To better understand Macbeth, Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad, Head of the Department of English at MKBU, has given us this blog task, where we’ll look at some of the play’s most important quotes and scenes. For background reading this blog by Prof. Dr. Dilip Barad will help you. Worksheet: William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'
Introduction
"So foul and fair a day I have not seen."
-Macbeth
This is Macbeth's first dialogue in the play, and it showcases how the contrasting elements are set forth from the very beginning, not only by the three witches but also by Macbeth himself. Macbeth was first performed in 1606 during the reign of King James I , whose interest in witchcraft and Scottish history may have influenced the theme of the play, and it was only in 1623 that Macbeth appeared in print in the First Folio.
The Study of Quotations
Macbeth's soliloquies are essential for exploring the themes of ambition, guilt, and cruelty. The quotes and scenes that encompass the entire idea of the play are examined here.
Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act I, Scene 3
"This supernatural soliciting
Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill,
Why hath it given me earnest of success,
Commencing in a truth?"
There is a lot of uncertainty and confusion during this soliloquy. After hearing the witches' words, Macbeth is unable to determine if they are a blessing or a curse. He is conflicted about whether to follow the witches' predictions further because he has witnessed one of the greatness they promised him come true. His internal conflict is sown by this upheaval, which demonstrates the conflict between ambition and morality that will guide his path. The quote perfectly captures how Macbeth's thoughts are roused by the supernatural, which causes him to doubt every possibility and prepares him for the decisions that ultimately bring him to his knees.
Macbeth's Soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7
"If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly."
In Act I, Scene 7, Macbeth considers murdering King Duncan. He wants the deed to be expedited, with no repercussions to ensue, because he is concerned with the long-term consequences of the crime. This is a pivotal moment where Macbeth balances his ambition against his conscience and fear of moral punishment. He is aware that murder of Duncan can be a path to power, yet he also observes that it can unleash a plethora of horrific consequences from which it cannot be easily escaped. The lines expose both his desire and reluctance for a straightforward answer to a highly complicated ethical question. As he weighs the action, the reader becomes aware of how ambition obscures judgment and how conscience is a constant barrier to evil.
Macbeth's Soliloquy in Act 2, scene 1
"Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee."
In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth sees a dagger leading him right before he murders Duncan. This vision shows us Macbeth's focus on the act he was going to commit, and his state of mind since we met the three witches. He knows he would be committing a heinous crime, but one could argue he has been driven by his ruined ambition and the feeling that something was going to happen. The surreal nature of the hallucination creates disjunction within reality and he is losing his connection to reality. The inner struggle displays how far his envious desires have penetrated him. When he transitions from thought to planned action under psychological pressure is the dagger visual hallucination, the representation of his guilt and unshakeable resolve.
Macbeth in Act 2, Scene 2
"Whence is that knocking? -
How is't with me, when every noise appalls me? What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes.
Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?"
After killing Duncan, Macbeth is suddenly struck with fear and guilt. He becomes very twitchy, even disturbed by the smallest of sounds, and he feels like the blood on his hands is impossible to remove. The ocean imagery represents his guilt while he feels like all the water could not wash away what he has done. This moment reveals the psychological toll guilt has on Macbeth: He comes to realize he has committed a deed that cannot be taken back. He is stained forever and nothing can wash away his guilt, even if he tried to escape the effects of his act. He feels like the psychological weight is so significant that he worries about losing his mind and the lines illustrate how guilt from one act of violence can follow a person, and become part of their life, and their thoughts forever.
Macbeth's Soliloquy in Act 5, Scene 5
"Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow."
The very idea of life and human existence is questioned here in this soliloquy of Macbeth, where he laments over the immoral decisions he made. The “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” speech in Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5, is a poignant exploration of the passage of time and the futility Macbeth now sees in life. With Lady Macbeth gone, Macbeth articulates the idea that life is merely a succession of gloomy tomorrows, which resemble one another and crawl to their conclusion. The void and emptiness lead him to conclude that all human action ultimately amounts to nothing, and there are no purposes or meaning beyond a slow and agonizing death. He uses vivid imagery, such as life as a “brief candle,” to convey the delicate and evanescent quality of our mortal lives. He compares people to players in a play who play their part before they are forgotten. To him, the world has become a story told by an idiot, full of sound and fury but without meaning. This speech manifests Macbeth's indecision as a man in despair and the tragic effects of his ambition and guilt, as he is left with regret and despair. Even after such a burden of guilt and emptiness within himself, Macbeth faces the outcome with brevity.
Banquo in Act 1, Scene 3
"Oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray's in deepest consequence."
