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All Site ContentMacbethAct 4Scene 3
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“the brightest fell”
Allusion
Act 4,
Scene 3
Lines 18a-24a

An explanation of the phrase, “Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell” in Act 4, Scene 3 of myShakespeare’s Macbeth.

Macduff

I am not treacherous.

Malcolm

                                       But Macbeth is.
A good and virtuous nature may recoil
In an imperial charge. But I shall crave your pardon;    
That which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose;
Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell.
Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace,
Yet grace must still look so.

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

[Enter a Doctor]

Malcolm

Doctor

Malcolm

[Exit Doctor]

Macduff

Malcolm

[Enter Ross]

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Malcolm

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Malcolm

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Malcolm

Macduff

Ross

Macduff

Ross

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

Macduff

Malcolm

[Exit]

According to some religious texts, Lucifer was once the brightest of angels, before rebelling against God and becoming the Devil.

(Lucifer, Mihaly Zichy, 19th century)