Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Macbeth: Ambition
GCSE English Literature Macbeth Ambition Quotes (+ Analysis)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Two truths are told As happy prologues to the swelling act Of th’imperial theme (1.3) | Macbeth speaks these lines as he realizes that the witches’ prophecy has come true. These lines hint at Macbeth’s ambition and foreshadow his later actions even though, at this point in the play, he seems to refuse to consider acting upon it. |
| Thou wouldst be great Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it (1.5) | Lady Macbeth speaks these lines as she reflects on her husband’s character. These lines reflect Lady Macbeth’s own philosophy of power, in which only individuals who are willing to set their morality aside will rise to greatness. |
| I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’other (1.7) | Macbeth speaks these lines as he starts to doubt his plan to murder Duncan. The passage describes the tension between Macbeth’s unwillingness to move ahead with his plan, and his acknowledgement that his ambition is leading him down a dangerous path. |
| To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus (3.1) | Macbeth speaks this line after he has become king. This quote reveals how Macbeth’s first violent action sets off a chain reaction of him continuing to commit violent actions in order to maintain his hold on the power he has gained. |
| "By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes." | They describe "this way comes" as a passive action - suggests the witches are observers of fate, rather than active agents as suggested in "stars hide your fires" in the previous act. |
| "I dare do all that may become a man" | Lady Macbeth wants to rid her feminism to become almost a "man" but still commands Macbeth to keep his masculinity. Lady Macbeth sees manhood as an equivalent to making rash actions and cruelty, even though it is shown to stem from the supernatural. |
| "I dare do all that may become a man" (Extra Analysis) | Noun phrase "who dares do more" - Macbeth describes manhood as a limit for actions whereas Lady Macbeth wants to use it for a justification for more action |
| "I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself and falls on th'other -" (Extra Analysis) | Verb "spur" - shows clear impetus for committing the murder. Noun phrase "vaulting ambition" - Macbeth is keenly aware of his motivations and is not instantly convinced by the desire. |
Created by:
Jascelectronic
Popular Literature sets