Lady Macbeth

guilt

out damned spot

1. "Out, damned spot! Out, I say!"

   This quote shows Lady Macbeth's growing guilt as she imagines blood on her hands that she cannot wash away.

   The repetition of "Out" emphasizes her desperation to rid herself of the reminders of her crimes.

   It reveals that even though she once pushed Macbeth to act, the weight of guilt now haunts her mind

guilt

hint here the smell

"Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."

Lady Macbeth recognizes that no matter how much she tries to cleanse herself, the guilt remains permanent.

The mention of "all the perfumes of Arabia" symbolizes the extreme efforts she makes to cover up her remorse.

This quote underlines her realization that her actions have left an indelible mark, showing that guilt is inescapable.

fate

hint come

"unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe topful Of direst cruelty!"

Metaphor: "Unsex me here" is a metaphor for removing her feminine qualities and becoming more ruthless, implying she believes her fate depends on being less "womanly" and more violent.

Alliteration: "Topful of direst cruelty" uses the repetition of the "t" sound to emphasize her desire for overwhelming cruelty, aligning her with a darker fate.

fate

hint whats

"What’s done is done."

Repetition: The repetition of "done" emphasizes the finality of the actions they've taken. It suggests that no matter what, the consequences of their choices (including their fate) cannot be undone.

Alliteration: The "d" sound in "done is done" creates a rhythmic, almost resigned tone, reinforcing the idea that fate is inevitable and cannot be changed.

ambition

the raven himself

"The raven himself is hoarse, That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements."

Metaphor: The "raven" represents death and destruction. Ravens are traditionally associated with omens and death, symbolizing Lady Macbeth's ambition to bring about Duncan's death.

Personification: The raven is given human-like qualities, "hoarse," suggesting that death itself is calling out for Duncan's arrival.

Alliteration: The repetition of the "b" sound in "battlements" and "croaks" creates a harsh, foreboding tone, emphasizing the dark, violent nature of her ambition

influence of power

hint come you spirits

"Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe topful of direst cruelty!"

Imagery: The phrase "fill me from the crown to the toe" creates a vivid image of her wanting to be completely consumed by cruelty.

Hyperbole: "Topful of direst cruelty" exaggerates her desire to be completely immersed in evil and power, suggesting she wants to be fully empowered by darkness.

Alliteration: "Crown to the toe" uses the repetition of the "t" sound to emphasize her need to be filled completely and powerfully

influence of power

look like the

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

Metaphor: "Innocent flower" and "serpent under't" are metaphors representing deception. Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to appear harmless (like a flower) while secretly being dangerous (like a serpent).

Juxtaposition: The contrast between the "innocent flower" and the "serpent" highlights the idea of duality and deception—showing the difference between appearance and reality.

Imperative: "Look" and "be" are commands, reflecting Lady Macbeth's authoritative and persuasive influence over Macbeth, encouraging him to conceal his true intentions.

violence

hint have pluck’d my

Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, And dashed the brains out"

Hyperbole: The extreme imagery of "dashing the brains out" is an exaggeration used to show Lady Macbeth’s ruthless desire for power and her willingness to do anything, even violent acts, to achieve her goals.

Imagery: The vivid image of "plucking my nipple from his boneless gums" creates a disturbing picture of violence, reinforcing her cold-heartedness.

violence

hint hell is murky

"Hell is murky! Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?"

Imagery: "Damned spot" conjures the image of blood, symbolizing the violence she has orchestrated. The stain is metaphorical for her guilt, showing how violence is embedded in her psyche.

Rhetorical Question: "What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?" This question illustrates Lady Macbeth’s earlier belief in her invincibility and power, which is now undermined by her guilt and madness, highlighting the connection between her violent actions and her unravelling mental state.

supernatural

hint come to my woman

"Come to my woman's breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murderous ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature's mischief!

Imagery: The graphic image of "milk for gall" contrasts the nurturing, feminine image of motherhood with the evil, poisonous qualities Lady Macbeth desires. It symbolizes her desire to be filled with cruelty and to abandon any softness associated with femininity.

Alliteration: The repetition of the "m" sound in "murderous ministers" emphasizes the sinister tone of her plea and adds a rhythmic intensity to her words.

Metaphor: "Take my milk for gall" is a metaphor for replacing maternal compassion and nurturing qualities with bitterness and poison, highlighting her desire to sever ties with her feminine identity and embrace ruthlessness.

"Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, To cry 'Hold, hold!'‘

Imagery: "The blanket of the dark" creates a visual of night as a thick, oppressive cover that hides evil actions. It emphasizes Lady Macbeth’s desire to conceal her wickedness and keep divine intervention out of her plans.

Personification: The phrase "heaven peep" personifies heaven as a conscious being capable of peeking through the darkness to stop her.

Metaphor: "Blanket of the dark" is a metaphor for the cover of night, symbolizing the concealment of evil deeds and the moral darkness.