Macbeth Quotations Honors

To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd.

Banquo and Macbeth are becoming suspicious of each other's intentions. Macbeth. Act 3 scene 1

"Fair is foul, and foul is fair."

In Macbeth, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" is a motif that runs throughout the play. At the most basic level, it means that appearances can be deceiving: that which seems "fair" and good is actually "foul" and evil. The best example of this theme is Macbeth himself. At the beginning of the play, King Duncan believes Macbeth to be a loyal servant but Macbeth eventually betrays Duncan's trust and murders him to steal the throne. -Macbeth Act 1, Scene 1

Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue; look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't.

Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he should make sure his face is not readable when he goes through with the murder. -Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 5)

"By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes."

Macbeth approaches to discover his fate. His character flaw is showing -2nd witch, Act 4, scene 1

"There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face."

This is important because it's hard to tell if the people are lying or not -Duncan Act I, Scene 4

"Good Sir, why do you start; and seem to fear things that do sound so fair? I' the name of truth, are y fantastical?"

This is significant because Banquo has fear of these evil witches but Macbeth is almost fascinated by them and intrigued to know his future and believe it. Banquo // Act 1, Scene 3

"I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself And falls on the other."

This is significant because it shows macbeth's ambition (to be the king) yet at the same time still hesitating. -Macbeth Act I Scene 7

"False face must hide what the false heart doth know"

This is significant because this is a summarized statement of what's just happened and that he must act pleasant though he has murder in his heart. - Macbeth Act 1, 2

Whence is that knocking?— How is't with me, when every noise appals me? What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes. 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. v

This is significant, because Macbeth had to carry out the murder of Duncan. He looks at his own hands, covered with blood. As he looked at them, he felt like it wasn't him. -Macbeth Act 2, scene 2

"O worthiest cousin, The sin of my ingratitude even now Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before That swiftest wing of recompense is slow To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved, That the proportion both of thanks and payment Might have been mine! Only I have left to say, More is thy due than more than all can pay.''

This quote is significant because it shows Duncan's gratitude toward Macbeth, while Macbeth is planning his murder on Duncan. -Duncan, Act 1 Scene 4

"Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires."

This shows that he doesn't want people to know his true motives and thoughts -Macbeth (Act 1 Scene 4)

"Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day."

This symbolizes that anything may happen in this book with Macbeth and his fight to become the King which the witches have prophesied. -Macbeth (Act 1 Scene 3)