Chracter Analysis Lady Macbeth Flashcards
What was the role of women like in Jacobean England ?
Wives expected to be obedient and subservient to their husbands
Couldn’t vote, purchase property or attend school
Belonged to their father then husband
Women not allowed on stage so lady Macbeth is played by a young man
How can we analyze Lady Macbeths most notorious line of Act 1 scene 5?
‘ look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under it’
- motif of deception and metaphor of deception
- connotes evil and holds allegorical significance as we see parallels to the Christian story of temptation
- serpent—- Adam and Eve
- subverting the audiance prior expectations for a female character to be passive and subservient
How can we analyze Lady Macbeths denial of her female role in Act 1 scene 5?
‘ unsex me here’ + ‘ come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall’
- conforms to the deceptive fallen women stereotype ( biblical allusion to Eve)
- implies she is ruthless and willing to do anything for power
- subversion of the feminine stereotype
- she wants to purge herself of both kindness and remorse
How can we analyze Lad Macbeths extensive use of supernatural language throughout Act 1 scene 5??
Supernatural imagery ‘spirits’ ‘hell’ heaven’ ‘murdering ministers’
- no longer is a positive and passive female within Macbeth and subverts our expectations for Women
- audiance shocked by her actions to call upon evil spirits
- clear move by Shakespeare to appeal to James I hatred to witches
How can we analyze Lady Macbeths extensive use of metaphors through our Act 1 scene 5 ?
Shows dominance over Macbeth and inverts the conventional and stereotypical gender roles
Audiance somewhat admire her ambition
How can we analyze the stage directions of Act 1 scene 7??
Macbeth questions his own ambition and seems doubtful in the soliloquy
However ‘ Lady Macbeth enters’
This clever use of stage directions by Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as the one in control
How is the motif of deception seen in Act 1 scene 7?
‘False face must hide what the false heart doth know’
- This is actually Macbeth saying this however it appears Macbeth haas been influenced by Lady Macbeth
How can we analyze Lady Macbeth usage of imperatives in Act 1 scene 7?
- imperatives ‘screw your courage to the sticking place’
How can we analyze Lady Macbeths big line in Act 1 scene 7?
‘Was the hope drunk’
Rhetorical imperative questioning his masculinity
- personifies hope and questions his bravery
Also questions his Masculinity in the qoute ‘ when you durst do it then you are a man’
What is the power dynamic like in Act 3 scene 4?
Instead of Lady Macbeth being the voice to his ambitions she has no taken full control
How does she challenge Macbeth in Act 3 scene 4??
‘Are you a man?’
Rhetorical questioning of his very masculinity and gender as-well as his resolve
How can we analyze the banquet of Act 3 scene 4?
She is directing it ‘sit’ speak not’ ‘go at once’
- use of this plethora of imperative language and her commanding those around her subvert the expectations of the audience for a female role
How is Lady Macbeths power amplified in Act 3 scene 4?
It is exacerbated to the audience as she is juxtaposed by Macbeths weakness
What is a qoute showing guilt ?
All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand
What is the famous qoute showing guilt ? How is this parral to something
Out dammed spot, out, I say
Interesting parallel earlier she said ‘ was the hope drunk’
Metaphorical questioning
Repeated imperatives
Trying to force her guilt to leave and it seems as though her resolution has been crushed by her own guilt
