Lady Macbeth

Question 1

All Lady Macbeth Quotes

Answer 1

• “You lack the season of all natures,sleep” (Act 3 - Violence)
• “Come,you spirits” “unsex” me here (Act 1 - Supernatural)
• “Look like th’innocent flower,but be the serpent under’t” (Act 2 - Appearance vs Reality)
• Lady Macbeth [enters with a taper] (Act 5 - Guilt)
• “Too full o’th’milk of human kindness” (Act 1 - Gender)

Question 2

“You lack the season of all natures,sleep” (Act 3 - Violence)

Answer 2

• Antithesis to her previous violent depiction;it seems she is now trying to moderate and quell his evil
• “sleep” is a motif for peace and innocence and is trying to dispel the murderous chaos as she realises the role as queen was not what she expected

Question 3

“Come,you spirits” “unsex” me here (Act 1 - Supernatural)

Answer 3

• Almost casting a spell “spirits” and “night” allude to a dark supernatural force
• Wants to rid her femininity to ecompass inhumane and witchlike role to grant her power
• Her androgynous (male and female) role would be seen as supernatural as gender roles were rigid

Question 4

“Look like th’innocent flower,but be the serpent under’t” (Act 2 - Appearance vs Reality)

Answer 4

• Bibilical allusion of “serpent” seen in the fall of mankind in Genesis where the serpent tempts Adam and Eve
• Effective deception can be used with an “innocent” facade

Question 5

Lady Macbeth [enters with a taper] (Act 5 - Guilt)

Answer 5

• [taper] provides light, emblematic of how Lady Macbeth is seeking light,solace and hope in her eternal mental darkness
• Jesus was seen as the ‘light’ of the world,providing salvation for mankind. Illumates she is hopeful for salvation and retribution of her sins

Question 6

“Too full o’th’milk of human kindness” (Act 1 - Gender)

Answer 6

• “Noun” milk is a symbol for femininity and maternal nuturing, Lady M rejects notions of femininity
• Replace milk with evil