The witches prophesy about Macbeth and Banquo's future in the third scene of the first act. Banquo is not only suspicious of the prophecies, like Macbeth, but he also feels and comprehends the hidden agenda behind them. He sees these prophecies as a lure that will lead them to something terrible in the end. He further depicts the real darkness that lies behind these evanescent lights of truth. One of the witches' prophecies comes true, and Macbeth gradually starts believing them. Banquo warns Macbeth not to believe in or act according to the remaining prophecies because they present trifles of truth that will lead them to greater consequences. At last, we witness that Banquo's suspicion was more practical and faithful than Macbeth's ambitions. But Macbeth's tragic flaw made him follow the path of prophecies that led both of them to their demise, as Banquo predicted in this quote.
Lady Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 5
“The raven himself is hoarse . . .”
Lady Macbeth feels excitement and anticipation upon receiving news that Duncan will arrive at the castle. This means the opportunity to fulfill her ambition is at hand. She describes a raven, a common bird of death, acting as a symbol of death. The raven signals the king's upcoming death. Lady Macbeth's ambition is obvious—it is easy to see that she is already hatching a plan and is eager for the throne to be taken by her husband. Lady Macbeth's willingness to usher in such dark actions, already, identifies her as one of the play's most ambitious and ruthless characters. The passion in her language illustrates how she pushes aside any moral inhibitions to achieve power. It indicates the dangerous influence she will have on Macbeth's decisions and foreshadows the murders that will occur.
Lady Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 1
"Out, damned spot. . . Hell is murky."
Later in the story, Lady Macbeth descends into insanity, actively tortured by the guilty knowledge of her actions. While sleepwalking, she imagines blood on her hands and verbally ruminates on the surrounding factors of uncertainty and horror. This sequence has significance, as it shows the ultimate price of ambition: once proud and undaunted, Lady Macbeth is now utterly destroyed and consumed by melancholy and fear; she cannot escape the psychological torment of her deeds, for her homicidal acts have become a physical and psychological reality in her mind. Both events demonstrate that even those in the strongest and most powerful positions can be undone by conscience. It serves as a compelling warning about the lingering consequences of sinful acts.
The Study of Scenes from the play Macbeth
From the scene of the three witches at the beginning to the last fight between Macbeth and Macduff, the play is filled with striking themes of the supernatural, guilt, and ambition. We will study some of the best scenes to enrich our understanding.
Scenes of Three Witches
The scenes of the three witches are a pillar of the whole play. They enforce a chain of events from the very beginning. When the plot appears to be stagnant, they reappear to propel it forward.
The first scenes in Macbeth with the three witches are striking because they immediately set a mood that is unsettlingly mysterious. These bizarre creatures meet in stormy weather, speaking in confusing riddles that muddle the distinction between good and evil. The witches' language is disconcerting for the characters and audience members, signaling that one cannot always believe what one sees in this world. The prophecies provide fodder for a dark ambition in Macbeth, while activating feelings of dread and uncertainty. The witches do not activate Macbeth's decisions through coercion; rather, their speech activates Macbeth's imagination, which signifies evil and sets a corrupt series of events into motion. The witches have established an eerie air about awareness: every decision thereafter carries huge layers of doubt-driven ulterior motives. The witches' influence signifies how quick people are to question what they believe when presented with mystery, along with temptation. The witches create the tragedies as a result, and they remind us of our proclivity for seeing things we wish for when presented with uncertain signs, and of the tragedies that come when we permit ourselves to be influenced by those signs in the aspiration of our ambitions, when we do not understand or control the forces thrust upon us.
Murder of King Duncan
In Act 2, Scene 2, Macbeth murders King Duncan in his sleep. The scene is tense and filled with guilt and fear. Lady Macbeth stays practical, while Macbeth is deeply shaken, hearing noises and imagining his hands staining the ocean red. This moment is the turning point where ambition leads to irreversible action.
"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red."
Macbeth’s hands are stained with blood that he fears will never be washed clean, and the psychological burden of the crime stays with him. The murder not only ends Duncan’s life but also destroys Macbeth’s inner peace and sense of honor. For the audience, it is a powerful reminder of how a single decision can have lasting, life-changing consequences, and how guilt can haunt us no matter how much we try to hide from it.
Porter Scene
"Here's a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key."
