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Though Macbeth is the focus of the play, his wife steals every scene she's in. She suggests, plans and ensures the success of their assassination of Duncan, which then sets the action of the play in motion. Also, since Macbeth was against the idea of killing Duncan it seems quite clear that he wouldn't have done it without her intervention, so you could reasonably argue that she is the driving force behind the narrative.
Though Macbeth is the focus of the play, his wife steals every scene she's in. She suggests, plans and ensures the success of their assassination of Duncan, which then sets the action of the play in motion. Also, since Macbeth was against the idea of killing Duncan it seems quite clear that he wouldn't have done it without her intervention, so you could reasonably argue that she is the driving force behind the narrative.
My reading of Macbeth is that it's quite a misogynist play - which means it's essentially focused on a very negative portrayal of women. The argument is that Macbeth was a good man who was led astray by his involvement with his wife and the witches, and that the message of the play is not to listen to women! This is quite well supported by the text, and I think it's certainly true that a Jacobean audience would have seen Lady Macbeth as a straight up villain.
My reading of Macbeth is that it's quite a misogynist play - which means it's essentially focused on a very negative portrayal of women. The argument is that Macbeth was a good man who was led astray by his involvement with his wife and the witches, and that the message of the play is not to listen to women! This is quite well supported by the text, and I think it's certainly true that a Jacobean audience would have seen Lady Macbeth as a straight up villain.
Modern readings of the play tend to celebrate her, however, and she's become a kind of feminist pin-up: she's an ambitious and intelligent woman, during a period of history when women were supposed to be neither. This is also true, and doesn't contradict my interpretation at all.
Modern readings of the play tend to celebrate her, however, and she's become a kind of feminist pin-up: she's an ambitious and intelligent woman, during a period of history when women were supposed to be neither. This is also true, and doesn't contradict my interpretation at all.
Lady Macbeth was driven, intelligent and a fundamentally evil influence on her husband: all these things can be true.
Lady Macbeth was driven, intelligent and a fundamentally evil influence on her husband: all these things can be true.
What is definitely true is that Lady Macbeth was the driving force behind killing Duncan, an act she carried out with ruthless abandon; that throughout the play she continued to be driven, motivated and without regret; and then, at the end, in one scene, she is suddenly so consumed by regret that she (allegedly) kills herself.
What is definitely true is that Lady Macbeth was the driving force behind killing Duncan, an act she carried out with ruthless abandon; that throughout the play she continued to be driven, motivated and without regret; and then, at the end, in one scene, she is suddenly so consumed by regret that she (allegedly) kills herself.
Lady Macbeth's Opening Scene
Lady Macbeth's Opening Scene
In Lady Macbeth's opening scene her character is very clearly villainous. She comes on stage reading a letter from her husband - which I'll come back to in the next section - and then she goes into a speech in which she basically just insults him.
In Lady Macbeth's opening scene her character is very clearly villainous. She comes on stage reading a letter from her husband - which I'll come back to in the next section - and then she goes into a speech in which she basically just insults him.
He's too "full o' the milk of human kindness," which connects him to femininity and childhood. And because she's describing a man who's just cut someone's head off and mounted it on the battlements as being too full of "kindness" this quote says a lot about Lady Macbeth's understanding of what it is to be kind!!
He's too "full o' the milk of human kindness," which connects him to femininity and childhood. And because she's describing a man who's just cut someone's head off and mounted it on the battlements as being too full of "kindness" this quote says a lot about Lady Macbeth's understanding of what it is to be kind!!
She says he's "not without ambition" - which suggests that he probably doesn't have that much ambition. But, again, this is a man who's just been promoted to one of the highest positions in the Scottish nobility - the highest position he could reasonably attain without being in line to the throne - and yet that isn't enough for this woman.
She says he's "not without ambition" - which suggests that he probably doesn't have that much ambition. But, again, this is a man who's just been promoted to one of the highest positions in the Scottish nobility - the highest position he could reasonably attain without being in line to the throne - and yet that isn't enough for this woman.
She asks him to come to her so she can "pour her spirits in his ear," which suggests that she wants to change him and make him more like her. Again, this would have been quite uncomfortable for an audience to hear, not just because it was a woman influencing her husband, but because we already know that Macbeth was a good man who's already being led astray by the witches. We know now that Macbeth is in trouble.
