The Relationship of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Question 1

In the beginning, how is their marriage portrayed?

Answer 1

• both ambitious
• Lady Macbeth holds the upper hand, as she is determined and ruthless
• Macbeth is weak and emasculated, acting as her puppet, to get what she wants

Question 2

At the end of the play, how is their relationship portrayed?

Answer 2

• they are both broken, BUT
• Macbeth holds the upper hand, hiding things from her
• Lady Macbeth is a fearful woman, broken

Question 3

How does their speech patterns change?

Answer 3

• at the beginning, Lady Macbeth speaks the most
• at the end, Lady Macbeth speaks in monosyllabic lines, whereas Macbeth gives length soliloquies about the futility of life

Question 4

How does Lady Macbeth address her husband throughout the play?

Answer 4

“How now, my lord” and never “My Husband”

Question 5

How does Macbeth address LM throughout the play?

Answer 5

• “dearest partner of greatness”
• “dearest chuck”

Question 6

How do both of them feel after killing Duncan? How does Macbeth show this?

Answer 6

• it isn’t enough and is all for nothing
• MB says “we have scorch’d the snake, not kill’d it_

Question 7

What does Lady Macbeth tell her husband to do after he says that he will pretend all is well? What is she referring to?

Answer 7

• “You must leave this”

referring to Duncan’s death

Question 8

What dies he tell LM about his mind?

Answer 8

“o, full of scorpions is my mind”

Question 9

After Macbeth killed Duncan, what does he ask about the blood on his hands?

Answer 9

“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”

Question 10

What does LM say to MB after he kills Duncan and shows fear?

Answer 10

“My hands are of your colour, but I shame / To wear a heart so white”