O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

Oh my! Look I'm full of scorpions.

But where is my mind, dear wife!

"O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!" Macbeth is agitated and says this to his wife. Act 2, scene 2, line 36.

Meaning

• "full of scorpions is my mind" - Macbeth's thoughts are poisonous and restless, like scorpions stinging his mind.

• "dear wife" - He is addressing Lady Macbeth, but despite the affectionate tone, his mind is consumed by dark thoughts. 

• Macbeth is anxious and tormented because Banquo and Fleance are still alive. The witches' prophecy said Banquo's descendants would be kings, so Macbeth feels threatened. He cannot relax until they are dead. 

Exam Advice

• Context - Macbeth has already killed Duncan, but now he fears Banquo and Fleance. This line shows his growing paranoia. 

• Imagery - The scorpion metaphor vividly conveys Macbeth's mental torment and violent intentions. 

• Theme of ambition and paranoia - Macbeth's ambition has made him ruthless. He won't stop killing to secure his power.

•  Character development - Earlier, Lady Macbeth was the driving force behind murder, now, Macbeth takes control and plots Banquo's death without her. 

• Foreshadowing (be a warning of a future event) - Macbeth is about to order Banquo and Fleance's assassination, showing his moral descent.