She asks him to come to her so she can "pour her spirits in his ear," which suggests that she wants to change him and make him more like her. Again, this would have been quite uncomfortable for an audience to hear, not just because it was a woman influencing her husband, but because we already know that Macbeth was a good man who's already being led astray by the witches. We know now that Macbeth is in trouble.
Immediately after this speech, a servant announces that Duncan is coming to the castle and Lady Macbeth responds by casting a magic spell in which she demands that spirits do certain things for her:
Immediately after this speech, a servant announces that Duncan is coming to the castle and Lady Macbeth responds by casting a magic spell in which she demands that spirits do certain things for her:
She asks them to "unsex me here," which, contrary to popular belief, doesn't mean she wants to become more masculine - as this would have meant she was tied to the kind of masculine codes of conduct which meant she should have remained loyal to Duncan - it means she wants to have all the codes of gender removed from her completely, meaning she is essentially free to act without constraints.
She asks them to "unsex me here," which, contrary to popular belief, doesn't mean she wants to become more masculine - as this would have meant she was tied to the kind of masculine codes of conduct which meant she should have remained loyal to Duncan - it means she wants to have all the codes of gender removed from her completely, meaning she is essentially free to act without constraints.
And she asks that the spirits "stop up the access and passage to remorse," which means that the spell will stop her from feeling any regret for what she's doing. This is possibly important as it might explain why she has such a sudden change of heart later on.
And she asks that the spirits "stop up the access and passage to remorse," which means that the spell will stop her from feeling any regret for what she's doing. This is possibly important as it might explain why she has such a sudden change of heart later on.
Lady Macbeth Persuades Her Husband
Lady Macbeth Persuades Her Husband
At the end of her opening scene Macbeth arrives and they discuss Duncan's arrival. Macbeth says that Duncan is coming that evening; Lady Macbeth asks when he's leaving; Macbeth says "tomorrow, as he purposes;" and then Lady Macbeth says that he'll never see the morning. This is really important as it proves that at this point, Macbeth has no intention of killing Duncan that night; and, most importantly: it is Lady Macbeth who suggests killing him.
At the end of her opening scene Macbeth arrives and they discuss Duncan's arrival. Macbeth says that Duncan is coming that evening; Lady Macbeth asks when he's leaving; Macbeth says "tomorrow, as he purposes;" and then Lady Macbeth says that he'll never see the morning. This is really important as it proves that at this point, Macbeth has no intention of killing Duncan that night; and, most importantly: it is Lady Macbeth who suggests killing him.
By Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth has decided that he definitely doesn't want to kill Duncan and says so to his wife. In a relatively short sequence, Lady Macbeth talks him around. It is interesting that she does this in a number of ways, but primarily through attacking his masculinity - "when you durst do it you were a man," she says. However, here, Lady Macbeth is showing a lack of understanding for masculine codes of conduct, which would have said that Macbeth should remain loyal to Duncan.
By Act 1 Scene 7, Macbeth has decided that he definitely doesn't want to kill Duncan and says so to his wife. In a relatively short sequence, Lady Macbeth talks him around. It is interesting that she does this in a number of ways, but primarily through attacking his masculinity - "when you durst do it you were a man," she says. However, here, Lady Macbeth is showing a lack of understanding for masculine codes of conduct, which would have said that Macbeth should remain loyal to Duncan.
Alongside this, Lady Macbeth starts gaslighting Macbeth when she says things like "what beast was't that made you break this enterprise to me?" Which suggests that killing Duncan was Macbeth's idea, even though it was her who suggested it. Gaslighting is when you make someone doubt the reliability of their own memory, and is a form of abuse. Really, a lot of this scene - and the relationship between the Macbeths - is a portrait of an abusive relationship where the wife 'henpecks' the husband into doing as he's told - and although the history of gender is complex the image of the 'henpecked husband' - which is a man whose wife has told him off so regularly that he eventually loses the ability to make decisions for himself - is one that goes back hundreds of years.
