GCSE English Literature

Power in Macbeth7 key quotes with full analysis.

Complete collection of quotes about power in Macbeth for GCSE English Literature, exploring kingship, tyranny, and the corrupting nature of power.

Understanding Power in Macbeth

Power is a central concern in Macbeth, particularly the difference between legitimate and illegitimate power. Duncan represents the divine right of kings - power granted by God. Macbeth's seizure of the throne through regicide creates an illegitimate, tyrannical rule that disrupts the natural order.

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for James I, who had survived the Gunpowder Plot. The play serves as a warning about the consequences of challenging royal authority. Macbeth's power is shown to be hollow - he gains the crown but loses sleep, peace, and ultimately his life.

KingshipTyrannyDivine RightRegicideNatural Order

All Power Quotes

“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here”
Lady MacbethAct 1, Scene 5
GenderAmbitionSupernaturalPower

Context: Lady Macbeth calls upon evil spirits after reading Macbeth's letter about the witches' prophecy.

Analysis

Lady Macbeth invokes dark spirits to strip her of feminine qualities she sees as weaknesses. The verb "unsex" reveals her belief that femininity is incompatible with the ruthlessness needed for murder. This subverts Jacobean gender expectations and establishes her as the driving force behind the regicide.

Language Techniques:

Imperative verbsInvocationSubversion of gender roles

Exam Tip

Link to context: James I's views on gender and witchcraft. Compare to later scenes where her femininity returns through guilt.

“Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers”
Lady MacbethAct 2, Scene 2
GenderPowerMasculinity

Context: Lady Macbeth takes control when Macbeth cannot return the daggers.

Analysis

Lady Macbeth seizes control from her "infirm" husband, inverting traditional gender roles. The exclamatory sentence shows her contempt for his weakness. She takes on the masculine role of action while he freezes with guilt. This is the height of her power before her decline.

Language Techniques:

ImperativeExclamationGender role reversal

Exam Tip

High point of Lady Macbeth's dominance. After this, she gradually loses control while Macbeth hardens.

“I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er”
MacbethAct 3, Scene 4
GuiltConsequences of EvilTyranny

Context: After Banquo's murder, Macbeth reflects on his violent path.

Analysis

The metaphor of wading through blood creates a visceral image of Macbeth's moral decline. "Tedious" is chillingly casual - murder has become routine. The point of no return suggests his humanity is lost. Shakespeare shows how evil becomes self-perpetuating once begun.

Language Techniques:

Extended metaphorImageryEuphemism

Exam Tip

Shows escalation of violence - link to the tragic hero's downfall. Contrast with his earlier hesitation.

“O Scotland, Scotland!”
MacduffAct 4, Scene 3
PatriotismTyrannyKingship

Context: Macduff laments Scotland's suffering under Macbeth's tyranny.

Analysis

The repetition of "Scotland" emphasises Macduff's patriotic grief. He mourns not just for himself but for his entire nation. This establishes him as the true patriot, contrasting with Macbeth who destroys Scotland for personal gain. The exclamatory tone conveys despair.

Language Techniques:

RepetitionApostropheExclamation

Exam Tip

Macduff represents loyalty to Scotland over personal ambition - the opposite of Macbeth.

“This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest”
MalcolmAct 4, Scene 3
TyrannyDeceptionCorruption

Context: Malcolm reflects on how Macbeth has changed.

Analysis

The visceral image of "blisters" shows how Macbeth's name has become poisonous. "Sole name" suggests even speaking of him causes pain. "Once thought honest" reminds us of Macbeth's tragic fall from noble warrior to tyrant. Malcolm shows awareness of how power corrupts.

Language Techniques:

ImageryContrastReflective tone

Exam Tip

Malcolm's awareness of deception makes him a wiser future king than Duncan.

“I am yet unknown to woman”
MalcolmAct 4, Scene 3
VirtueKingshipTesting

Context: Malcolm tests Macduff by claiming various vices, then reveals his true virtue.

Analysis

Malcolm claims virginity to prove his purity, contrasting with the "king-becoming graces" he lists. His test of Macduff shows political wisdom - he will not trust easily like his naive father Duncan. This moment establishes Malcolm as a careful, virtuous future king.

Language Techniques:

Self-characterizationTesting motif

Exam Tip

Malcolm has learned from Duncan's trusting nature. He will be a more cautious king.

“I am in this earthly world; where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly”
Lady MacduffAct 4, Scene 2
Moral InversionTyrannyChaos

Context: Lady Macduff reflects on Scotland's moral chaos.

Analysis

Lady Macduff describes a world where moral values are inverted - echoing "fair is foul." Under Macbeth's tyranny, evil is rewarded and goodness punished. Her observation captures Scotland's corruption. Shortly after, she proves her point by being murdered for innocence.

Language Techniques:

Moral paradoxAntithesisSocial commentary

Exam Tip

Directly links to "fair is foul" theme. Scotland under Macbeth has become morally inverted.

Explore More Macbeth Themes

View quotes organised by other key themes including ambition, guilt, and the supernatural.

All Macbeth QuotesAmbition Theme