Ambition/Duty

Ambition/Duty

1. "Fair is foul and foul is fair"

   • Shows the succumbing of heroic characters to the temptations of status etc
   • Syntactical inversion; you'd expect fair is fair, but this paradox sets the scene

2. Witches premonition that Macbeth "Shallt be king hereafter"

   • Triggers Macbeth's ambition using equivocatory language (concealing truth"

3. "I have....only vaulting ambition"

   • Macbeth is agonising over killing Duncan, and only his ambition and his wife's urge drives him

4. "Thriftless ambition that will ravin life's own means"

   • Ross comments on the consequences of uncontrollable desire
   • Metaphorical imagery; ravin means devour, like an animal devouring innocent prey
   • About Malcolm fleeing, but ironic as Macbeth will lose his life as well

5. "I would.. dashed the brains out"

   • Biblical reference. Cain was willing to kill his brother, and here LM is willing to kill a baby to carry out regicide

6. "Then you were a man"

   • In those days, men were meant to be fearless. LM taunts Macbeth, questioning his manhood; mockery
   • She is a driving force in the play

7. "Too full o'th'milk of human kindness

   • The play shows his transformation from innocence to evil due to irresistible power offered
   • Imagery; milk associated with babies who are innocent