Common enemy Quote by William Shakespeare
“For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncanhave I murdered; Put rancors in the vessel of my peace Only for them; and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings!”
About This Quote
Source Play: Macbeth, Act 3 Scene 1, 1606
Banquo’s descendants are used as a justification for murder and betrayal, revealing the corrupting power of ambition.
In simple terms: Ambition drives people to betray even family for power.
Beware how ambition can corrupt moral judgment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- family dynamics
- historical analysis
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is the pursuit of power worth the loss of integrity?
- What are the costs of sacrificing others for personal gain?
Ambition can blind one to the humanity of others.