Macbeth: Lady Macbeth Contrast Flashcards
How does M feel before the murder of Duncan?
M: After being convinced by LM to do the deed, M becomes weary, nervous and already feels guilty as seen in Act 2 scene 1 when he hallucinates/envisions a bloody dagger
(“Is this dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?”)
How does LM feel before the murder of Duncan?
She seems to be ambitious and eager to murder Duncan as she manipulates M into murdering him. She is cold and uncompassionate, treating King Duncan as a hurdle in the road to her crown.
Manipulates M:
“From this time, such I account thy love”
Lady Macbeth, outraged, calls him a coward and questions his manhood: “When you durst do it,” she says, “then you were a man”
What is the quote Lady Macbeth uses to elucidate the limits she is willing to push in order to keep her promises?
‘I have given suck, and know
How tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me:
I would, while it was smiling in my face,
Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums,
And dash’d the brains out, had I so sworn as you
Have done to this’ (Lady Macbeth)
How does Macbeth act after the murder of Duncan?
Following the murder of Duncan, Macbeth becomes increasingly unstable. His guilt about killing a friend and paranoia deeply affect him.
he is distraught and regrets the murder he has committed.
Macbeth feels so guilty for the act that his mind projects voices that condemn him.
“Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep”
How does Lady Macbeth act after the murder of Duncan?
Lady Macbeth is satisfied that Duncan was killed. She does not feel sorry for his death. She thinks that Macbeth is a coward and she went back and wiped the daggers on the clothes of the guards.
Her strength of will completely eclipses her husband.
Lady Macbeth remains composed and resolute.
Quotes:
More resolved- That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold.
“infirm of purpose.” She is essentially saying that he is a coward.
How has Macbeth convinced himself that he is incapable of killing Duncan? Use quotes
Macbeth is Duncan’s kinsman, subject, and host.
The king is universally admired as a virtuous ruler. Macbeth notes that these circumstances offer him nothing that he can use to motivate himself.
Quotes:
‘He’s here in double trust;
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself’ (Macbeth)
He has no spur to kill Duncan other than his ambition:
‘I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself
And falls on the other.’ (Macbeth)
Once Duncan’s body has been discovered, how does Macbeth act?
There is a radical transformation in Macbeth’s behaviour.
Macbeth’s ambition guides him to calm himself and leaps into action.
Macbeth declares that in his rage he has killed the chamberlains.
“O, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them”
His fury at Duncan’s death was so powerful that he could not restrain himself.
Macbeth speaks deeply ironically here; he confesses his love for Duncan and that life will be insufferable without him from this moment onwards.
“Had I but died an hour before this chance,
I had lived a blessèd time”
Once Duncan’s body has been discovered, how does Lady Macbeth act?
When the King’s body is discovered by Macduff, Lady Macbeth insists that it cannot be true and then swoons (faints).
Why does Lady Macbeth doubt Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth instantly doubts her husband’s ability to kill the king, as she believes that Macbeth is “too full o’th’ milk of human kindness.” This illustrates that Lady Macbeth thinks that her husband is too kind and sympathetic – however, this is simply a natural part of human nature.
she accuses him of cowardice, questions his manhood, and even tells him that if she had promised to carry out such an act, nothing could stop her from accomplishing it.
“When you durst do it, then you were a man”
How are M and LM similar? But how do they differ in this way?
LM and M are both ambitious, but LM is more persistent and M is more impulsive.
Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are deeply invested in each other.
What does Macbeth address Lady Macbeth as first? How is this phrase significant?
He addresses his wife as “my dearest partner of greatness,” indicating that this marriage is indeed a partnership; decisions are made together.
This phrase is significant because it reveals Macbeth’s affection for his wife and the fact that he views her as his trusted partner.
