Lady macbeth

• ‘Dash’d the brains out’ (Act1)
• Plosive on ’dash’d’ (Act1)
• Plosive on ‘dash’d’ :


  The plosive on ’dash’d’ creates a brutal sound, mirroring her brutal rejection of motherly instincts. Her proclivity for violence takes precednce of motherhood, leading to her unapologetic willingness to extinguish human life in the relentless pursuit of unchecked violent ambition.
• Juxtaposition:


  The deliberate contrast between the forceful verb ‘dash’d‘ and delicate nature of ‘brains’ serve as a poignant symbol reflecting lady Macbeth character. Despite her seemingly fragile exterior, she harbour a strong side to instigate violence and chaos.
• Notably, her choice of targeting the vulnerable ‘brains‘ of an infant signifies recognition of both the paramount importance and extreme fragility of human existence. Yet this is ironic, as the organ she speaks to disrupt in her unborn child – the seat of morality and reason – becomes the locus of her downfall
• [enters with a taper] (act5)
• Symbolism of [taper]:


  as a [taper] provides light, this is emblematic of how lady Macbeth is seeking light, hope and solace in her eternal mental darkness
• In Christian symbolism, light often represents hope and divine guidance. Thus, her entering with it can be seen as a desperate grasp for solace and perhaps even as subconsciously God’s redemption from the sin that torment her
• Character develpment:


  her need for light is the antithesis to her early presentation in act 1 where she calls upon the night, wanting darkness to help fuel her violent and malevolent plans
• The motifs of darkness and light reinforces how lady Macbeth depraved and dark ones for violent consequently cause her desperation to see the light and seek redemption