Guilt Flashcards
(8 cards)
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand
Wonders if anything can cleanse him of the guilt he feels. He fears that his guilt is so powerful that even an entire ocean can not wash the metaphorical “blood” from his hands. The use of hyperbole emphasizes Macbeth’s guilt highlighting the intensity of what he has done.
Neptune is referenced to evoke a powerful image of endless water.
The word wash connotes purification - but the simplicity of the act is contrasted with its impossibility.
The audience feels sympathy for Macbeth due to his instant psychological collapse
Shakespeare uses this to show the psychological impact of crime
O full of scorpions is my mind dear wife
His mind is filled with dangerous painful thoughts.
He is consumed by fear and anxiety about Banquo and Fleance.
His guilt and paranoia are driving him to consider more violence.
Scorpions = his thought are poisonous, harmful and constantly stinging him
The use of imagery evokes something inescapable making his torment vivid and threatening
full = infested and overwhelmed
Macbeth confides in Lady Macbeth
Foreshadows Macbeths further violence.
Shakespeare demonstrates how guilt poisons the mind .
All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand
Realizes that no amount of perfume can mask the smell of blood on her hands.
Her guilt is so deep and pungent that it can never be hidden or erased.
Complete mental breakdown. Realization of the inescapability of her crime.
The use of hyperbole emphasizes the overwhelming and permanent nature of her guilt .
Desperation
little = makes her seem vulnerable
The audience feels sympathy
Shakespeare uses this to show the power of guilt
My hands are of your colour but I shame to wear a heart so white
Although both their hands are covered in blood (both guilty), she would be ashamed to be fearful and cowardly as Macbeth .
She is criticizing him - showing that she sees guilt as weakness.
White = connotes purity- his heart is to innocent for the crime they have committed
She is dismissing guilt and fear.
The audience view Lady Macbeth as a ruthless and cold intimidating figure
Shakespeare uses this to challenge gender role.
Not for their own demerits but for mine.
Expressing deep guilt and self-blame after hearing about the death of his wife and children.
demerits = they were blameless victims and he feels responsible
mine = full emotional weight on himself , personal sense of responsibility .
their death was unjust, Macbeth is to blame
The audience feel Sympathy for Macbeth
Shakespeare uses this to show how Innocent Macduff’s family was and his honour and humility
A little water clears us of this deed
Reassuring Macbeth that simply washing their hands will remove the physical evidence of the murder.
She believes that they can avoid guilt and consequences.
water = cleansing - simple solution to their guilt
She thinks the impact of their crime is only physical.
deed = downplays the seriousness of regicide
little - ease = guilt can be removed
The audience is shocked by Lady Macbeth’s coldness and
Shakespeare uses this to show her Lack of morality .
Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t
Advices Macbeth to appear innocent and hide the guilt he feels because of the deadly intentions underneath. She’s telling him to deceive others so they wont suspect him
Her manipulative nature.
Appearance can be used as a weapon
The simile suggests that he should seem kind and innocent
snake - sly and dangerous
Juxtaposition contrast between appearance and reality.
Lady Macbeth is the driving force behind Macbeth
Where our desire is got without content
Even though they have achieved their ambition, they are unfulfilled.
There is no peace in what they have gotten but rather anxiety and guilt.
Ambition alone cannot bring true happiness .
Emptiness of success, power comes with psychological torment, making victory feel like a loss.
The audience feels pity for Lady Macbeth
Shakespeare shows the psychological cost of ambition.
