The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

Note: You need to know that linguine is pasta in the form of long narrow ribbons. 

I remember the very first time I made linguine into the shape of my heart. 

Shall we do a bee? No!

But it was also the first time I made a linguine into the shape of my hand. 

"The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand." Act 4, scene 1, line 146, spoken by Macbeth. Macbeth has just heard from the witches that Macduff is a threat. He decides to act immediately, ordering the murder of Macduff's family. 

Meaning

• "firstlings of my heart" - Macbeth's initial impulses or emotions.

• "firstlings of my hand" - Macbeth's first actions.

So Macbeth is saying that from now on as soon as he feels something he'll act on it, without hesitation, thought or conscience. He's no longer going to wrestle with his decisions like he did earlier in the play. 

Exam advice 

• Interpretation - Macbeth is rejecting reflection and embracing impulsive violence. This shows how far he's fallen since act 1. Macbeth is now fully consumed by ambition and paranoia. 

• Language - Repetition of "firstlings" emphasizes immediacy - Macbeth is rushing from feeling to action. 

• Metaphor - Macbeth's "heart" (emotion/desires) directly controls his "hand" (actions), showing the loss of reason or moral restraint. 

• Theme of ambition - Macbeth is no longer just ambitious - he's ruthless and unthinking in his pursuit of power. 

• Theme of violence and tyranny - This line marks a shift to brutal, unnecessary cruelty - like killing Macduff's innocent family. 

• Character development - At the start of the play Macbeth was hesitant and plagued by guilt. This line shows he's now completely desensitized and ruled by impulse.