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Act 1 Scene 5In this scene we see Lady Macbeth reading a letter from her husband. In the letter Macbeth explains what the witches have said to Banquo and himself. Lady Macbeth becomes very intent on helping Macbeth become king (and make herself queen!).
Doubtful Lady Macbeth thinks that her husband is too nice to "catch the nearest way" to becoming king...basically by killing King Duncan. She says that he is "too full of the milk of human kindness" (too nice/a decent human being) to do the deed. So, she decides to "pour [her] spirits" in his ear meaning that she is going to manipulate him by what she says to Macbeth. Ruthless Lady Macbeth demonstrates her ruthless nature when she asks the spirits to "unsex [her] here" in order to remove all the the caring qualities associated with females/mothers which will give her the power to commit the evil deeds. She also asks to be filled "from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty", showing just how cruel and evil she wants to become in order to be queen. Deceitful Lady Macbeth shows herself to be very deceitful when she encourages her husband to "look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it". This demonstrates how she is encouraging her husband to present himself as a kind, gentle "flower" but inside be a violent and deceptive "serpent". |
Task |
Look at the language of Lady Macbeth in this scene. Pick out as many words/phrases as you can that fit under the following categories: violence, death, ambition, motherhood, supernatural. A word/phrase can go in more than one category.
Extension: Add one more category that you think is relevant add and words/phrases to it. |
Exam tip |
If you were to get this as the Macbeth extract question, remember to mention that it happens in the play after Macbeth has heard the witches prophecy and has written to his wife to explain what has happened. You need to locate where in the play it has come from for the extract question.
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