Alongside this, Lady Macbeth starts gaslighting Macbeth when she says things like "what beast was't that made you break this enterprise to me?" Which suggests that killing Duncan was Macbeth's idea, even though it was her who suggested it. Gaslighting is when you make someone doubt the reliability of their own memory, and is a form of abuse. Really, a lot of this scene - and the relationship between the Macbeths - is a portrait of an abusive relationship where the wife 'henpecks' the husband into doing as he's told - and although the history of gender is complex the image of the 'henpecked husband' - which is a man whose wife has told him off so regularly that he eventually loses the ability to make decisions for himself - is one that goes back hundreds of years.
The final thing that talks him round, however, is the moment she talks about killing their baby. Though this has led to discussions as to whether the Macbeths had a child previously, there is another suggestion for it outline if you click here.
The final thing that talks him round, however, is the moment she talks about killing their baby. Though this has led to discussions as to whether the Macbeths had a child previously, there is another suggestion for it outline if you click here.
Anyway, in the end Macbeth is talked around and by the end of the scene he agrees to kill Duncan. In the background, however, we can't ignore the idea that Lady Macbeth could be a witch, and have access to some of their powers. There are two key pieces of evidence for it:
Anyway, in the end Macbeth is talked around and by the end of the scene he agrees to kill Duncan. In the background, however, we can't ignore the idea that Lady Macbeth could be a witch, and have access to some of their powers. There are two key pieces of evidence for it:
The first is simply the fact that she performs a magic spell almost as soon as she's onstage, and I can't help but think that if you've got a play about witches and you have someone who enters and performs a magic spell an audience can be forgiven for thinking that she's probably a witch.
The first is simply the fact that she performs a magic spell almost as soon as she's onstage, and I can't help but think that if you've got a play about witches and you have someone who enters and performs a magic spell an audience can be forgiven for thinking that she's probably a witch.
The second is a little more subtle: When Macbeth writes to his wife, he says that the witches told him he would be "king that shalt be," though the witches actually called him "king hereafter." This misquote wouldn't be important except that when Lady Macbeth meets Macbeth she calls him "king hereafter." So Lady Macbeth gets the quote right even though Macbeth got the quote wrong. This, again, is a small point but I can't help but think that someone with Shakespeare's linguistic skill wouldn't have overlooked this.
The second is a little more subtle: When Macbeth writes to his wife, he says that the witches told him he would be "king that shalt be," though the witches actually called him "king hereafter." This misquote wouldn't be important except that when Lady Macbeth meets Macbeth she calls him "king hereafter." So Lady Macbeth gets the quote right even though Macbeth got the quote wrong. This, again, is a small point but I can't help but think that someone with Shakespeare's linguistic skill wouldn't have overlooked this.
So: was she a witch? I don't know, but there is some evidence that suggests she was.
So: was she a witch? I don't know, but there is some evidence that suggests she was.
Lady Macbeth as a Queen
Lady Macbeth as a Queen
Despite her being the driving force behind the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth doesn't seem to enjoy being Queen very much. The only real commentary we get on it comes from four lines in Act 3 Scene 2 - at around the time when Macbeth is planing on killing Banquo. In a short speech Lady Macbeth says:
Despite her being the driving force behind the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth doesn't seem to enjoy being Queen very much. The only real commentary we get on it comes from four lines in Act 3 Scene 2 - at around the time when Macbeth is planing on killing Banquo. In a short speech Lady Macbeth says:
Nought's had, all's spent,
Nought's had, all's spent,
Where our desire is got without content:
Where our desire is got without content:
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
What she's saying here is: we've spent everything but have got nothing if we're not happy with what we thought we wanted. This basically means that although they're royals now, they're not happy. She goes on to say that it is "safer" to be those who they killed than it is to be in their position where they're constantly doubting what they've got.
What she's saying here is: we've spent everything but have got nothing if we're not happy with what we thought we wanted. This basically means that although they're royals now, they're not happy. She goes on to say that it is "safer" to be those who they killed than it is to be in their position where they're constantly doubting what they've got.
These four lines are crucial though as they're the only lines in the play, prior to the sleepwalking scene, where Lady Macbeth expresses any kind of regret for what they've done - and even this isn't exactly "regret," it's more that she's angry because they're not happy and feels insecure in her new position.
These four lines are crucial though as they're the only lines in the play, prior to the sleepwalking scene, where Lady Macbeth expresses any kind of regret for what they've done - and even this isn't exactly "regret," it's more that she's angry because they're not happy and feels insecure in her new position.
