Lady Macbeth

• Explode the quote, "Look like the innocent flower But be the serpent under it."

  ¬direct reference to the book of Genesis- Adam & Eve

  ¬misogynistic interpretation of the Bible

  ¬shows that women are more evil than men, returning back to the idea of "original sin" where Eve disobeyed God as she was manipulated by a snake (the supernatural)

  ¬urges Macbeth to appear harmless and gentle while harbouring a treacherous, deceitful nature, a strategy she believes is necessary to achieve their ambition. 

  ¬suggests that Macbeth should project an image of innocence and gentleness, appearing as a harmless and virtuous person. 

  ¬pivotal moment in the play, as it sets the stage for the tragic events that follow. It reveals Lady Macbeth's manipulative and ruthless nature, and it foreshadows the darkness that will consume Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
• Explode the quote, "I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums And dash'd the brains out had I so sworn as you have done to this."

  ¬intentionally horrific- has rejected the patriarchy

  ¬consonance "B" and "D" - shows aggressive imagery and demonstrates how aggressive Macbeth must become to achieve the ambition.

  ¬expresses a chillingly ruthless and unfeeling determination, suggesting she would commit a heinous act, even against her own child, to fulfill a promise or ambition. 

  ¬establishes a stark contrast between the image of a child's innocent smile and the violent act that follows. 

  ¬"Plucked" suggests a swift, brutal action, while "boneless gums" refers to the soft, vulnerable nature of a baby's mouth. 

  ¬showcases Lady Macbeth's cold-blooded ambition and her willingness to sacrifice everything, including her own maternal instincts, for power. 
• Explode the quote, "Come, you spirits that tend on moral thoughts, un-sex me here And fill me fro the crown to the toe top-full of your direst cruelty"

  ¬she calls upon supernatural forces to strip her of her feminine qualities and imbue her with ruthless ambition to execute the murder of King Duncan. 

  ¬reveals Lady Macbeth's ambition, her willingness to embrace darkness and cruelty, and her strong influence over Macbeth's actions. It also highlights the theme of gender roles and the societal expectations of femininity, which Lady Macbeth rejects. 

  ¬"unsex" conveys androgyny and ambiguity

  ¬she asks for this so she has the capability and manliness to kill Duncan
• Explode the quote, "pour my spirits in thine ear"

  ¬powerful metaphor used by Lady Macbeth to express her desire to dominate Macbeth and influence his actions

  ¬supernatural imagery emphasises LM's desire to instill Macbeth with her own ambition.

  ¬reveals Lady Macbeth's manipulative nature and her desire to control Macbeth, pushing him toward the dark path of violence and ambition.

  ¬evokes demonic possession
• Explode the quote, "Are you a man?"

  ¬brings surprise to a Jacobean audience as they wouldn't expect manliness to be questioned by the wives which further emphasises the strange nature of LM.

  ¬challenges her husband's perceived weakness and lack of courage in the face of the ghost of Banquo

  ¬ meant to shame Macbeth into regaining control and acting like a man

  ¬uses the question as a manipulative tactic to control Macbeth's behavior and drive him to action

  ¬reveals the complex relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, with Lady Macbeth acting as a catalyst for his ambition and descent into madness. 
• Explode the quote, "give me the daggers"

  ¬"give"- imperative verb- emphasises LM's unnatural power over Mac.

  ¬highlights her character's control and ambition

  ¬creates a dramatic tension in the scene, making the audience aware of the power struggle between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth

  ¬ Lady Macbeth is subverting the traditional feminine role of a Jacobean woman by ordering her husband around and by being blood thirsty and manipulative as opposed to weak and motherly
• Explode the quote, "Out damned spot! Out I say! One- Two- why then tis time to doit. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier and afeard? What need we fear who tends it, when none can tell our power to account?"

  ¬her desperate attempt to cleanse the stain of her and Macbeth's murders, and it reveals the immense weight of her actions

  ¬"Hell is murky" reflects the moral darkness of their deeds

  ¬"A soldier and afeard?" is a sarcastic questioning of Macbeth's courage

  ¬"What need we fear who tends it, when none can tell our power to account?" is Lady Macbeth's attempt to rationalize their actions, implying they are safe as long as their power remains unchallenged

  ¬ serves to point to her evident loss of control. Repetition serves to convey a sense of panic and desperation, both of which are emotions that are the exact antithesis of control.