Lady Macbeth quotes

Come, you spirits… Unsex me here

Act 1 - Supernatural - Shows her invocation of dark forces and rejection of femininity.

Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t

Act 1 - Appearance vs reality - Reveals her strategy of deception and manipulation, urging Macbeth to hide his true intentions.

A little water clears us of this deed

Act 2 - Appearance vs reality - Highlights her initial confidence in dismissing guilt - dramatic irony that is later contrasted.

Out, damned spot! Out, I say.

Act 5 - Guilt and conscience - Marks her psychological downfall as she is haunted by unrelenting guilt.

All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand

Act 5 - guilt and conscience - Illustrates the depth of her torment, contrasting her earlier pragmatism - links to Macbeth’s “great Neptune’s oceans” quote.