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Lady Macbeth

1. LM calls on "spirits" to "unsex [her] here"

   • Imperative verb "unsex"
     • LM masculine character = way she talks
       • Contrast with gender assumptions
         • Men more dictoral than women
     • LM wants to be stripped from womanly emotions (compassion)
       • Wants to be more masculine/sinister
     • S creates NEOLOGISM = more powerful

2. LM demands "spirits" to "take [her] milk for gall"

   • Use "gall" toxify not nuture
     • Opposite of what women ought to do
   • Anthesis
     • "milk"
       • life, purity, nurturing
     • "gall"
       • death /bitterness
   • Show LM wants to be masculine
     • Exchange womanly "breast" for a man's chest
       • LM wants tough like man
         • Without "compunctious visting's of nature"
           • Prevents her attaining "golden round"
   • Later in play LM murderous
     • "smile" while "dash[ing] the brains out" of a baby

3. "pour [her] spirits in [Macbeth's] ear"

   • "pour"
     • poisonous thoughts
       • Further in play = M influenced by LM
     • Metaphorical verb
       • Show's LM manipulative
   • "spirits"
     • witchery and magic
       • Vivid/frightening for 11th century audience
       • Unatural
   • "pour[ing] spirits"
     • LM willing sacrifice body/soul
       • For husband become King

4. FILM VERSIONS

   • Philip Casson (RSC)
     • LM manipulative/cunning
       • Shown through Judi Dench clothing
         • Black = evilness
       • Hair covered
         • Wants to be more masculine
   • Roman Polanski
     • Feminine side of LM
       • First seen with beauttiful hair
         • Hair = Femininity
     • Leaves out pact with devil