Lady M - key quotes Flashcards
Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t
- Act 1, Scene 5
Themes: Deceipt, deception, betrayal, manipulation. Appearance v Reality
In this line she advises Macbeth on how to deceive others.
She is urging Macbeth to appear friendly and harmless, but to be ready to strike underneath that disguise. Lady Macbeth instructs her husband how to lie and hide the truth.
Here Shakespeare uses a simile, “look like the innocent flower”, comparing Macbeth to something beautiful and pure, This is a way of hiding his dark intentions.
The metaphor of a ‘serpent under’t’ reinforces a theme of deception; the serpent has biblical associations with betrayal and evil, reminding us of the devil in the Garden of Eden.
This Line also shows Lady Macbeth’s manipulative power early on. She’s teaching Macbeth how to hide his true intentions, pushing him further into treachery.
Macbeth becomes secretive once the witches’ prophecies start to come true.
Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’the milk of human kindness.
Act 5, scene 1
Belief Macbeth is weak
When lady Macbeth reads Macbeth’s letter about the witches’ prophecy, she worries he’s too gentle to seize the throne by force. She is afraid that Macbeth’s “nature” is too soft for the ruthless act of murder.
Milk is a symbol of nourishment and care, suggesting she views compassion as a weakness in this scenario.
This quote shows how Lady Macbeth sees kindness as an obstacle to ambition.
What’s done cannot be undone.
Act 5, scene 1
Themes: Guilt and conscience
During her sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth repeats this line, showing her despair. She’s consumed by guilt and realises that no amount of regret can revers their actions.
The finality this line emphasises her acceptance of the irreversible consequences of their deeds.
Earlier in the play, she urges Macbeth not to think too deeply about the murder, saying “ things without all remedy should be without regard.” But now, she’s haunted by their deeds, unable to escape the past.
This line captures the key theme; guilt and consequence. Lady Macbeth understands too late that some actions leave scars that cannot be erased.
It is a tragic moment, showing her mental collapse and recognition of the inescapable weight of their crimes.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say! - Hell is murky!
Act 5, Scene 1
Guilt, blood = guilty conscience
She’s trying to wash imaginary blood off her hands, showing how guilty she feels about the murders.
Shakespeare uses repetition, Lady Macbeth keeps saying ‘Out,” which shows her desperation to get rid of the blood, and really, her guilt . She feels like the guilt is stuck on her forever, just like the blood.
She is using imperative verbs ‘Out” and “I say,”. Imperatives are commands and these verbs suggest Lady Macbeth is trying to take control, but this time it’s useless.
At the beginning of the play when she says things like ‘unsex me,” she is powerful, but here, she’s losing control.
The “spot” is a symbol of the blood and guilt she can’t escape, not matter how much she tries.
But screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail.
Act 1, scene 7
Themes: Manipulation, ambition
Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth to be brave and go ahead with killing Duncan. Here Shakespeare uses a metaphor, telling Macbeth to “screw his courage to the sticking-place.” She is telling him he needs to make his courage strong and fixed, like turning a screw so it stays tight and doesn’t move.
The word “screw” is also an imperative. Lady Macbeth is giving Macbeth an order, pushing him to do what she wants. She’s using this to motivate him, making him think if he doesn’t go through with the murder, it’s because he’s not brave enough. She’s twisting courage to suit her own ambitions, ignoring the fact that what they are doing is morally wrong.
Manipulation
Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into continuing with the murder by mocking and belittling him, using emotional blackmail, challenging his decisions through questions and giving him orders.
Macbeth is easily manipulated by Lady Macbeth because he is full of traditional ideas about masculinity and power. he feels the need to prove that he isn’t a coward.
