need some macbeth quotes explained--------.?

Question

what do they mean when they say these quotes and why are they significant?

Macbeth during the banquet:
“I am in blood
Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o’er.”

Macbeth:
"thou art the best o' th' cutthroats
Yet he's good taht did the like for Fleance.
If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil."
Macbeth:
"Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect,
Whole as the marble, founded as the rock,
As broad and general as the casing air.
But now i am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound
Too saucy doubts and fears. --But Banquo's safe?

Macbeth:
Stay you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.
By Sinel's death i know i am Thane of Glamis.
But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives..."

Answer 1

In the first quote, MacBeth realizes that he's past the point of no return. After all of the assassinations he's done and had done, there is no way for him to back out cleanly, and the only way for him to hold on to his position and his life would only be through more bloodshed. This scene sets MacBeth's frame of mind as paranioa sets in, leading into the climax.

To understand the second and third quotes, you need to know that MacBeth had order a hit on his rival, Banquo and his son, Fleance. In the quote, the hit already occurred (Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes) and MacBeth is now debriefing his assassin. The reason why MacBeth is interested in the death of these two is because the witches prophesized to him that the descendants of Banquo would rule in a long succession, and MacBeth wanted to avoid this.

The third quote leads from the second, when the assassin reports to MacBeth that Fleance has escaped. When the assassin had told MacBeth that Banquo was killed, MacBeth was feeling pretty secure about his position, but when he learns that Fleance is still out there, it really throws him for a loop, because now the witches' prophesy is still a possibility, and like THE GODFATHER, you always worry about the son coming back to avenge the father.

The final quote occurs early in the play. The witches tease MacBeth about his future, and now he wants to know more. He already had the title of Thane (similar to a duke, earl, or baron) of Glamis, but he did not know that King Duncan was planning on appointing Cawdor to him as well. What the witches tell him, especially after the first prophesy comes to pass, sets the ball rolling for the rest of the play.

Answer 2

I could not be more guilty.

If you are what I have heard of you, you are the greatest of cutthroats.

I've got the shakes. (probably palpations)

You say that I be greater than I am. How?