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Macbeth Themes
Themes key quotations
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| GUILT What hands are here they pluck out mine eyes... Will all Great Neptune's oceans wash this blood from my hands? - Macbeth | Repetaed rhetorical questions - guilty and unsure Gory imagery Context - Macbeth has disturbed natural order and defied Divin Right of Kings so must be made to suffer |
| GUILT I'm afraid to think of what I have done. Look upon't again I dare not. - Macbeth | Emotive language Contrast to earlier 'brave Macbeth' - guilt has made him fearful. Context - Macbeth disturbed natural order, must therefore suffer as an example and warning |
| GUILT Wake Duncan with thy knocking, I wouldst thou couldst - Macbeth | Imperative verb 'wake' - Macbeth is more in control Modal verb 'wouldst' - regret and guilt at murder Context - divine right / natural order = need to see Macbeth suffer |
| GUILT Thou canst not say I did it! Ne'er shake thy gory locks at me - Macbeth | Imperative 'ne'er' - desperate to have control modal verb 'canst' - trying to use logic to overcome his guilt Context - Guilt and tyranny making Macbeth mad - disturbed natural order and God's will so must suffer |
| GUILT Out damned spot! Out I say. - Lady Macbeth | Repetition of imperative verb 'out' - trying to retain control despite madness caused by guilt |