Lady Macbeth Flashcards

1
Q

Role

A

Changes throughout the play
At first is very powerful and ambitious and challenges patriarchy by being dominant and superior in her relationship with Macbeth- she emotionally blackmails him and challenges his masculinity and her ambition is her harmartia

After taking part in the murder of Duncan (and calling on the ‘mortal spirits’ to allow her to do so she becomes consumed by guilt which leads to her death

Like Macbeth she acts to deter audience from committing regicide by showing huge amount of pain and suffering and guilt she experiences
Also shows that the supernatural should not be trusted and are agents of evil

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2
Q

Quotes for her being presented as powerful

A

‘When you durst do it then you were a man’
Making Macbeth appear weak as ‘durst’ means ‘dare’- she is suggesting he has a lack of courage
‘Then’ she is manipulating him and telling him he cannot be a man until he has murdered Duncan

‘Look the innocent flower but be the serpent undert’ she is taking control over Macbeth and telling him what to do
She would rather have ‘dashed the brains out’ and kill a baby than break a promise
(She is influential over Macbeth and ruthless)

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3
Q

Quotes for her being weak

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‘Out damned spot out I say!’
Imperative- shows desperation and guilt as her sinful actions are causing her so much guilt and suffering
‘Damned’ shows her actions are cursed and messed up as they are influenced by the witches ho neither her nor Macbeth should have trusted
‘Spot’ shows how such a small speck of blood is mentally tormenting her

‘The perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little deed’
Perfumes are often associated with feminist traits which contrast to Lady Macbeth who has gone against her gender stereotype
Perfumes are sweet- nothing even as strong as perfume can forgive her of her sins

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