Lady Macbeth Flashcards (Quotes & Analysis)

Flashcards of Lady Macbeth quotes and their analysis.

Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.

Lady Macbeth calls on dark forces to strip her of femininity and fill her with cruelty - shows ambition and rejection of gender norms. (Act 1, Scene 5)

Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't.

She advises Macbeth to be deceitful - appear innocent while hiding evil. Biblical allusion to the Garden of Eden. (Act 1, Scene 5)

Leave all the rest to me.

Shows confidence and dominance - she takes full control of Duncan's murder plan. (Act 1, Scene 5)

Was the hope drunk / Wherein you dress'd yourself?

Mocks Macbeth's hesitation - sarcastically questions his ambition and courage. (Act 1, Scene 7)

When you durst do it, then you were a man.

She links masculinity to violence and manipulation, shaming Macbeth into action. (Act 1, Scene 7)

I would… have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums / And dashed the brains out.

Disturbing image - she would kill her child to keep a promise. Shows unnatural commitment and emotional detachment. (Act 1, Scene 7)

A little water clears us of this deed.

She believes guilt can be washed away easily - ironic because she later breaks down from guilt. (Act 2, Scene 2)

These deeds must not be thought / After these ways; so, it will make us mad.

She tries to suppress guilt and warns against overthinking - ironic foreshadowing of her own madness. (Act 2, Scene 2)

Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers.

She criticises Macbeth and takes charge - shows her authority and practicality. (Act 2, Scene 2)

Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done't.

Reveals a moment of human weakness - shows that even she feels emotion and hesitation. (Act 2, Scene 2)

Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus.

She tries to calm the guests and protect Macbeth - shows her social control and public composure. (Act 3, Scene 4)

Are you a man?

She mocks Macbeth's fear and tries to take control - repeats manipulation from earlier scenes. (Act 3, Scene 4)

You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting / With most admired disorder.

She is angry Macbeth ruined their royal image - cares about appearances and control. (Act 3, Scene 4)

Out, damned spot! Out, I say!

Symbol of guilt. She is haunted by blood on her hands - repetition shows obsession and mental collapse. (Act 5, Scene 1)

What, will these hands ne'er be clean?

Realises her guilt is permanent. She can't remove the blood (guilt) from her conscience. (Act 5, Scene 1)

The Thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?

She refers to Lady Macduff - shows she is haunted by all the murders committed. (Act 5, Scene 1)

More needs she the divine than the physician.

The doctor suggests Lady Macbeth needs spiritual help - shows the depth of her psychological breakdown. (Act 5, Scene 1)