Act 1

“All fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

(Appearance Versus Reality theme)
These words are said by the three witches in a scary voice to set the
tone for the rest of the play about how we should never trust looks as
they’re always deceiving and misleading. These words introduce the
theme of “Appearance Versus Reality” which is reoccurring throughout
the play.

--
"For brave Macbeth -- well he deserves that name"

These words are said by the Sergeant to King Duncan. He says these
words in the middle of battle after Macbeth's heroic efforts against the
rebels. The Sergeant says this because Macbeth showed great bravery
and skills in combat. These words emphasize Macbeth's reputation as a
fearless warrior.

--
“Till he unseam'd him from the nave to th' chops”

These words are said by the Sergeant to describe how Macbeth fought against
the rebel Macdonwald, these words mean that Macbeth cut Macdonwald
open from his belly to his jaw. This scary and graphic image emphasizes the
brutality of the battle against the rebels and also shows Macbeth's combat
skills.
--
"No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive our bosom interest. Go
pronounce his present death and with his former title greet Macbeth"
(Appearance Versus Reality theme)

These words are said by King Duncan to Ross and Angus. He said these words
in response to the news of the treachery of the former Thane of Cawdor,
which appeared loyal to the king but ultimately proved otherwise,
emphasizing the theme of Appearance Versus Reality. King Duncan
commands Ross and Angus to make sure that the traitor is executed and that
Macbeth is rewarded with the title "Thane of Cawdor".
--
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen”
(Appearance Versus Reality theme)

These words are said by Macbeth after he and Banquo meet the witches for
the first time. These words indicate that things can be both good and bad
simultaneously and that the world is full of opposites and things are not
always what they seem which follows the theme of Appearance Versus Reality.
These words also emphasize the confusion Macbeth is in as he has just
received the prophecy that he will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually
king.

“Lesser than Macbeth, and greater”

(Appearance Versus Reality theme)

These words are said by the witches to Banqu. They tell Banquo that he will be
"lesser than Macbeth and greater," suggesting that while he will not become
king himself like Macbeth, he will be the father of a line of kings, which also
falls under appearance versus reality theme as on the outside things sway in
favor of Macbeth but it's actually the other way around.
--
"Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more. By Sinel's death I know I am
Thane of Glamis, but how of Cawdor?"

These words are said by Macbeth in response to the witches' prophecies

about his future. He calls them "imperfect speakers" because their words seem
vague and incomplete. Macbeth shows his desire to hear more about his
prophecies and asks how he could become Thane of Cawdor, as he's already
Thane of Glamis. This quote reflects Macbeth's curiousity and ambition about
his future.
--
“He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor”

These words are said by Ross to Macbeth. Ross is informing Macbeth that
King Duncan has ordered him to be addressed as the new Thane of Cawdor as
a reward for his bravery and loyalty in battle. It happens soon after Macbeth
meets the witches and informed him of the prophecy and that made Macbeth
start believing their predictions as one of them already happened.
--

“Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind.”

(Overambition theme)

The theme here is over-ambition. Macbeth is a victimizer since he is not

satisfied and he aims for a higher position. Macbeth says these words to
himself as he starts to think about what the witches about his future. These
words are said right after he is told about his new title (Thane of Cawdor)
which is one of the things the witches predicted. The over-ambition here is
emphasized by Macbeth's will to achieve greater things than what he already
achieved, stating that the best is yet to come which is becoming king.
--

“Cannot be ill; cannot be good”

These words are said by Macbeth after hearing the witches' prophecies about
his future. He says these words in response to the conflicting emotions he
feels about the witches' predictions emphasizing the feeling of uncertainty
and suggesting that they cannot be entirely good or entirely bad which also
emphasizes Macbeth's internal struggle.
--

“Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid imagine”

(Overambition theme)
The theme here is overambition. He speaks those words after hearing the
witches' prophecy that he will become king. Macbeth enters a sense of
internal conflict and struggle between his desire for power and the haunting
consequences of his actions. It's a battle between his ambition and morality.
"My thoughts, whose murder yet is but fantastical"
(Overambition theme)

These words are said by Macbeth after hearing the witches' prophecy that he
will become king. Macbeth realizes that the idea of murdering King Duncan to
seize the throne is just a fantasy in his mind. However, he also realizes the
potential consequences. This quote reflects Macbeth's internal struggle with
his desires and his morals.
--
“Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter the Prince of
Cumberland”

These words are said by King Duncan declaring his intention to visit Macbeth's
castle and to announce that his eldest son, Malcolm, will be given the title
Prince of Cumberland. By giving this title to Malcolm, Duncan makes him the
heir to the throne of Scotland which interfers with Macbeth's ambition to
become king himself.
--
“The price of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall or else
o'erleap,for in my way it lies.”
(Over-ambition theme)

These words are said by Macbeth to himself immediately after King Duncan
announces that his eldest son, Malcolm, will be named the Prince of
Cumberland. Macbeth realizes that Malcolm's new status is going to be an
obstacle to his ambition to become king, likening it to a step he must fall
upon or find a way to overcome, like leaping over it. This quote falls under the
theme of Macbeth's over-ambition.

