Lady Macbeth Flashcards
(4 cards)
“When you durst do it then you were a man”
The line exemplifies how she emasculates Macbeth and challenges his honor, making him feel weak and cowardly for doubting the murder. In this context, the questioning of manhood becomes a form of psychological manipulation, as Lady Macbeth exploits Macbeth’s desire to be perceived as strong and virile. By framing the act of murder as a way to prove himself, she creates a situation where Macbeth is pushed into a decision that he might not otherwise have made. This moment is pivotal because it underscores how Lady Macbeth’s ambition is even more intense than Macbeth’s. She does not hesitate to push him toward murder and treachery, not out of love but because she believes in the necessity of ruthless action to achieve power.
“Unsex me here”
“Take my milk for gall you murdring ministers”
By wanting to rid herself of her womanhood, Lady Macbeth is rejecting the traditional gender roles that confine her. In Shakespearean times, women were expected to be gentle, nurturing, and submissive, and Lady Macbeth rejects these qualities in favor of the masculine traits she associates with ruthlessness, ambition, and strength. This plea is a manifestation of her desire for absolute control and the power to act decisively without being hindered by the emotional constraints that society associates with femininity. She seeks to transform herself into a cold, calculating instrument of murder, willing to do anything necessary to gain power. The term “ministers” suggests that she sees these supernatural forces as servants or agents that will help her fulfill her will. By invoking them in this way, Lady Macbeth is acknowledging that she is willing to accept a moral corruption that will free her from the emotional consequences of her actions.
Analyse quote “Our damned spot: out I say” (act 5 scene 1)
Lady Macbeth’s frantic attempts to rid herself of the “spot” represent her futile efforts to escape the psychological and moral weight of the murder. The “damned” quality of the spot reflects the irrevocable nature of the crime—she feels that the stain on her conscience is eternal, and no amount of physical cleansing can wash away the sin. The repetition of the command to “out” reveals her obsession and the increasing urgency with which she seeks to exorcise the evil she believes she carries. Her rationality is crumbling, and she is unable to distinguish between the real world and her tormented imagination. This marks the climax of her psychological disintegration, as she is no longer the cold, calculating woman who could once manipulate her husband. The stark contrast between the ambitious Lady Macbeth in Act 1 and the guilt-ridden Lady Macbeth in Act 5 demonstrates the devastating effects of unrepentant ambition and moral corruption.
“This is the very painting of your fear, this is the air drawn danger” (act 3 scene 4)
Lady Macbeth’s response also reveals her lack of empathy and emotional disconnect. While Macbeth is visibly distressed and overwhelmed by the guilt and paranoia that the vision of Banquo’s ghost evokes, Lady Macbeth tries to convince him that this danger is something he has fabricated in his mind—a figment of imagination rather than a real threat. This highlights Lady Macbeth’s initial strength and control in their relationship, as she is trying to assert her authority and influence over her husband. She has been the instigator of many of Macbeth’s actions in the play, and here, she attempts to dominate his emotions once again by questioning the validity of his fears. The ghost of Banquo, then, becomes a visual representation of the imposter nature of their power and their fearful awareness that their rule is unstable and founded on bloodshed.
