Gender

• "And take my milk for gall" ↝ [a1s5]

  • Disturbing imagery has connotations of a refusal of any maternal instincts or any maternal traits that would make her vulnerable
  • Shakespeare portrays 2 contrasting ideas between Macbeth & LM. 'Too full...milk of...kindness' / 'Take my milk for gall'' ↝ Juxtaposition.
  • 'Gall' has connotations of bitterness, suggesting she is greedy for power.
  • Symbolises shift in power from Macbeth to LM, which further exposes LM's forceful & power-driven nature, which blurs gender boundaries.
• "Yet do I fear thy nature/It is full o'th'milk of human kindness" ↝ [a1s5]

  • 'Fear' typically associated with evil/supernatural. But LM implies that morality is a frightening, threatening thing
  • 'Nature' alludes to Macbeth's true identity. LM sees Macbeth as a person whose moral compass & compassion are inherent.
  • LM portrays Macbeth's kindness as an unfavourable trait to have. 'Too full' - suggests his nature will be an obstacle to her plans
  • 'Milk' connotes breastfeeding & so associates kindness with femininity. Presents compassion as a weakness, something that emasculates Macbeth
• "Unsex me here" ↝ [a1s5]

  • 'Unsex' conveys androgyny & ambiguity as the traits LM desires (strength & cruelty) are typically associated with masculinity; LM is asking to be rid of the parts that make her a woman.
  • LM seems to associate goodness with humanity ("human kindness") & Shakespeare implies that gender is a sign of humanity ("single state of man"). By being 'unsexed', LM would escape the gender binary all together, & so would be removed from humanity. This would free her from the burdens & weakness of morality & conscience.