Lady Macbeth

• used as a means of questioning whether it is possible to challenge gender norms: manipulative proves she challenges: tormented by guilt proves she can't
• parallel to macbeth
• Lady Macbeths Machiavellian scheming
• she introduces the theme of appearance vs reality- her deceptive nature- or the deceptive nature of women in general
• “Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.”
• What phrase is Lady Macbeth associated with that conveys the theme of appearance versus reality?

  "Look like the innocent flower"
• The theme of appearance versus reality is a central theme in the play
• The biblical allusion to the serpent in Lady Macbeth's character links her to Eve in the Garden of Eden.
• What imperative verb is used to describe Lady Macbeth's manipulative command to Macbeth?

  Be
• Lady Macbeth's rejection of traditional gender roles would have shocked a Jacobean audience.
• Lady Macbeth uses immorality as a tool to seize power.
• “A little water clears us of this deed.”

  initial moral detachment and cold pragmatism unlike Macbeth who is fully engulfed and paralysed by his guilt- she believes that she can easily cleanse her self

  • "a little water"-contrasts dramatically with the gravity if regicide highlighting her moral numbness
  • euphemism- avoids naming it as what it is-regicide- her repression and denial of guilt as a coping mechanism.
  • foreshadows the tragic downfall as sin cannot be easily removed except by repentance.
  • Shakespeare uses this line to show how it is impossible to wash away immorality therefore we shouldn't engage in any immoral acts to begin with
• “Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.”
• “Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.”

  olfactory imagery(sense of smell= suggest her guilt- blood-motif- the guilt hasn't just stained her physically but has fully engulfed her to the point where her senses are affected-inescapable sensory experience

  no luxury or power can cover up her moral corruption.

  "little hand"- trying to feminise herself again- realisation has hit she no longer wants to be masculine any more- Shakespeare showing that attempts to subvert ones gender role will eventually lead to regret- also shows how because she is a woman- she is weak and is incapable of dealing with violence

  her guilt is manifested both physically and psychologically-Shakes crafts her downfall as a moral justice
• "take my milk for gall"

  Gall was associated with yellow bile in the ancient theory of the four humours, which was believed to influence personality and emotions. An excess of yellow bile was thought to make a person ruthless and insolent, which fits Lady Macbeth’s desire to rid herself of compassion and become more merciless
• The deuteragonist (second most significant character) in the drama, the wife of Macbeth who shares his lust for power