changing relationship of mb and lmb Flashcards
1.5 upon reading letter, LMBs says “shalt be what thou art promised”
-MB appears dependent on LMB
-after learning prophecies, MB sends her a letter describing them
-“shalt” shows her certainty + her to be an opportunist
-LMB also says MB is “too full o’ the milk of human kindness” to “catch the nearest way” - has 2 connotations:
-she knows her husband well - intimate
relationship
-she must “pour her spirits” in his “ear” - MB is
easily persuaded
-could be foreshadowing the fact that this persecution leads to MB’s downfall + LMB is in fact poisoning him + his future
1.3 “If chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me, without my stir”
-LMB endeavours to persuade MB to commit murder after leaving it to fate
-LMB attacks his masculinity when saying “when you durst do it, then you were a man” - she isn’t afraid to insult him - perhaps a fracture in relationship
-uses her words like weapons + MB cannot speak or put his view forward
-shows their relationship is unbalance + LMB is the dominant one
-LMB uses image of vulnerable baby to try + persuade MB - perhaps reference to child they once had
-eventually MB gives in + agrees to kill D
2.2 “wash this filthy witness from your hand” “Get on your nightgown”
-both LMB + MB appear to make a good team on the night of the murder
-however, MB seems to need a lot of guidance + reassurance from LMB as she has to tell him to “wash” his “hand” + put on his “nightgown”
-this reinforces the idea that LMB is the dominant one
-she also encourages him to not feel guilt, a natural human emotion, as she says “a foolish thought, to say a sorry sight” - relationship appears akin to a mother + child
3.2 “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck”
-despite evident dominance of LMB in the first half of the play, MB becomes increasingly independent + doesn’t appear to need her guidance
-their relationship appears to fracture slightly as he doesn’t tell of the plans to kill BQ + F
-this presents their relationship as one in which they’re drifting apart
-LMB calls him “my lord” or “king” - lack of use of endearing terms could indicate she is growing apart from him
-in contrast, MB calls her “dearest chuck” - suggests he feels he needs to protect her - shows change in dominant one in the relationship
3.4 “Are you a man?”
-becomes clear their relationship is wholly fractured during + after banquet
-during scene, LMB attempts to cover up MB’s behaviour + challenges him
-however, forced to ask guests to leave as she can no longer control MB
-evident at this point their relationship has been ruined by MB’s evil acts, yet this is also partly LMB’s fault due to her persuasion
-MB no longer hears here at the end of the banquet when she tells him he needs to “sleep” - he goes on to talk about how he is “in blood” + it would be just as “tedious” to go back, as if he continued
-shows key change in MB - making his own choices - unstable relationship as they’re no longer dependent on each other
5.5 “She should of died hereafter”
-final scenes - appears MB has lost all affection for LMB
-banquet scene - last time we see them together
-during somnambulism scene, LMB wonders “where” the Thane of Fife’s wife is - reference to murder she had no part in - shows MB no longer needs her
-upon learning of her death, MB says “she should of died hereafter” - somewhat ambiguous
-could of wished she died later when they would
of been time “for such a word” - time to mourn -
relationship isn’t entirely devoid of affection
-however, could show MB had plans to murder
her - she could discharge secrets - relationship
with no love + highlights MB’s evil
