Macbeth : Lady Macbeth

A1S5

“Come you… [..] stop up the..”

“Spirits, unsex me here […] access and passage to remorse.”

Upon hearing news of the prophecy - driving force for greed

Transgression - diversion of stereotypes

Calling upon evil and power

Adopt a masculine presence - no longer feel a conscious

Foreshadows how evil will control her

She worries she must account for Macbeth’s guilt

Motif of clothing = transformation and disguise

A1S7

“And dash’d the brains…”

“Out, had I sworn to you, have done to this.”

A violent description of killing her own baby is used to mock Macbeth’s hesitation

Representative of her violent masculinity

She holds the power in their relationship

Positions her as a catalyst for the actions to come

She is determined to get to the power

A2S2

“Go get some water..”

“And wash this filthy witness from your hand.”

Attempt to wash away sin, hide evidence

Highlights her deceit and sin (lying)

Witness could refer to stopping God seeing their actions

Imperatives: dominance, control and contrast to Macbeth

Foreshadows how the blood will remain on their hands (guilt will haunt them)

A2S3

“Woe alas!…”

“What, in our house?”

Upon the discovery of KD dead body

Contradicts her porevious transgression and adheres to female stereotypes

Adopts traditional feminine values

Showcases her deceit and manipulative nature

Sin engulfs her as she lies for power

A3S2

“‘Tis safer to be that…”

“Which we destroy than by destruction.”

Already affected by guilt

Ironic and reversal of roles from how she saw Macbeth

She is no longer in control

Evil did not protect her as she wished

Saying she would rather be the murdered than the murderer

Claims she’s collapsing under the guilt and destroying herself

Foreshadows eventual fate

A3S4

“Are you..?”

“A man?”

During the banquet where Macbeth sees Banquo

Questioning Macbeth’s masculinity

Not lost her power over him completely

They are both suffering the consequences of their actions

Fearful his deeds may be revealed

Emphasises her transgression as she questions his masculinity

A5S1

“Out, damned spot!..”

“Out, I say — one; two.”

Constant state of guilt

Picturing blood on her hands relating to the filthy witness

Juxtaposition to herself at the start of the play

Short and powerless speech

Inner turmoil

MOTIF of blood and hands = culpability

Red used to show blood and hellfire she will experience when dead

A5S1

“All the perfumes..”

“Of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.”

Juxtaposition to asking for gall previously

She now asks for almost forgivness

Wants sweet perfume rather than bitter gall

The murder has taken over her mental state

References of hand = she accepts culpability whereas Macbeth does not

“She should have..”

“Died hereafter.”

LM kills herself due to the guilt

Consequences for her actions

Macbeths reaction is symbolic of broken relationship

Focusing on himself

Showing corruption of relationship = corruption of Scotland