Question

analyze the recurring snake symbolism:

analysis	act i	act iii
literary device(s)
deeper meaning
fulfillment	how the meaning was fulfilled:	macbeths fulfillment plan:

however, macbeth was only half successful with his plan to \kill the snake.\ quote the line that tells you this in scene 4:

Explanation:

Act I Analysis

1. Literary Device(s): The snake is a metaphor comparing deceptive outward innocence to a hidden, dangerous serpent.
2. Deeper Meaning: Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to mask his murderous ambition with a harmless, trustworthy appearance while harboring cruel, power-hungry intentions beneath.
3. Fulfillment: Macbeth pretends to be a loyal, grateful thane to King Duncan, then murders him in his sleep, fulfilling the "serpent under the flower" deception.

Act III Analysis

1. Literary Device(s): The snake is a metaphor for Banquo (and his heirs, the threat to Macbeth's throne) that is only injured, not eliminated.
2. Deeper Meaning: Macbeth recognizes that his murder of Banquo only weakened his rival, not removed the threat entirely—Banquo's son Fleance escaped, leaving the line of heirs intact to challenge Macbeth's crown.
3. Fulfillment Plan: Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance to fully eliminate the threat to his throne.

Final Quote

In Act III, Scene 4, the line confirming Macbeth's half-success is: "Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me." (This refers to Banquo's ghost appearing, proving Fleance survived and the "snake" was not fully killed.)

Answer:

Act I

Category	Details
Deeper Meaning	Mask ambition with innocence
Fulfillment	Pretends loyalty to Duncan, then murders him

Act III

Category	Details
Deeper Meaning	Unfinished threat to Macbeth's throne
Fulfillment Plan	Hire murderers to kill Banquo + Fleance

Confirming Quote

"Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake / Thy gory locks at me." (Act III, Scene 4)