Top 70 Macbeth Important Quotes From Shakespeare's Scottish Play
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The complete name of the play 'Macbeth' is 'The Tragedy Of Macbeth'.
The play 'Macbeth' is a tragic play that was written by William Shakespeare. The play was performed in 1606 for the first time.
The plot of the play is all about the Scottish general Macbeth fighting for King Duncan. He wants to become the King of Scotland himself.
This thought arises in Macbeth's mind when three witches tell him that he is going to become the King of Scotland. To get the throne, Macbeth kills King Duncan. The reign led by Macbeth is tyrannical and bloody and in the end, his reign ends when combined forces from England and Scotland attack him.
The play teaches that destruction is unavoidable when a person has ambition with no moral values and constraints. The first line from the play: "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" is very important.
This is because this line connects the words by the witches with Macbeth and also conveys a message that the play is all about moral confusion. Other than this, there are more famous lines from the play. One among those is "There’s daggers in men’s smiles.
The near in blood, the nearer bloody." Another is, "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on th' other."
This is one of the most important plays and it is still performed in theatres today. 'Macbeth' is famously known as "the Scottish play". All of the characters in the play like Lady Macbeth, the three witches, and others make it very interesting.
So, we have collected 'Macbeth' act 1 important quote ideas, 'Macbeth' act 2 important quote ideas, 'Macbeth' act 3 important quotes, 'Macbeth' act 4 important quotes, and finally 'Macbeth' act 5 important quotes for you to read. Look out for some important Lady Macbeth quotes too!
If you liked reading these quotes, thou should also check out these Lady Macbeth quotes and 'Macbeth' ambition quotes.
The Most Important Quotes In 'Macbeth'
Here, we have collected some of the most important quotes from the play 'Macbeth' written by William Shakespeare. Look out for the most famous line in 'Macbeth': "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble," said by the three witches.
1. "When shall we three meet again
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
When the hurly burly ‘s done,
When the battle's lost and won."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene I.
2. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene I.
3. "Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it."
- Lady Macbeth, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene V.
4. "Let fall thy blade on vulnerable crests; I bear a charmed life, which must not yield to one of woman born."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene VIII.
5. "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly."
The Best Quotes From 'Macbeth'
Read 'Macbeth' quotes from Lady Macbeth and other characters from the play 'Macbeth' in this section.
21. "Things without all remedy
Should be without regard: What’s done is done."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act III, Scene II.
Famous 'Macbeth' Quotes
Here, you will find famous quotes from 'Macbeth' and some 'Macbeth' act 2 important quotes.
37. "Tongue nor heart
Cannot conceive nor name thee!"
- Macduff, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene III.
38. "A little water clears us of this deed."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene II.
39. "This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses."
Essential 'Macbeth' Quotes
Here, you will find important quotes from 'Macbeth' act 1 and more from different scenes and acts.
51. "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me
Without my stir."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene III.
52. "Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it."
- Malcolm, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene IV.
53. "To show an unfelt sorrow is an office which the false man does easy."
- Malcolm, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene II.
54. "Screw your courage to the sticking-place."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene VII.
55. "Lay on, Macduff,
And damned be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'"
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene VII.
56. "It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene III.
57. "A deed without a name.”
- Witches, 'Macbeth', Act IV, Scene I.
58. "My hands are of your color, but I shame
To wear a heart so white."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene II.
59. "Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,'
Like the poor cat i' the adage."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act 1, Scene VII.
60. "Out, damned spot! out, I say!"
- Lady Macbeth, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene I.
61. "Where we are,
There’s daggers in men’s smiles,
The near in blood, the nearer bloody."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene III.
62. "We have scorched the snake, not killed it."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act III, Scene II.
63. "I have supp’d full with horrors; direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts cannot once start me."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene V.
64. "When the battle's lost and won."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene I.
65. "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."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene V.
66. "Confusion now hath made his masterpiece."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene III.
67. "What! can the devil speak true?"
- Banquo, 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene III.
68. "I bear a charmed life."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene VIII.
69. "There's husbandry in heaven;
Their candles are all out."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act II, Scene I.
70. "It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
- William Shakespeare, 'Macbeth', Act V, Scene V.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'Macbeth' important quotes, then why not take a look at these 'Macbeth' Witches quotes or 'The Tempest' quotes too?
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Article image credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com
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A professional content writer hailing from Kolkata, India, with extensive experience in the corporate sector, Writvik Gupta has worked with several reputed companies, including ITC WelcomHotel Jodhpur, Bharti AXA Life Insurance, Aryan Imaging, and Eduquity. He also serves as a consultant for a startup based in Bangalore. With a passion for the outdoors, Writvik enjoys trekking and traveling to remote destinations. He also has a keen interest in exploring various cuisines and regularly volunteers for social causes.
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