Lay on, Macduff, And damn'd be him that first cries, Hold, enough

Summary

This quote is from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where it is spoken by Macbeth in the final scene. In this context, Macduff is poised to fight against Macbeth, who is determined to defend himself till the end. Macbeth's words "Lay on, Macduff" show his resolve to confront his enemy fearlessly and fight until the end. Additionally, his exclamation "And damn'd be him that first cries, Hold, enough" demonstrates his refusal to surrender or show weakness. It encapsulates Macbeth’s defiant spirit and his unwillingness to back down, emphasizing his tragic downfall due to his irrepressible ambition.