One final and quite important reflection on the position that both Macbeths find themselves in is that neither of them ever expressed any real reason to want to become royalty; both of them are just driven by this abstract idea of "ambition" as though that itself is a reason. In many ways I find this quite troubling. If I'm ambitious for something there's normally a reason for it - I want the money, the fame, the chance to do something I love - or whatever - but it's not just "ambition" for something for no other reason than "ambition." I find this omission a little difficult to swallow.
One final and quite important reflection on the position that both Macbeths find themselves in is that neither of them ever expressed any real reason to want to become royalty; both of them are just driven by this abstract idea of "ambition" as though that itself is a reason. In many ways I find this quite troubling. If I'm ambitious for something there's normally a reason for it - I want the money, the fame, the chance to do something I love - or whatever - but it's not just "ambition" for something for no other reason than "ambition." I find this omission a little difficult to swallow.
One of the first things that a good writer thinks about is motivation - what is driving characters to act in the way they act? Here we have "ambition" drove Lady Macbeth, but beyond that there doesn't seem to be very much.
One of the first things that a good writer thinks about is motivation - what is driving characters to act in the way they act? Here we have "ambition" drove Lady Macbeth, but beyond that there doesn't seem to be very much.
The Sudden Death of Lady Macbeth
The Sudden Death of Lady Macbeth
The traditional reading of this play is simple: Lady Macbeth was ambitious for the throne, so she arranged to have Duncan killed so that she could seize the throne, but in the end she is consumed by regret and kills herself - in the end she discovers that although she can order the rest of the world around, she cannot order away her inevitable feelings of guilt.
The traditional reading of this play is simple: Lady Macbeth was ambitious for the throne, so she arranged to have Duncan killed so that she could seize the throne, but in the end she is consumed by regret and kills herself - in the end she discovers that although she can order the rest of the world around, she cannot order away her inevitable feelings of guilt.
That reading is broadly fine, except that when we write about characters we often talk about a character arc, which is the journey at a character goes on. They might start the play feeling one way, but by the end they feel something different and the play explores how they change. This isn't really true for Lady Macbeth, her character arc goes:
That reading is broadly fine, except that when we write about characters we often talk about a character arc, which is the journey at a character goes on. They might start the play feeling one way, but by the end they feel something different and the play explores how they change. This isn't really true for Lady Macbeth, her character arc goes:
Act 1 - tough and without regret
Act 1 - tough and without regret
Act 2 - tough and without regret
Act 2 - tough and without regret
Act 3 - tough and without regret
Act 3 - tough and without regret
Act 4 - she doesn't appear
Act 4 - she doesn't appear
Act 5 - suicidal regret
Act 5 - suicidal regret
So there's no real arc for her - there's no period in between her feeling no regret and her feeling regret; she just goes from one space to the other and her change is entirely off-stage. This is a perfectly reasonable criticism of the play, and you can find out more about it by clicking here and looking in the section about guilt.
So there's no real arc for her - there's no period in between her feeling no regret and her feeling regret; she just goes from one space to the other and her change is entirely off-stage. This is a perfectly reasonable criticism of the play, and you can find out more about it by clicking here and looking in the section about guilt.
NOTE: There is a clearer explanation for her death, and although it's not really mentioned in the play it dos make sense: Lady Macbeth was presented as a powerful, independent woman who would bow to no-one! At the end of the play, with the English army approaching the castle, it seems clear that her husband is going to lose the throne and she will, inevitably, be arrested - though in 11th Century Scotland her treatment would have been significantly worse that just being stuck in a cell! As a result, it makes a lot of sense that she took her own life to avoid this fate. It wasn't uncommon for
NOTE: There is a clearer explanation for her death, and although it's not really mentioned in the play it dos make sense: Lady Macbeth was presented as a powerful, independent woman who would bow to no-one! At the end of the play, with the English army approaching the castle, it seems clear that her husband is going to lose the throne and she will, inevitably, be arrested - though in 11th Century Scotland her treatment would have been significantly worse that just being stuck in a cell! As a result, it makes a lot of sense that she took her own life to avoid this fate. It wasn't uncommon for
Lady Macbeth as a Powerful Woman
Lady Macbeth as a Powerful Woman
One of the reasons that Lady Macbeth is so celebrated these days is that she was a powerful woman in a society that tried hard to oppress powerful women. To understand her role, though, it's important to understand the difference between the patriarchy and misogyny:
One of the reasons that Lady Macbeth is so celebrated these days is that she was a powerful woman in a society that tried hard to oppress powerful women. To understand her role, though, it's important to understand the difference between the patriarchy and misogyny:
The patriarchy is a political and social system that seeks to repress women and empower men.