The Porter scene, that serves the purpose of comic relief, occurs after the horrible murder of King Duncan. When the drunken Porter staggers to answer the door, he imagines he is the gatekeeper of hell. There is a bit of a laugh, which gives the audience an awesome breath between so much tension and drama. Even when the humor is apparent, Shakespeare has brilliantly written this short scene somehow complete with meaning. The castle, guilt and secrecy from the murder, can feel like a place of darkness and evil. As if hell really is the gate, as the Porter makes remarks that are silly and clever, just to remind the audience that evil acts can make any place their home, even inside a royal dwelling. The knocking begins to build urgency, indicating the threat of discovery.. Then Macduff and Lennox arrive and the seriousness returns; however, the Porter scene makes one contemplate the reality of judgment and guilt as the irony lingers. Shakespeare writes in honest human moments of confusion and laughter to underscore the sometimes difficult blend of comedy and tragedy. Even in the direst circumstances, human nature often seeks some kind of relief.
Banquet Scene – Visitation of Banquo’s Ghost
"Thou canst not say I did it; never shake
Thy gory locks at me.”
After the murder of King Duncan and his best friend Banquo Macbeth faces immense psychological torment. Macbeth’s fancy dinner party takes a turn for the worse when he suddenly sees the ghost of Banquo. This isn't a casual glimpse; the ghost is sitting in his seat, and only Macbeth can see it. He starts yelling at the empty chair, trying to defend himself against an imaginary accusation of murder. Everyone else at the table is confused and concerned, thinking he’s just gone mad. His wife, Lady Macbeth, tries to smooth things over, but it’s clear their lives are unraveling.
This isn’t just a ghost story; it’s a moment where Macbeth’s deep guilt spills out for everyone to see. He can’t hide his fear, showing how the weight of his crimes is slowly breaking him. The scene is tense and a little tragic, as we watch a king lose his grip on reality right in front of his subjects. This scene unfolds Macbeth's emotional instabilities because of his previous deeds of murdering Banquo for his own ambitions.
Night Walking Scene of Lady Macbeth
"Out, damned spot! Out, I say! ... All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."
If Banquo's scene reflects Macbeth's emotional turmoil, the Night Walking Scene displays Lady Macbeth's psychological tromma. The sleepwalking scene with Lady Macbeth is one of the play’s most moving moments as it explores the effects of guilt on the human mind. Once a figure of strength and cold determination, Lady Macbeth now wanders the castle, tormented by the memory of her crimes. She tries passionately to rub away spots of blood that only she can see, convinced she will never be clean again. The doctor and gentlewoman who observe her realize that she is no longer able to control her own mind. Her words, spoken in a dreamlike, broken manner, reveal how deeply she regrets her role in King Duncan’s murder and all the pain that followed. She confesses to terrible deeds while she sleepwalks, showing that the secrets she tried to hide have become inescapable even in her dreams. This scene makes the audience feel sympathy for Lady Macbeth, as she is shown to be truly human, consumed by feelings of guilt and sadness. Her emotional pain teaches us how conscience can be more powerful and punishing than any outside sentence. The blood is a striking symbol throughout the play that reveals the themes of murder and guilt.
Final Fight Between Macbeth and Macduff
"Lay on, Macduff, And damned be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!"
The famous "tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" soliloquy from Macbeth comes just before this final fight. The final showdown between Macbeth and Macduff is emotional, intense, and full of action, bringing a close to all the tension and themes of the play. Macbeth feels invincible, full of himself and the prophecies he was given by the witches. So, when he encounters Macduff on the battlefield, he first ridicules him, still lost in the comforting words of the witches. When Macduff reveals the truth about his own birth, he immediately shows that Macbeth has miscalculated his own ability from the prophecy. Therefore, in that split second, Macbeth realizes the witches' promises meant deception and the idea that he was invincible buckles beneath the weight of truth. But, even in defeat, he will not run or plead for his life - instead he chooses to die like a hero by fighting almost unquestionably to the end, yet still producing a moment of courage and a flaw called pride. When Macduff is victorious in battle, he is able to restore some hope and order for Scotland, because he follows it up by giving justice to all the families suffering from the consequences of Macbeth's ambition. It is powerful to realize that the secrets and evils someone does to bend fate cannot ultimately stop truth, and justice usually prevails.
Conclusion
The witches breed the seeds of ambition in Macbeth's mind that result in severe outcomes for his and Banquo's families. The quotes and scenes we have discussed are vital to the central idea, themes, and message of the play. These scenes incorporate the elements of guilt, trauma, ambition, and the supernatural.
References
Barad, Dilip. "Macbeth." Dilip Barad's Blog, 8 Dec. 2020, https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2020/12/macbeth.html?m=1. Accessed 09 Aug. 2025.
Perplexity AI. "Explanations of Scenes and Quotations from Macbeth." Perplexity AI, www.perplexity.ai. Accessed 10 Aug. 2025.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Fingerprint classics, 2016.
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