Macbeth

Macbeth

1. Macbeth is ambitious

   • "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition"
   • "The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on which I must fall down or else o'erleap"
   • Macbeth is a strong warrior and is willing to commit murder in order to get what he wants
   • "Come Fate into the list"

2. Macbeth is brave

   • "brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name"
   • "I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd"
   • The King makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor for his bravery in battle
   • He doesn't feel guilty for killing on the battlefield - he was acting under orders
   • "I will try to the last"

3. Macbeth is easily influenced

   • He suddenly wants to be king after being told it is a possibility by the witches
   • Lady Macbeth: "Leave all the rest to me"
   • "Thou marshall'st me the way"
   • "Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane I cannot taint with fear"
   • "I bear a charmed life which must not yield to one of woman born"

4. Macbeth is a villain

   • He kills Duncan for his own gain
     • "his virtues will plead like angels"
   • "leave no rubs nor botches in the work"
   • "it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell"
   • Lady Macduff: "I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world where to do no harm in often laudable"
   • "Let not the light see my black and deep desires."

5. Macbeth is conflicted

   • "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair"
   • "If we should fail?"
   • "Wake Duncan with thy knocking: I would thou couldst"
   • "This is a sorry sight"

6. Macbeth feels guilty

   • "Will all great Neptune's oceans wash this blood clean from my hand?"
   • "Macbeth does murder sleep."

7. Macbeth is determined

   • "that is a step on which I must fall down or else o'erleap"
   • "More shall they speak for I am bent to know"
   • "The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstling's of my hand"

8. Macbeth is not determined

   • "I am in blood stepp'd in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er"
   • "all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death"
   • "Come fate into the list"