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Macbeth Quotes Analysis

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The Serpent Among Rats By: Victory Ugbah

From the beginning to the end of the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, masculinity has been a key term surrounding each and every character. Focusing in on Macbeth himself, he has killed any and everyone who stood blocking his way to gain power. Starting with those closest to him (King Duncan, and Banquo) and slowly but surely seeking to eliminate anyone he feels questions his authority, masculinity, and/or ambition.

Macbeth is tempted by nothing but his own pride to kill others. We witness him fall victim to his own selfish inclinations many a time, “Is this a dagger which I see before me? A dagger of the mind, a false creation proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” (Act 2, sc. 1 pg 52-53) …show more content…

Lady Macbeth tells us in Act 2 sc. 2 “…I shame to wear a heart so white” Elucidating that it is not of Macbeth’s nature to kill, he heart isn’t built to kill the innocent. Therefore he is being manipulated by something. The witches. The oxymoron “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” quite sums up both how the witches know Macbeth’s past, present, and future, as well as how easy Macbeth is for them to manipulate. Macbeth’s first ever words in the book are, “foul and fair” and being that the witches repeat it, it must represent who he will be forced to become. In Act 1, sc. 3 The witches reveal Baquo’s fortune to have a longer impact on the world being that his sons will rule. This in which they are establishing a clear difference between Macbeth (who has no children) and Banquo (who has more than one). Making Macbeth seem inferior to Banquo even though he will be king himself. Altogether setting Macbeth against Banquo from the start, and making Macbeth feel as if he has to compromise to make up for his lack of

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