The patriarchy is a political and social system that seeks to repress women and empower men.
Misogyny is a hatred of, or a fear of, women.
Misogyny is a hatred of, or a fear of, women.
Jacobean England was a patriarchal society because it sought to keep women away from positions of power. Men were awarded legal and social power by virtue of their genders. In this respect, Lady Macbeth certainly fights against the expected social norm - she wants power and is prepared to do anything she can do to get it.
Jacobean England was a patriarchal society because it sought to keep women away from positions of power. Men were awarded legal and social power by virtue of their genders. In this respect, Lady Macbeth certainly fights against the expected social norm - she wants power and is prepared to do anything she can do to get it.
But Jacobean England was also a very misogynistic period of history, as shown through the increased obsession they had with witchcraft. The fear of witches is a great example of misogyny: it's about the fear of powerful women, it's about the fear of women who can influence men, and the misogyny at the heart of this wasn't the fear of women who had no power, it was the fear of women who wanted power; and it is the kind of women who wanted power that Macbeth warns us against, which is why this can be considered a misogynistic play.
But Jacobean England was also a very misogynistic period of history, as shown through the increased obsession they had with witchcraft. The fear of witches is a great example of misogyny: it's about the fear of powerful women, it's about the fear of women who can influence men, and the misogyny at the heart of this wasn't the fear of women who had no power, it was the fear of women who wanted power; and it is the kind of women who wanted power that Macbeth warns us against, which is why this can be considered a misogynistic play.
Since Jacobean England was a patriarchal society, would they have recognised powerful women?
Since Jacobean England was a patriarchal society, would they have recognised powerful women?
It's often argued that Lady Macbeth would have been seen as a radical and unusual character because she was an aggressive woman who desired power, but this doesn't really stand up to the test of history.
It's often argued that Lady Macbeth would have been seen as a radical and unusual character because she was an aggressive woman who desired power, but this doesn't really stand up to the test of history.
Bear in mind that just prior to Macbeth Queen Elizabeth I had been on the throne for 45 years - which was an unheard of length of time for a single monarch. Some of the audience would have only known a woman on the throne, and so would their parents and their grandparents. So it's really isn't true that powerful women would have been seen as surprising.
Bear in mind that just prior to Macbeth Queen Elizabeth I had been on the throne for 45 years - which was an unheard of length of time for a single monarch. Some of the audience would have only known a woman on the throne, and so would their parents and their grandparents. So it's really isn't true that powerful women would have been seen as surprising.
Nor is it true that aggression wouldn't have been recognised: Elizabeth was one of the most brutal rulers England has known: at one point she ordered the deaths of 450 Catholics after an uprising in northern England; on another occasion she ordered the execution of 130 Catholic priests, simply because they were Catholic*. And despite this, it was her sister - Mary - who went down in history as Bloody Mary, because during her short reign she killed almost as many!
Nor is it true that aggression wouldn't have been recognised: Elizabeth was one of the most brutal rulers England has known: at one point she ordered the deaths of 450 Catholics after an uprising in northern England; on another occasion she ordered the execution of 130 Catholic priests, simply because they were Catholic*. And despite this, it was her sister - Mary - who went down in history as Bloody Mary, because during her short reign she killed almost as many!
So it's really not fair to say that this society wouldn't have recognised powerful women, but it is fair to say that this society didn't encourage them! A misogynistic society like this was afraid of powerful women and wanted to oppress them; and when you consider this Lady Macbeth's character makes a lot more sense.
So it's really not fair to say that this society wouldn't have recognised powerful women, but it is fair to say that this society didn't encourage them! A misogynistic society like this was afraid of powerful women and wanted to oppress them; and when you consider this Lady Macbeth's character makes a lot more sense.
