lady macbeth Flashcards
(11 cards)
introduction
- Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a complex and dynamic character whose fierce ambition and ruthless determination drove much of the plays tragic action, yet whose inner vulnerability ultimately unravels her
- she links heavily to themes of ambition, guilt, and the the supernatural
paragraph 1 quotation
‘unsex me here’
‘unsex me here’ analysis
→ her rejection of traditional feminine qualities highlights the extent to which ambition can compel individuals to discard their natural identities and moral limitations
→ by manipulating Macbeth’s insecurities, she catalyses his transformation for a valorous warrior into a tyrant blinded by ambition
→ in Jacobean times, traits associated with femininity - such as compassion, sensitivity and nurturance - were seen as weaknesses. By demanding to be ‘unsex[ed]’, Lady Macbeth is essentially rejecting these qualities in order to embrace a colder, more ruthless nature. This transformation is crucial for her ambition: she believes that without these feminine constraints, she will be better equipped to pursue the power she desires
→ the word ‘unsex’ is a powerful imperative that commands the removal of her gender identity. It suggests a complete metamorphosis, where natural human traits are cast aside in favour of a hardened, almost inhuman determination. This language underlines the idea that ambition, for Lady Macbeth, is so overwhelming that it justifies the rejection of her very nature
→ her invocation to the spirits also links her to the supernatural, hinting that the pursuit of power in ‘Macbeth’ is not merely a human failing, but one that is influenced by otherworldly forces
paragraph 1
- in the early stages of the play, she is depicted as an almost superhuman figure of resolve
- in Act 1, Scene 5, she amplifies destructive ambition
- in her soliloquy, where she implores the spirits to ‘unsex me here’ and full her with cruelty, reveals her own ruthless desire for power
→ her rejection of traditional feminine qualities highlights the extent to which ambition can compel individuals to discard their natural identities and moral limitations
→ by manipulating Macbeth’s insecurities, she catalyses his transformation for a valorous warrior into a tyrant blinded by ambition
→ in Jacobean times, traits associated with femininity - such as compassion, sensitivity and nurturance - were seen as weaknesses. By demanding to be ‘unsex[ed]’, Lady Macbeth is essentially rejecting these qualities in order to embrace a colder, more ruthless nature. This transformation is crucial for her ambition: she believes that without these feminine constraints, she will be better equipped to pursue the power she desires
→ the word ‘unsex’ is a powerful imperative that commands the removal of her gender identity. It suggests a complete metamorphosis, where natural human traits are cast aside in favour of a hardened, almost inhuman determination. This language underlines the idea that ambition, for Lady Macbeth, is so overwhelming that it justifies the rejection of her very nature
→ her invocation to the spirits also links her to the supernatural, hinting that the pursuit of power in ‘Macbeth’ is not merely a human failing, but one that is influenced by otherworldly forces
- through this appeal, Shakespeare presents ambition as a force that can compel individuals to subvert their inherent identities and moral limitations
- Lady Macbeth’s willingness to forsake her femininity reflects the broader theme of the play: the corrosive impact of unchecked ambition
→ her transformation is not portrayed as liberating, but as a dangerous deviation from the natural order - a deviation that ultimately leads to moral decay and chaos
- ambition, in this light, is both a personal and societal hazard, capable of corrupting even the most intricate aspects of one’s character
paragraph 2 quotation
‘a little water clears us of this deed’
‘a little water clears us of this deed’ analysis
→ on the surface, this remark suggests a cool dismissal of guilt and a belief that their crime can be easily erased. However, the simplicity of this reassurance becomes increasing ironic as the psychological burden of their actions begins to manifest
→ her attempt to downplay the horror of their deed foreshadows the eventual breakdown of her mental composure, indicating that beneath her confident exterior, cracks are forming
→ in this line she suggests the physical act of washing away the blood - a constant motif of the repercussions of tyranny - can be achieved as easily as rinsing with water
→ this understatement minimises the gravity of their crime → ‘a little water’ implies that only a minor effort is required to erase an enormous moral stain
