Lady Macbeth Quotes

Question 1

It is too full of the milk of human kindness

Answer 1

Macbeth (relationship), femininity/masculinity, strong female character (power), ambition

• ‘human kindness’ implies kindness is exclusive to humans, meaning that it can’t be disputed or differently interpreted
• Lady Macbeth wants to rid herself of this kindness as she ‘fears’ it, and wants to take him with her
• ‘milk’ may connote with breastfeeding and so associates ‘human kindess’ as femininity
• this presents compassion as a weakness, emasculating macbeth

Question 2

‘I may pour my spirits in thine ear’

Answer 2

Power, control

Persuade and manipulate Macbeth
Active and domineering

Question 3

Take my milk for gall

Answer 3

• poison - dark imagery
• milk connotes with nurture and femininity
• she wants to get rid of vulnerability

Question 4

Unsex me here

Answer 4

Imperatives

She wants to adopt more masculine traits, ambitious,

Question 5

Full of direst cruelty

Answer 5

• wants no empathy and remove vulnerability

- opposite of typical women of that time

Question 6

Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent underneath

Answer 6

Appearance vs reality

Question 7

In every point twice done and then done double

Answer 7

Plosive, riddle like
May imply that there are secrets below the surface
Ironic

Question 8

A little water clears us of this deed

Answer 8

Guilt
Links to ‘Out damned spot! Out I say!’
Exclamative, desperate, has left her conscience catch up with her

Question 9

O proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear

Answer 9

She is dismissive and tells him that he is making stuff up
‘Your’ fear - they don’t share the same fear
Painting relates to appearance and her reputation

Question 10

Sit, worthy friends

Answer 10

Imperatives - not passive like typical woman in the Jacobean era
‘Friends’ is manipulative and almost a euphemism
Lady Macbeth is keeping calm and strong because she is concerned about reputation and appearance

Question 11

‘You have displayed the mirth’

Answer 11

Appearance is starting to break down

She cannot hold power or control

Question 12

There’s a knocking at the gate

Answer 12

Relating to the gates of heaven and hell

Question 13

What’s done can it be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed

Answer 13

Repetition, insanity
Frantic
Opposite of a little water can clear us