We've listed some well-known quotes from one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies.

A man and a woman in Elizabethan outfits kneel before a plate, into which sand is falling
A scene from the 2011 production of Macbeth, directed by Michael Boyd
Photo by Ellie Kurttz © RSC Browse and license our images

First Witch: When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning, or in rain?
Second Witch: When the hurly-burly's done,
When the battle's lost and won.
Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.
First Witch: Where the place?
Second Witch: Upon the heath.
Third Witch: There to meet with Macbeth.
(Act 1 Scene 1)

Fair is foul, and foul is fair:
Hover through the fog and filthy air.
(Witches, Act 1 Scene 1)

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly.
(Macbeth, Act 1 Scene 7)

Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee:
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
(Macbeth, Act 2 Scene 1)

That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold:
What hath quenched them hath given me fire.
(Lady Macbeth, Act 2 Scene 2)

Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep:  the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labor's bath,
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast.
(Macbeth, Act 2 Scene 2)

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand?
(Macbeth, Act 2 Scene 2) 

It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.
(Macbeth, Act 3 Scene 4)

Double, double toil and trouble:
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.
(Witches, Act 4 Scene 1)

By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
(Second Witch, Act 4 Scene 1)

Macbeth shall never vanquished be until
Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill
Shall come against him.
(Third apparition, Act 4 Scene 1)

What's done cannot be undone.
(Lady Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 1)

And let the angel whom thou still hast served
Tell thee: Macduff was from his mother's womb
Untimely ripped.
(Macduff, Act 5 Scene 7)

Lay on, Macduff,
And damned be him that first cries, ‘Hold, enough!’
(Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 7)

 

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