Lady Macbeth Flashcards
“T d m n b t” Guilt, Repression, Consequences
“These deeds must not be thought”
Lady Macbeth insists on avoiding the memory of their murderous acts, implying that dwelling on their crimes will lead to madness. This imperative reflects her practicality and foreshadows the psychological toll such deeds will take.
“Y h a s… O, d s! o, I s” Guilt, Madness, Desperation
“Yet here’s a spot…Out, damned spot! out, I say!”
- Repition of “out” desperation
Her delusional attempts to clean an imaginary bloodstain symbolize her overwhelming guilt and futile attempts to erase the memory of her crime, revealing the deep psychological impact of her guilt.
“I w, w i w s i m f” Ruthlessness, Ambition, Maternal Instinct
“I would, while it was smiling in my face”
- Imagery
This horrific image demonstrates Lady Macbeth’s ruthless determination and the extent to which she will go to fulfill her ambitions.
“M h a o y c, b I s/ T w a h s w” Guilt, Bravery, Cowardice
“My hands are of your colour, but I shame/To wear a heart so white.”
-Metaphor
While sharing in the bloody deed, Lady Macbeth chides her husband for his fear, using ‘white’ to symbolize cowardice and contrasting it with her own steely heart, reinforcing themes of bravery and guilt.
“C,t n” Guilt, Secrecy, Darkness
“Come, thick night”
Invoking night as a cloak to hide her deed from heaven and herself, Lady Macbeth wishes for darkness to cover her murderous act, blending imagery of hell and concealment. This metaphor highlights her awareness of the moral darkness of her intentions.
“A l w c u o t d” Naivety, Guilt, Cleansing
“A little water clears us of this deed”
- Irony, metaphor
Initially dismissing the gravity of their crime, Lady Macbeth suggests that a simple action can absolve them, displaying a pragmatic yet naive understanding of guilt and consequence. Reflects her belief that washing away physical evidence of their crime will absolve them of guilt.
” L l t i f, b b t s u” Deception, Ambition, Appearance vs. Reality
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”
Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to disguise his malicious intentions b ehind a tacade of innocence. This metaphor of a serpent hiding beneath a flower epitomizes deceit and the strategic manipulation required to achieve power. It exposes a theme central to the play: the discrepancy between appearance and reality.
“M p o g” Ambition, Partnership, Complicity
“My partner of greatness”
Referring to Macbeth, Lady Macbeth acknowledges their shared ambition and complicity. The term i partner’ denotes equality and mutual support in their ascent to power, illustrating the deep complicity and shared ambitions in their relationship.
“I m p m s i t e” Influence, Manipulation, Determination
“I may pour my spirits in thine ear”
This metaphor suggests Lady Macbeth’s intention to instigate Macbeth with her own determined spirit, figuratively ‘pouring’ her resolve into him. It highlights her influential role and her strategic manipulation of Macbeth’s will.
“A t p o A w n s t l h” Guilt, Redemption, Conscience
“All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand”
Hyperbole emphasizes the extent of Lady Macbeth’s guilt, feeling that not even the abundant riches of Arabia could cleanse her blood-stained conscience, signifying the indelible nature of guilt.
