I am in blood, stepp'd in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

I am covered in blood.

But I've stepped down and in so far that should I wade in any further there will be no more of me visible. 

My friends could see I was returning and were relieved.

That wasn't as tedious as watching me go over the photographs afterwards. 

"I am in blood, stepp'd in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er." Spoken by Macbeth after Banquo's murder, during his descent into further violence, act 3, scene 4, line 136. 

Meaning

• "I am in blood, stepp'd in so far" - Macbeth has committed so many murders (starting with Duncan) that he feels he's already deep in guilt. 

• "Should I wade no more" - Even if he stops now...

• "Returning were as tedious as go o'er" - Going back (repenting or stopping) would be just as hard as continuing forward with more crimes. 

• Overall interpretation - Macbeth feels trapped by his own actions. He believes he's gone too far to turn back, so he might as well keep going, even if it means more bloodshed. 

Exam advice

• Context - Macbeth has just had Banquo killed and Fleance has escaped. He's incredibly paranoid and plotting more violence.

• Theme of guilt and consequences - Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt but continues down a path of destruction. 

• Metaphor of wading through blood - The image of wading through a river of blood shows how consumed he is by violence. 

• Character development - This marks the point where Macbeth stops hesitating and fully embraces his role as a tyrant. 

• Tone - The line is resigned and fatalistic, Macbeth feels stuck in his own choices.