Lady Macbeth and Macbeth relationship

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth relationship

1. "Dearest partner of greatness"

   • superlative "dearest" = shows strength of affection
   • "Partner"= Equality in marriage
     • Oppose social hierarchies at time
       • Men dominant
         • Women support husband
   • "Greatness" = show understanding of wife
     • M's "greatness" = enhance LM social status

2. Macbeth wishes to "speak further" but is interrupted my LM 'look up clear"

   • LM responds "leave the rest to [her]"
     • "Leave" = LM take charge
   • M being interrupted
     • Shows LM dominance

3. "look[ing] like h'innocent flower, But be serpent underneath"

   • Imperative verb "look"
     • LM dominant in relation
       • Defy gender roles
   • "Flower"
     • LM feminize LM
       • Flower = females
       • Asking M to look innocent
         • Not suspected for murder
   • Simile uses word "serpent"
     • Audience recall betray of Adam and Eve

4. Later in play LM "when [Macbeth] durst do, then [he is] a man"

   • M need prove he is man for regicide

5. Film Versions

   • RSC Phillip Casson
     • Judi Dench
       • Manipulative LM
         • LM kissing M when asking to commit regicide
           • Using sex = Manipulate M
   • Roman Polanski
     • Relationship shown
       • Dainty/affectionate/adoring
         • Francesca Annis
           • Feminine approach about murder to M
             • Seduce M with feminine manner

6. Shakespeare

   • Pronouns
     • Show couple's closeness
     • M calls LM "thou" = informal
       • Intimacy in marriage
   • Line sharing
     • Iambic pentameter
       • Suggest intimate/natural relation