Act 1 scene 5

Question 1

What happens in this scene?

Answer 1

1) Lady Macbeth receives and reads Macbeth’s letter
2) Lady M believes the witches the witches predictions
3) Lady M is annoyed she didn’t have prior warning that king Duncan is staying at their castle
4) Lady M realises what must be done and comes up with a plan to kill Duncan
5) She tells the spirits to ‘unsex’ her

Question 2

Why is scene important?

Answer 2

We see the influence Lady M has over Macbeth

First time we see this recurring theme of breaking Jacobean gender stereotypes

It shows us that even through their malicious intents and cruelty, there is still a sense of fear
.Gives them an ounce of humanity

Question 3

What themes and techniques are used in this scene?

Answer 3

Themes:
.Gender- stereotypes
.Murder - Blood lust

Techniques:
Zoomorphism- Compares Macbeth to a serpent, a stereotypically sly and deceptive animal
.Poisonous snake = replacing Lady m’s milk with poison

Religious imagery- Snake in the garden of Edan, persuading a clueless/ innocent individual to commit a terrible act, even though the snake themselves know the consequences

Question 4

Lady M key quote:
Yet I do fear thy ?,
It is to full o’th’? of human ?

Answer 4

Yet I do fear thy nature,
It is to full o’th’milk of human kindness

Question 5

Yet I do fear thy nature,
It is to full o’th’milk of human kindness

What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:

Answer 5

This shows us that Lady M thinks Macbeth may be to kind and compassionate to kill Duncan

Question 6

Lady M key quote:
? me here, and fill me from ? to toe top-full of vilest ?

Answer 6

Unsex me here, and fill me from crown to toe top-full of vilest cruelty

Question 7

Unsex me here, and fill me from crown to toe top-full of vilest cruelty

What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:

Answer 7

Women were seen as kind, quiet and modest
.’Unsex me here’ shows she wants to be freed from these stereotypes- she wants to be cruel enough in order to persuade Macbeth to kill Duncan
.She also uses commanding langue, this shows she is authoritarian and demanding

.The word ‘crown’ has a double meaning
Crown- the top of your head
Crown- because she wants to be queen

.’full of vilest cruelty’- she wants to be filled with cruelty so she can convince Macbeth to kill Duncan

Question 8

Lady M key quote:
Hie thee ? , that I may pour my ? in thine ?

Answer 8

Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear

Question 9

Hie hither hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear

What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:

Answer 9

‘Hie thee hither’ - This quote shows us that Lady M wants Macbeth home so she can convince him to kill Duncan

‘Pour my spirits in thine ear’- She wants to convince Macbeth to kill Duncan
.She wants to influence Macbeth and plant her nefarious ideas in his head
.Pouring liquid in one’s ear can cause an infection- similarly to how Lady M wants to infect Macbeths mind with her corrupted thoughts

Question 10

Lady M key quote:
‘Look like the innocent ? but be the ? undern’t’

Answer 10

‘Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent undern’t’

Question 10

‘Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent undern’t’

What does this quote tell us?
Analyse:

Answer 10

Lady M is telling Macbeth to make it seem like Duncan’s trusted allie- but to secretly plot and carry out the plan to kill him
.Appearance vs reality

‘Look like’- Imperative verbs- shows she is commanding him to do it

‘Innocent flower’ - Flowers are beautiful and linked with innocence
.Macbeth needs to appear innocent

‘Serpent under’t ‘ - Zoomorphism
.Compares him to a serpent
.Religious imagery- Snake in the garden of Eden
.Snakes= Sly and deceptive - What Lady M is trying to turn Macbeth into
Snakes = Rebirth- Macbeth is being reborn as a new crueller more ambition person compared to the start of the play