“Stars, hide you fires”

These words are said by Macbeth as he thinks about his plan to murder king
Duncan. He asks tthe stars to hide their light so that his evil intentions are
hidden from the heavens. Macbeth feels the need to hide his true intention
from the world. This quote reflects Macbeth's growing ambition and moral
corruption as time goes on.
--
“Let not light see my black and deep desires”
(Appearance versus reality theme)

These words are said by Macbeth as they reveal his inner turmoil and dark
desires that are driving him towards his ambition of becoming king. The
theme here is appearance versus reality since he confesses that he hides
wicked intentions. He asks the darkness to cover his wicked intentions and
conceal them from the light of day. It also shows that Macbeth realizes his
intentions are immoral yet he plans on carrying them out regardless to
achieve his ambition.
--

“This that I have thought good to deliver thee, that thou might not lose
and dues of rejoicing"
(Overambition theme)

These words are said by Lady Macbeth in a letter to her husband Macbeth
after she knew about the witches' prophecies and Duncan coming to visit their
castle. She advises him not to let any doubts or fears prevent him from seizing
the opportunity to achieve his ambitions. The theme here is overambition as
Lady Macbeth wants her husband to not miss the opportunity to become king.

“Yet I do fear thy nature; it is full o' the milk of human kindness to catch
the nearest way”
“Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it”
(Overambition theme)
These words are said by Lady Macbeth. She expresses her concern that
Macbeth it too kind-hearted to take the steps to fullfill his ambition to
become king. She fears that his nature is too gentle likening it to the milk of
human kindness which she believes hinders him from taking a wicked action.
The theme here is overambition as Lady Macbeth is doing her best to
persuade her husband to kill Duncan.

--
"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! Make thick my
blood, stop up th' access and passage to remorse"
(Overambition theme)
These words are said by Lady Macbeth she calls upon the spirits to take her
femininity away ("unsex me here") and replace it with cruelty, from head to toe.
She wishes to be emptied of any form of compassion so it doesn't stand in the
way of achieving her ambition. The theme here is overambition.
“Look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't”
(Appearance versus reality theme)

These words are said by Lady Macbeth as she advises Macbeth on how to
behave in preparation for King Duncan's visit to their castle. She encourages
him to appear innocent and welcoming, like a flower, while secretly planning
his murder like a serpent. This metaphor reflects the theme of appearance
versus reality and that Lady Macbeth here is a victimizer and Macbeth is just
following her orders.
--
“All our service, in every point, twice done, and then done double, were
poor and single business to contend against those honour deep and
broad wherewith your majesty loads our house: for those of old, and the
late dignities heap’d up to them”
(Appearance versus reality theme)

These words are said by Lady Macbeth to King Duncan upon his arrival at
Macbeth's castle. She welcomes him as his hostess expressing honor while
secretly planning his murder, she was faking delight which reflects on the
theme of appearance versus reality.
--
“If it were done when 'tis done, then 't were well”
(Poetic Justice theme)

These words are said by Macbeth he thinks about the murder of King Duncan.
He wishes that the murder did not have any consequences so that it would
bring him only susccess, however, he's aware that it's impossible since any evil
deed has to be punished which reflects on the theme of poetic justice.

“That we but teach bloody instructions, which being taught, return to

plague"
(Poetic justice theme)

Macbeth says these words to himself as he's aware of the consequences of

murdering King Duncan extends beyond his fate. The phrase "bloody
instructions" suggests that by committing regicide would set an example for
others that violence is a solution. He fears that the cycle of violence started by
himself would come back to haunt him.
--
"This even-handed justice commends th' ingredients of our poisoned
chalice"
(Poetic Justice theme)

These words are said by Macbeth as he thinks about the consequences of his
actions. Macbeth realizes that his evil deeds will haunt him and he recognizes
that God is fair which emphasizes the theme of poetic justice.
--

“Then, as his host, who should against his murder shut the door, not bear
the knife myself”

These words are said by Macbeth as he thinks about the morality of his
murderous plans. Macbeth says these words to himself and they emphasize
the theme of overambition since Duncan wants to be the king.
--
I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition,
which o'eerleap itself and falls on th' other"
(Overambition theme)

These words are said by Macbeth to himself. He realizes that he has no reason
to kill King Duncan other thanhis own greedy ambition. He compares
overambition to riding on a horse. He calls his ambition "vaulting" meaning it
is excessive and leaps beyond its limits which reflects on the theme of
overambition.
--

“Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act valour as thou art in
desire?”
(Overambition and Manipulation theme)
These words are said by Lady Macbeth, showing her as a victimizer and
reflects on the theme of manipulation and overambition. She is talking to her
husband and plays on his weakness points. rage in She puts their love to the
test and accuses him of fear. She challenges his masculinity and courage in
order to persuade him to carry out the murder.
Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know how tender 'tis to love
the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have
pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums and dash'd the brains out, had
I so sworn as you have done to do this.
(Overambition theme)

These words are said by Lady Macbeth and it shows Macbeth as a victimizer
since e promised her to kill the king earlier. Lady Macbeth uses this graphic
image to emphasize her own determination. This quote reveals Lady
Macbeth's ruthlessness to achieve her ambitions. The theme here is
overambition.