Fate and the supernatural: the full guide is being written.
Until it is ready, here is the theme's shape through the text and its key quotes from the Summary.
The shape of the theme
Where it rises and falls
Central in 11 of the 28 scenes; it runs strongest in Act 5 and quietest in Act 4.
- Quotes on the theme (a bigger dot, more quotes)
- Set as an AQA extract
Use this in the exam: find your extract's scene, then follow the theme forward. Tracing how it rises, falls or changes from the extract to the whole play is what the top level rewards.
Key quotes
14 quotes, in the order they come in the text. Point at or tap an underlined word for its note.
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth1 hath won.2
Duncan to Ross and the lords
Act 1, Scene 2, line 78
The Weïrd1 Sisters, hand in hand, / Posters2 of the sea and land, / Thus do go about, about, / Thrice to thine and thrice to mine / And thrice again, to make up nine. / Peace, the charm's wound up.3
The Witches to each other (a chanted spell)
Act 1, Scene 3, line 33
So foul1 and fair a day I have not seen.
Macbeth to Banquo
Act 1, Scene 3, line 39
All hail,1,2 Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!3
First, Second and Third Witch to Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 3, line 51
If you can look into the seeds of time1 / And say which grain will grow and which will not, / Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear2 / Your favors nor your hate.
Banquo to the Witches
Act 1, Scene 3, line 61
Lesser than Macbeth and greater.1 / Not so happy, yet much happier. / Thou shalt get4 kings3, though thou be none.2
First, Second and Third Witch to Banquo
Act 1, Scene 3, line 68
What, can the devil1,2 speak true?3
Banquo to himself and Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 3, line 113
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness1 tell us truths,2 / Win us with honest trifles,3 to betray 's / In deepest consequence.
Banquo to Macbeth
Act 1, Scene 3, line 135
This supernatural soliciting1 / Cannot be ill, cannot be good.2 If ill, / Why hath it given me earnest of success3 / Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth to himself (aside)
Act 1, Scene 3, line 143
If chance1 will have me king, why, chance may crown me / Without my stir.2
Macbeth to himself (aside)
Act 1, Scene 3, line 157
The raven1 himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal2 entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements.3
Lady Macbeth to herself (soliloquy)
Act 1, Scene 5, line 45
Merciful powers,1 / Restrain2 in me the cursèd thoughts3 that nature / Gives way to in repose.
Banquo to heaven, in prayer (Fleance beside him)
Act 2, Scene 1, line 9
Is this a dagger1 which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand?2 Come, let me clutch3 thee.
Macbeth to the dagger he sees (soliloquy)
Act 2, Scene 1, line 44
Thou marshal'st1 me the way that I was going,2 / And such an instrument3 I was to use.
Macbeth to the dagger he sees (soliloquy)
Act 2, Scene 1, line 54