Lady macbeth

Cards (10)

  • "Come you, spirits... unsex me here" (Act 1) "pour my spirits" (Act 1)
  • Imperative "come, you":

    By employing imperative phrases like "come you," she demonstrates a commanding familiarity with the ominous supernatural realm.Unhesitant and determined, she calls upon dark external forces without hesitation, seeking liberation from the societal constraints imposed by her femininity.
  • Her androgynous nature would be perceived to be superatural in the Jacobean era as the gender roles were rigid and any break in this would show she is possessed by a supernatural force.
    • Syntax :

    the syntax of "spirits" preceding "unsex" underscores her conviction that supernatural intervention is imperative for her desire to be successfully "unsexed." The deliberate arrangement of these terms in her speech illuminates the dependence she places on the supernatural, revealing how this is a necessity for transcending societal norms.
  • Her recognition on her dependence on the supernatural realm reflects a social awareness that liberation from the societal constraints imposed on he femininity necessitates an engagement with forces beyond the natural order
  • "Look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't" (Lady M. Act 1)
    "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafted" (Witches Act.])
  • Both personify key theme of appearance vs reality: 

    Lady Macbeth assumes the role of the fourth witch within the play, employing cunning achemes to manipulate Macbeth. Significantly, both the Witches and Lady Macbeth embody the central theme of appearance versus reality, skillfully employing deceptive practices to manoeuvre acquiring power over Macbeth.
  • Biblical allusion:
    Lady Macbeth incorporates a biblical allusion by employing the term"serpent," drawing parallels to the Genesis narrative depicting the fall of mankind.This deliberate choice of diction serves to underscore her belief in the effectiveness of deception, akin to the serpent's manipulation of Adam and Eve.
    • Lady Macbeth adeptly highlights the effectiveness of deception when cloaked in an"innocent" flower like façade, emphasising the ease with which such deceit can be orchestrated, especially when temptation and pride are at play.
  • Short sentense: 

    Similar to Lady Macbeth, the Witches exploit Macbeth's hubris to help employ their deceptive influence. The short sentence, with commas either side of Macbeth's name, signifies their targeted approach. Through prophecies tailored to stroke his ego and satisfy his ambitions, the Witches effectively obscure his judgement, making him susceptible to their manipulative schemes