Explication of Important Quotes from Act 5 of Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth Quote Explications – Act V (5)

Theme: Light vs. Dark

Quote: “…she has light by her continually; ‘tis her command.” (V, I)

Explication: Lady Macbeth is spotted sleep walking in the Ante-room of the castle by a Doctor and a gentlewoman. She is carrying a candlestick for light, which is ironic because it is useless to her since her “eyes are open…but their sense is shut.” The doctor also notices she is rubbing her hands as if she is trying to cleanse them, perhaps from bloodshed; indicating she is guilty of something. All the while, Lady Macbeth has been suffering of maladies, approaching death, which compounded with guilt, are her motives for having a light by her side at all times. Because light is symbolic of God and good and is antithetical of dark, which constitutes her character, she is experiencing guilt, so carrying a light is her soothing remedy in an attempt to earn forgiveness.

Theme: Clothing

Quote: “…now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief.” (V, III)

Explication: Contributing to a heated conversation about Macbeth’s illegitimacy and wrong doings committed during his term as King of Scotland, Angus says this quote about Macbeth. Macbeth’s secrets have become public knowledge; therefore, it has been declared he will be removed from the throne, forcibly. Angus accuses Macbeth of being a dwarfish thief, which is totally appropriate given the circumstances by which he became King. Angus also says Macbeth’s robes fit loosely, which means Macbeth cannot even compare to Duncan’s stature when he was king. Macbeth has not lived up to the standards set by Duncan. The fact that the robes do not fit him means he is illegitimate and undeserving of the Throne.

Theme: Nature as Symbols

Quote: “Or so much as it needs to dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.” (V, III)

Explication: In this quote nature is referenced to symbolize a conflict between two parties. Malcolm will soon wage war on Macbeth, in order to rid him of the throne. Two objects are symbolic in this quote: the sovereign flower, which is the rightful holder of the throne, and the weeds, which are Macbeth and his accomplices. Lennox says they need to drown the weeds, or remove Macbeth. By doing so, they can “dew the sovereign flower,” or appoint Malcolm as king since he has proven his loyalty to Duncan the entire time.

Explication of Important Quotes from Act 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth Quote Explications – Act III (3)

Theme: Gender Roles

Quote: “…Feed, and regard him not. Are you a man?” (III, IV)

Explication: At dinner, as Macbeth is having an episode, Lady Macbeth quickly interrupts her husband’s alarming behavior. Ghostly hallucinations haunt Macbeth because he has just issued his friend, Banquo, his demise. The possibility that Macbeth is actually witnessing Banquo’s vengeful soul is slim, so he is probably just folding under the weight of all the guilt he has amounted. During his outbreak, Lady Macbeth’s line, “Are you a man?” is significant because it characterizes Macbeth’s behavior as being feminine and weak. Macbeth has now killed several people and has been appointed to the throne, so he should not be frightened by what he is seeing. This quote reflects the “Gender Roles” theme because Lady Macbeth, who is a woman, is questioning Macbeth’s masculinity, as well as his dedication to their plan.

Theme: Nature

Quote: “ There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled hath nature that in time will venom breed.” (III,IV)

Explication: A terrible deed has just been enacted. Banquo’s murderers return to Macbeth’s castle to inform him of their success. However, Fleance, Banquo’s son, escaped from death’s reach and is a witness to the crime. Complications remain unsettled for Macbeth; Fleance is still alive; therefore, his position in the throne lacks security, since Fleance is prophesized to become a king. This quote serves to be significant by revealing Macbeth’s feelings towards Banquo and Fleance. Serpents are seen as evil, unfavorable, and harmful creatures, so it is appropriate that he refers to them as serpents because he views them as impediments to his glory.

Theme: Light vs. Dark

Quote: “A light, a light/ Who did strike out the light?” (III, III)

Explication: The second murderer whispers “a light, a light” when he spots Banquo and Fleance on their way to the Banquet at Macbeth’s Castle. The three murderers, who were hired by Macbeth, are moments away from killing Banquo. It is important to pay close attention to the light in this situation, because it is present for several reasons. Light signifies knowledge and goodness. Taking that into consideration, one reason the light is significant can be deciphered to mean that the murderers believed they were doing a good deed for Macbeth, their King. However, the light is extinguished, surrounding them in darkness, which signifies evil and lack of knowledge in their case, so their good deed is actually backed by evil motives of which they were unaware.

