Lady Macbeth's quotes

• “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here” – Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 5)


  • Lady Macbeth calls on supernatural forces to strip away her femininity and make her ruthless enough to commit murder. She views traditional female qualities (such as compassion) as weaknesses and asks to be "unsexed," showing her determination to help Macbeth seize the crown. This quote highlights her ambition and rejection of gender norms, as well as her willingness to embrace evil to achieve her goals.
• “Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under't” – Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 5)


  Here, Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to deceive others by appearing innocent, while secretly harboring murderous intentions. The "innocent flower" symbolizes the outward appearance of goodness, while the "serpent" represents the evil hidden underneath. This line encapsulates one of the play's central themes: the contrast between appearance and reality. Lady Macbeth is urging her husband to master this deception.
• “When you durst do it, then you were a man” – Lady Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 7)


  Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth's manhood, manipulating him into committing the murder by attacking his pride.