So, in short: people in Jacobean England would have recognised the existence of powerful women, but this play encourages them to root out and oppress the kind of women who desire power - whether they be witches or over-ambitious wives!
So, in short: people in Jacobean England would have recognised the existence of powerful women, but this play encourages them to root out and oppress the kind of women who desire power - whether they be witches or over-ambitious wives!
* Also, don't forget that this play was written for King James, and, amongst others, Elizabeth ordered the execution of her sister, Mary Queen of Scots, who was King James's mum.
* Also, don't forget that this play was written for King James, and, amongst others, Elizabeth ordered the execution of her sister, Mary Queen of Scots, who was King James's mum.
Lady Macbeth's Key Quotes:
Lady Macbeth's Key Quotes:
Art not without ambition & Too full o’ the milk of human kindness:
This comes from Lady Macbeth's first speech when she appears on-stage. In it, she describes her husband as being "not without ambition" which is like saying he's not THAT ambitious; and she says he's just too kind. Bearing in mind that this is a man who's just cut someone in half and been promoted to the highest position he can be, aside from being king, this seems pretty unfair really - to most people, he wouldn't seem very kind at all, and he's just won a big promotion. She's certainly not showing support for her husband. The reference to milk also has associations of femininity and childhood, which could have been seen as being quite insulting.
Art not without ambition & Too full o’ the milk of human kindness:
This comes from Lady Macbeth's first speech when she appears on-stage. In it, she describes her husband as being "not without ambition" which is like saying he's not THAT ambitious; and she says he's just too kind. Bearing in mind that this is a man who's just cut someone in half and been promoted to the highest position he can be, aside from being king, this seems pretty unfair really - to most people, he wouldn't seem very kind at all, and he's just won a big promotion. She's certainly not showing support for her husband. The reference to milk also has associations of femininity and childhood, which could have been seen as being quite insulting.
MY battlements
When she hears that Duncan is visiting her family home she refers to them as "my" battlements, showing just how she sees the power dynamic in their home.
MY battlements
When she hears that Duncan is visiting her family home she refers to them as "my" battlements, showing just how she sees the power dynamic in their home.
Come you spirits
Here, Lady Macbeth is ordering the spirits to come to her help. Does this confirm she's a witch? Perhaps not - though it's definitely being implied! What we can take from this though is that the way she uses imperatives - COME you spirits - shows just how demanding and powerful she sees herself.
Come you spirits
Here, Lady Macbeth is ordering the spirits to come to her help. Does this confirm she's a witch? Perhaps not - though it's definitely being implied! What we can take from this though is that the way she uses imperatives - COME you spirits - shows just how demanding and powerful she sees herself.
stop up the access and passage to remorse
Here, Lady Macbeth is asking the spirits to stop her from feeling any regret. Is this a spell that lasts for most of the play but is cancelled by the end, when she finally kills herself?
stop up the access and passage to remorse
Here, Lady Macbeth is asking the spirits to stop her from feeling any regret. Is this a spell that lasts for most of the play but is cancelled by the end, when she finally kills herself?
Unsex me here
Important note: she is NOT asking to be made more masculine, as masculine codes of loyalty would have stopped her from being able to kill Duncan. Here, she asks to be without gender, so she has all gender expectations removed entirely.
Unsex me here
Important note: she is NOT asking to be made more masculine, as masculine codes of loyalty would have stopped her from being able to kill Duncan. Here, she asks to be without gender, so she has all gender expectations removed entirely.
Witches: Thou shalt be king hereafter / Macbeth: King that shalt be / Lady Macbeth: Greater than both by the all hail hereafter
The witches say that Macbeth will be king "hereafter" but Macbeth gets the quote wrong when he writes to his wife. Then, when she greets him, she quotes the witches correctly. Does this suggest she's a witch? Quite possibly, though Shakespeare doesn't really do much with it if she is one, so it's a bit of a misdirect.
Witches: Thou shalt be king hereafter / Macbeth: King that shalt be / Lady Macbeth: Greater than both by the all hail hereafter
The witches say that Macbeth will be king "hereafter" but Macbeth gets the quote wrong when he writes to his wife. Then, when she greets him, she quotes the witches correctly. Does this suggest she's a witch? Quite possibly, though Shakespeare doesn't really do much with it if she is one, so it's a bit of a misdirect.