Explication of Important Quotes from Act 2 of Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth Quote Explications – Act 2

Theme: Gender Roles

Quote: “Help me hence, ho!” (II, III)

Explication: Lady Macbeth says this to all of the men around her after she walks into the room in which King Duncan is lying, dead. The gore overwhelms her, causing her to faint; at least that is what everybody is led to believe. Other possible reasons can explain her dramatic entrance: she is just trying to play along and acts like an innocent bystander, she is trying to draw attention away from her husband, who is being questioned, or she is genuinely surprised by Macbeth’s bold action when he killed the two guards. The most plausible scenario is a combination of two; she is surprised by her husband’s newfound strength and she is trying to direct everyone’s attention away from her husband, so that he is not placed under suspicion. This quote reflects the theme of “Gender Roles” because Lady Macbeth is characterized as being feminine and squeamish.

Theme: Nature as Symbols

Quote: “And Duncan’s horses – a thing most strange and certain…contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind/ ‘Tis said they eat each other.” (II, IV)

Explication: This is a conversation occurring between Ross and an old man, who is a priest coming to see King Duncan’s corpse. King Duncan has just been murdered and all of the horses are fighting with each other. The fact that the horses are fighting with each other has a deeper meaning than it suggests. Significantly, this quote uses nature as symbols to represent all of the turmoil that has recently happened. The quote reflects the theme of “Nature as Symbols” by using horses, which are noble and strong creatures, to symbolize the power struggle between Macbeth and King Duncan. The horses, who are most likely related and usually get along well, symbolize Macbeth’s relationship with King Duncan since they were cousins and Macbeth was loyal to him.

Theme: Fair and Foul

Quote: “…where we are there’s daggers in men’s smiles: the near in blood, the nearer bloody.” (II,III)

Explication: Donalbain, one of King Duncan’s sons, says this to his brother Malcolm. Their father has just been found lying dead in his bed and people are beginning to ask questions as to who committed the offense. They quickly become suspects, being the King’s sons, especially Malcolm, who was recently named the Prince of Cumberland and is next in line to inherit the throne. They also feel like their safety is threatened because if someone killed their father to gain the throne, then they would have to kill both sons as well. The quote serves to show the brothers’ feelings of uneasiness and that they can no longer trust those who are most loyal and closest to them. “The near in blood” is describing their relatives and “the nearer bloody” means that those relatives will do anything to see that they inherit the throne. This quote reflects the theme of “Fair and Foul” because the people who were supposedly loyal to King Duncan, whom he placed his trust in because they appeared to loyal and friendly, unexpectedly killed him.

Explication of Important Quotes from Act 1 of Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth Quote Explications – Act I (1)

Theme: Fair and Foul

Quote: “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face: he was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.” (I, IV)

Explication: King Duncan says this to Malcolm after he learns of Cawdor’s death. The reader can infer that King Duncan previously had a close, trusting relationship with the Thane of Cawdor, before he joined the rebellion. Cawdor can also be characterized as a deceitful person. This quote also foreshadows another situation in which King Duncan is betrayed by another person, who is close to him, such as when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill him to gain the throne. This quote relates to the theme of “fair and foul” because King Duncan is deceived by someone whom he perceives as fair. He was fooled by Cawdor’s impression because he was not aware of his true character.

Theme: Dark vs. Light

Quote: “Stars, hide your fires; let not light see my black and deep desires: the eye wink at the hand; yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (I,IV)

Explication: Macbeth says this to himself after he has been announced as the Thane of Cawdor and Malcolm has been named The Prince of Cumberland by his father, King Duncan. Macbeth whispers this quote to himself almost as if he is annoyed that he has to overcome another obstacle in order to gain the throne. Significantly, this quote serves to show Macbeth is afraid of his prophecy, but at the same time enthralled by it. He is frightened by his desire to be King, because it means that King Duncan, who he is loyal to, must die, most likely by his hands. Light vs. Dark related to this quote because is directly symbolizes characteristics of Macbeth; the light represents his goodness and loyalty to King Duncan, while the dark is symbolic of his dark desires.

Theme: Gender Roles

Quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty!” (I, V)

Explication: Lady Macbeth says this to herself after a messenger informs her that King Duncan is coming to visit her and Macbeth at their castle. She sees an opportunity to get rid of King Duncan, so that Macbeth can take the throne, and she does everything in her power to follow through with it. This quote serves to characterize Lady Macbeth as selfish, merciless, and inconsiderate. She is an evil person, who is seeking power and wealth, as well as a negative influence on her husband. Macbeth eventually comes to his senses and realizes the magnitude of the crime he might commit, but Lady Macbeth brainwashes him into doing it by telling him he will do it if he is man. This quote relates to the theme because Lady Macbeth says she would kill King Duncan herself if she were not restricted by being a female. She also questions Macbeth’s masculinity, arguing that he should take control and kill King Duncan since he is the man.