lady macbeth act 5 scene 1 and act 2 scene 2 (perfume and water )

• Lady Macbeth: '"A little water clears us of this deed"'
• Lady Macbeth: '"All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand"'
• Meaning and context


  Lady Macbeth at first suggests that it won't take much for their consciences to be cleared after Duncan's murder; later, she realises that nothing could remove the feelings of guilt
• These quotations come


  Before the murder of King Duncan
• These quotations come


  Right before her suicide
• Lady Macbeth's confidence


  Contrasts with Macbeth's belief that all the water in "Neptune's ocean" couldn't wash the blood (symbolising guilt) from his hand
• "Hands"


  Represent responsibility
• Later in the play, Lady Macbeth sees blood on her hands


  Guilt and responsibility for the murder of Duncan
• Lady Macbeth's original confidence


  Was misplaced: her "little hand" is dirtied by blood, and seemingly nothing (even "all the perfumes of Arabia") can cleanse it of her guilt and responsibility