Lady Macbeth

• description

  • manipulative
  • dominant
  • seemingly powerful
  • controlling
  • eventually ridden with guilt
• Lady Macbeth's soliliquy - Act 1, Scene 5
• " Make thick my blood "
• " Make thick my blood "

  • doesn't want to feel guilt
  • unnatural act
  • blood is motif of guilt
  • demanding and desperate
• " Pall thee in the dunest smoke of hell "
• " Pall thee in the dunest smoke of hell "

  • knows actions are wicked / immoral
  • she wants to be hidden from God to protect her chances of getting into heaven
  • important belief at the time
• " Unsex me here " / " Take my milk for gall "
• " Unsex me here " / " Take my milk for gall "

  • feels restricted by her femininity
  • wants to be able to commit evil acts without emotion getting in the way
  • very commanding
  • wants innocence and purity to be replaced with cruelty
• unconventional relation ship - " My dearest partner in greatness "
• unconventional relation ship - " My dearest partner in greatness "

  • loving and caring
  • see each other as equals
  • subverts the patriarchal norms in Jackobean society
• " When you durst do it then you are a man "
• " When you durst do it then you are a man "

  • Lady Macbeth is the controlling partner in the relationship and manipulates
  • emasculates Macbeth into doing her dirty work
  • needs Macbeth in a position of power so she can gain power in society
• " Go wash this filthy witness of your hands "
• " Go wash this filthy witness of your hands "

  • Naive
  • thinks guilt can be so easily washed away
  • suggests blood is on his hands and not hers at all so she has no blame attached to her
  • she is commanding and in control
  • seemingly the unaffected and powerful partner
• " The fit is momentary , my lord is often thus "
• " The fit is momentary , my lord is often thus "

  • assertive
  • remind them of his status in society
  • trying to regain control of the situation
  • must be the powerful partner when Macbeth can not be
  • she knows that she needs Macbeth to stay in power so that she can keep her position in society
• [the table is full]

  • Banquo's ghost is sat in his chair
  • symbolises his corrupt kingship
  • there is no room in Scotland for those who usurp power
• Act 5 , Scene 1 - Macbeth drowning in guilt
• " Out damned spot , out i say "
• " Out damned spot , out i say "

  • commanding
  • trying to grasp at control
  • guilt has all consumed her
  • she's cursed
  • futile as no one is listening
• " This disease is beyond my practise "
• " This disease is beyond my practise "

  • said by doctor
  • Lady Macbeth's disease is unnatural and incurable
  • warning that if you commit these acts then your life is damned and there is no turning back