LADY MACBETH

English literature gcse

Complete the quote- “I shame to wear…

a heart so white”

What does the quote “I shame to wear a hear so white” show what lady Macbeth is doing.

Shows that she is rejecting to feel guilt and expressing her ambition.

Why is the word “White’ ironic

because it represents innocence and purity, contrasting with her ruthless ambition and guilt. She is also using the word to show she is rejecting stereotypical female qualities and societal expectations.

Why does Shakespeare suggest Lady M is punished for using this quote?

Suggests she will be punished for trying to reject guilt and not following her subservient role in the patriarchal Jacobean society.

complete the quote” Come thou spirits…

unsex me here”

What is lady Macbeth doing here ?

Invoking supernatural forces to aid her with her violence. This shows her willingness to consult with dark forces to achieve her ambitions.

What does this aline her with and why and what does it do?

It alines her with the supernatural as she as the ability to call upon spirits. This would make the Jacobean audience fearful of her power and the consequences of defying gender norms.

What is the word “come” and what does it show?

“come” is an imperative and show Lady Macbeths first insight to her megalomaniacal nature.

Why is “unsex me here” significant ?

“unsex me here” is significant because in the Jacobean society woman were expected to embody certain virtues such ad kindness and respectability.

Complete the quote- “Out …

damned spot”

What is the “spot” a metaphor for?

“spot’ is a metaphor for the murders and regicide she has encourages and allowed to happen.

What does Lady Macbeth believing the spot is “damned” show?

The idea that. Lady Macbeth believes the spot is “damned” presents her guilt at the end of the play is due to her christianity which many people believed in the moral implications of their actions. She interprets her complicit role in the murders as a sin that will haunt her.

Why does Shakespeare present the negative things like hallucinations happen to Lady Macbeth.?

• because she broke natural law by killing a King who was believed to be given his place by God

• and because she allowed the murder of someone she was hosting so subsequently the punishment will happen as she went against xenia.

Complete the quote- “Look like the flower…

But be the serpent underneath”

What is Lady Macbeth encouraging Macbeth to do?

She is encouraging Macbeth to appear Kind ad innocent, symbolised by the ”flower”, but act cunning and ruthless beneath the surface, symbolised by the snake.

What allusion is used in the quote and what does it say about Lady M?

Biblical allusion of the “snake” referring to satan , reveals that Lady Macbeth wants Macbeth to abandon all morals to gain power.

What does this show about Lady Macbeth early in the play?

Show that she takes a dominant role in the relationship in order to control Macbeth.