O, never / Shall sun that morrow see!
Macbeth says that Duncan will be leaving in the morning, Lady Macbeth says that he'll never see the morning! This line is proof that Macbeth had no intention of murdering Duncan that night - and that it was Lady Macbeth's idea.
O, never / Shall sun that morrow see!
Macbeth says that Duncan will be leaving in the morning, Lady Macbeth says that he'll never see the morning! This line is proof that Macbeth had no intention of murdering Duncan that night - and that it was Lady Macbeth's idea.
Look like th’ innocent flower / but be the serpent under it
Here, she's teaching her husband how to lie - which was considered to be a more feminine and less masculine act; men were supposed to be tied to their words while women were capable of manipulation. But this line also references the story of Adam and Eve which is a story with a number of key parallels to Macbeth.
Look like th’ innocent flower / but be the serpent under it
Here, she's teaching her husband how to lie - which was considered to be a more feminine and less masculine act; men were supposed to be tied to their words while women were capable of manipulation. But this line also references the story of Adam and Eve which is a story with a number of key parallels to Macbeth.
What beast was't, then, / That made you break this enterprise to me?
This is just a clear piece of gaslighting - Macbeth didn't break this enterprise to her, she had the idea of killing Duncan. She's putting words into his mouth as a way of applying pressure on him.
What beast was't, then, / That made you break this enterprise to me?
This is just a clear piece of gaslighting - Macbeth didn't break this enterprise to her, she had the idea of killing Duncan. She's putting words into his mouth as a way of applying pressure on him.
These deeds must not be thought / After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
Really nice piece of foresight here from Lady Macbeth, though she didn't take into account the fact that some deeds are so horrific they will be thought of whether you like it or not.
These deeds must not be thought / After these ways; so, it will make us mad.
Really nice piece of foresight here from Lady Macbeth, though she didn't take into account the fact that some deeds are so horrific they will be thought of whether you like it or not.
My hands are of your colour; but I shame / To wear a heart so white.
One of many references to blood on hands here, though here Lady Macbeth is making it clear that although she has blood on her hands she won't pretend that he heart is white. This is basically her saying that she'll accept what they've done; her heart is no longer white and pure, and she will accept it.
My hands are of your colour; but I shame / To wear a heart so white.
One of many references to blood on hands here, though here Lady Macbeth is making it clear that although she has blood on her hands she won't pretend that he heart is white. This is basically her saying that she'll accept what they've done; her heart is no longer white and pure, and she will accept it.
Nought's had, all's spent, / Where our desire is got without content: / 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy / Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
The only four lines in play that come prior to her sleepwalking scene where she expresses any dissatisfaction at what they've done. Here, however, she doesn't regret it so much as she's angry that they're not happy and doesn't feel safe.
Nought's had, all's spent, / Where our desire is got without content: / 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy / Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.
The only four lines in play that come prior to her sleepwalking scene where she expresses any dissatisfaction at what they've done. Here, however, she doesn't regret it so much as she's angry that they're not happy and doesn't feel safe.
This is the very painting of your fear: / This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, Led you to Duncan. / Shame itself!
Here she's angrily telling off Macbeth for saying he sees Banquo's ghost. She compares it to the dagger he says he saw before he killed Duncan and claims they're all a part of Macbeth's unstable mental state. She's basically telling him he should be ashamed to be so weak-minded.
This is the very painting of your fear: / This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, Led you to Duncan. / Shame itself!
Here she's angrily telling off Macbeth for saying he sees Banquo's ghost. She compares it to the dagger he says he saw before he killed Duncan and claims they're all a part of Macbeth's unstable mental state. She's basically telling him he should be ashamed to be so weak-minded.
I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse; / Stand not upon the order of your going, / But go at once.
At the end of the banquet scene, where Banquo's ghost visits Macbeth, she tells all the other Lords to go home. "Go at once," she says, which confirms that she feels no discomfort ordering anyone around - so far she's ordered spirits around, Macbeth around, and now the rest of the Scottish nobility as well.
I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse; / Stand not upon the order of your going, / But go at once.
At the end of the banquet scene, where Banquo's ghost visits Macbeth, she tells all the other Lords to go home. "Go at once," she says, which confirms that she feels no discomfort ordering anyone around - so far she's ordered spirits around, Macbeth around, and now the rest of the Scottish nobility as well.
