Context: 1604 witchcraft became a capital offence.
Theme of Revenge Quote 1
Quote: 'It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood'
Explanation: ACT 3
Banquo's ghost suggests he's seeking revenge on his death, and Macbeth notices this.
Now that Macbeth has taken life, his life will be taken- his bloody path of murder must
lead to other murders
Techniques: repetition
Audience:
Audience may be fearful of what will happen to him because of his actions
Links:
Macbeth alludes to the sons of Duncan earlier in Act 3, scene 1, with the word "bloody"
Context:
the Elizabeth Chain of Being: whatever affects one thing affect others
Alternative interpretation: the shedding of Banquo's blood will have to lead to (get) the
shedding of his sons' blood as well, because the prediction was that Banquo should be
the father of kings, which Macbeth can't allow.
Reference to the predictions of the three witches in Act 1, scene 3, who have told
Banquo that his "blood" will have "blood" (sons)--"Thou shall get kings, though thou be
none"
Macbeth is feeling both guilt and paranoia.
Theme of Revenge Quote 2
Quote: 'Banquo, with his blood-clotted hair, is smiling at me'
Explanation: ACT 4