→ this claim is deeply ironic → the audience understands that no amount of water can cleanse the of the psychological and ethical repercussions of regicide
→ Shakespeare uses ‘water’ as a symbol of attempted purification, but also as a reminder of the inescapable burden of guilt
→ foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene
paragraph 2
- as the play progresses, Shakespeare begins to reveal the cracks in Lady Macbeth’s once unyielding façade
- although she still attempts to control the narrative and manipulate Macbeth, subtle hints of anxiety start to surface
- after Duncan’s murder, she insists, ‘a little water clears us of this deed’
→ on the surface, this remark suggests a cool dismissal of guilt and a belief that their crime can be easily erased. However, the simplicity of this reassurance becomes increasing ironic as the psychological burden of their actions begins to manifest
→ her attempt to downplay the horror of their deed foreshadows the eventual breakdown of her mental composure, indicating that beneath her confident exterior, cracks are forming
→ in this line she suggests the physical act of washing away the blood - a constant motif of the repercussions of tyranny - can be achieved as easily as rinsing with water
→ this understatement minimises the gravity of their crime → ‘a little water’ implies that only a minor effort is required to erase an enormous moral stain
→ this claim is deeply ironic → the audience understands that no amount of water can cleanse the of the psychological and ethical repercussions of regicide
→ Shakespeare uses ‘water’ as a symbol of attempted purification, but also as a reminder of the inescapable burden of guilt
→ foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene
paragraph 3 quotation
‘Out, damned spot!’
‘Out, damned spot!’ analysis
→ unlike Macbeth’s overt paranoia, Lady Macbeth’s guilt festers internally, gradually eroding her sanity until it culminates in a tragic breakdown
→ the use of imperative language of ‘out’ highlights her desperate desire to expel the stain of guilt she cannot physically remove. It suggests her conscience is in revolt, trying to force the guilt away
→ the ‘spot’ refers to the imagines bloodstain on her hands. Blood, a recurring motif in the play, represents both the act of murder and the lasting burden of guilt
→ the word ‘damned’ intensifies the negativity of the spot. It suggests condemnation and an irreversible state of being cursed
→ the choice of word highlights that her guilt is not just a simple feeling of remorse; it’s a damning force that has tainted her entire being, pushing her towards madness
paragraph 3
- Lady Macbeth, who initially appeared untroubled by the murderous plan, ultimately succumbs to the weight of guilt in a profoundly different manner
- her earlier determination and cold pragmatism give way to obsessive compulsions, most notably her famous sleepwalking scene where she desperately tries to cleanse her hands of imagined bloodstains
- her anguished cry, ‘Out, damned spot!’ reveals that despite her earlier dismissal of remorse, the guilt associated with her complicity in Duncan’s murder has fragmented her psyche
→ unlike Macbeth’s overt paranoia, Lady Macbeth’s guilt festers internally, gradually eroding her sanity until it culminates in a tragic breakdown
→ the use of imperative language of ‘out’ highlights her desperate desire to expel the stain of guilt she cannot physically remove. It suggests her conscience is in revolt, trying to force the guilt away
→ the ‘spot’ refers to the imagines bloodstain on her hands. Blood, a recurring motif in the play, represents both the act of murder and the lasting burden of guilt
→ the word ‘damned’ intensifies the negativity of the spot. It suggests condemnation and an irreversible state of being cursed
→ the choice of word highlights that her guilt is not just a simple feeling of remorse; it’s a damning force that has tainted her entire being, pushing her towards madness
- Shakespeare presents her guilt as a psychological burden that manifests physically
- her repeated attempts to cleanse her hands symbolically implies that no amount of washing or effort can rid her of her inner torment
- this scene also marks a dramatic contrast in her character. Earlier in the play, she was the one who urged Macbeth to commit regicide without remorse, but now, overwhelmed by the consequences, she is consumed by the very guilt she helped create
conclusion
- ultimately, Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene as a multifaceted character whose transformation from a ruthless conspirator to a guilt-ridden and isolated figure encapsulates the plays central themes of ambition, power and moral decay
- even as she disappears in the middle of the play, her and her ideas still haunt the narrative
