Lady Macbeth flashcards (how she is a powerful woman)

“when you durst do it then you were a man”

Technique: Emasculation / Manipulation. Lady Macbeth uses psychological warfare to link Macbeth's masculinity to his willingness to commit murder.

"Durst" (Dared): Connotes transgressive action; she suggests being a man requires "daring" to break moral laws.

"Man": Redefines masculinity as ruthlessness rather than honour.

Intention: Shakespeare explores toxic masculinity and how the subversion of gender roles (a wife commanding her husband) signals a breakdown in the Great Chain of Being.

(1,7)

“I would while it was smiling at my face…and dash’d the brains out had I so sworn to you”

uses stark and forceful words to assert her will and manipulate those around her.

Assertive Language, Rhetorical Questions, Imperatives

Her direct and unflinching vocabulary reveals a determination to achieve her ambitions.

She uses sharp, decisive words that cut through hesitation and doubt.

uses Lady Macbeth's language to portray a complex character -challenges traditional gender roles, explores the corrupting influence of ambition.

“Go get some water, and wash this filthy witness from your hand”

Imperatives & Metaphor. Lady Macbeth treats the murder as a "mess" to be cleaned rather than a soul-staining sin.

"Filthy": Connotes physical and moral contamination.

"Witness": Personifies the blood as evidence that can "testify" to their guilt.

Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to show her initial cold pragmatism, which later collapses into madness and guilt. 

(2,2)

“tis given with welcome."

Social Irony. Lady Macbeth lectures Macbeth on hospitality to hide his visible guilt and paranoia.

"Given": Connotes the ceremonial duty of a King.

"Welcome": Connotes safety, which is ironic given the Macbeths have murdered their guests.

Intention: Shakespeare uses the banquet to show that guilt has made Macbeth unfit for society and the throne.

(3,4)

“black and midnight hags”

LM isn’t in Act 4 but influences him

LM teaches M that manhood = dominance over fear.

Result: M adopts her imperative style. He calls them "hags" to assert his "manly" authority over them.

"Midnight": Refers to the darkness LM invited into their lives

"Secret": Reflects the "false face" LM forced Macbeth to wear.

LM’s psychological "unsexing" of her husband leads to his total moral isolation and eventual ruin.

“unsex me here”

Imperative / Invocation. She commands the supernatural to remove her feminine "weakness" (empathy).

"Unsex": Connotes a violent rejection of nature and gender roles.

"Here": Connotes urgency; the castle is now a place of evil.

Intention: Shakespeare uses this to show that ambition leads to moral and spiritual suicide.

“take my milk for gall”

Antithesis.(contrasting ideas to emphasise) She trades the symbol of life ("milk") for the symbol of bitterness and poison ("gall").

"Milk": Connotes nurturing and innocence.

"Gall": Connotes venom and malice.

Shakespeare uses this to present Lady Macbeth as a "monstrous" figure who has replaced her conscience with "direst cruelty."