Out, damned spot! out, I say!
However, despite being able to order everyone else around, Lady Macbeth discovers that she can't order away her own guilt - she can control the rest of the world, but not herself. Her blood stained hands will remain regardless of how much she demands that they be clean.
Out, damned spot! out, I say!
However, despite being able to order everyone else around, Lady Macbeth discovers that she can't order away her own guilt - she can control the rest of the world, but not herself. Her blood stained hands will remain regardless of how much she demands that they be clean.
What, will these hands ne'er be clean? / Here's the smell of the blood still: all the / perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
These images continue the theme of blood-stained hands and highlight that Lady Macbeth cannot order away her own guilt. It is important to note, however, that the only scene in which we see Lady Macbeth feeling guilt comes while she is asleep. Perhaps this is a reference to her subconscious dreamworld where she is forced to face that which her conscious self cannot.
What, will these hands ne'er be clean? / Here's the smell of the blood still: all the / perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.
These images continue the theme of blood-stained hands and highlight that Lady Macbeth cannot order away her own guilt. It is important to note, however, that the only scene in which we see Lady Macbeth feeling guilt comes while she is asleep. Perhaps this is a reference to her subconscious dreamworld where she is forced to face that which her conscious self cannot.
A cry of women within / SEYTON: The queen, my lord, is dead.
A lot of people claim that the fact Seyton sounds a lot like Satan is a coincidence, but that seems a stretch for a writer as skilled as Shakespeare. Macbeth says his name three times before he comes on stage, and he's the only servant who gets given a name... and his name sounds a LOT like Satan! It is also Satan - sorry Seyton - who discovers Lady Macbeth's body. Though this isn't proof of anything, there would have been audience members who left wondering whether Seyton himself was involved in Lady Mabeth's death.
A cry of women within / SEYTON: The queen, my lord, is dead.
A lot of people claim that the fact Seyton sounds a lot like Satan is a coincidence, but that seems a stretch for a writer as skilled as Shakespeare. Macbeth says his name three times before he comes on stage, and he's the only servant who gets given a name... and his name sounds a LOT like Satan! It is also Satan - sorry Seyton - who discovers Lady Macbeth's body. Though this isn't proof of anything, there would have been audience members who left wondering whether Seyton himself was involved in Lady Mabeth's death.
MALCOLM: ...(Macbeth's) fiend-like queen, / Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands / Took off her life
The proof of Lady Macbeth's suicide is saved until the final speech in the play where Malcolm mentions it in passing. The reference to the "violent hands" makes it pretty clear that she didn't throw herself off any castle battlements, however, and it's definitely the case that he wouldn't be launching an enquiry into how she really died. The truth is that Shakespeare leaves the real cause of Lady Macbeth's death a little bit open - she could have killed herself, either as a result of finally feeling guilt or simply because she knew that Macbeth would lose and she wasn't prepared to be captured by the English; or she could have been killed by Seyton and his minions... either way, and her death wasn't very well covered in the play. She goes from ordering the other Scottish nobility to go home at the end of Act 3 to so anxious she's ready for suicide in Act 5 with NO character arc at all. Why did Shakespeare leave one of literature's biggest turnarounds to happen off-stage? Who knows...
MALCOLM: ...(Macbeth's) fiend-like queen, / Who, as 'tis thought, by self and violent hands / Took off her life
The proof of Lady Macbeth's suicide is saved until the final speech in the play where Malcolm mentions it in passing. The reference to the "violent hands" makes it pretty clear that she didn't throw herself off any castle battlements, however, and it's definitely the case that he wouldn't be launching an enquiry into how she really died. The truth is that Shakespeare leaves the real cause of Lady Macbeth's death a little bit open - she could have killed herself, either as a result of finally feeling guilt or simply because she knew that Macbeth would lose and she wasn't prepared to be captured by the English; or she could have been killed by Seyton and his minions... either way, and her death wasn't very well covered in the play. She goes from ordering the other Scottish nobility to go home at the end of Act 3 to so anxious she's ready for suicide in Act 5 with NO character arc at all. Why did Shakespeare leave one of literature's biggest turnarounds to happen off-stage? Who knows...
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