Lady Macbeth - Act 1

Lady Macbeth - Act 1

1. "my dearest partner of greatness" (Macbeth in a letter - S5)

   • seen as an equal by husband + holds some power
   • Very unusual in those times

2. "yet do I fear thy nature, it is too full o'th'milk of human kindness" (S5)

   • she is surprisingly critical of Macbeth; she fears he cannot achieve his potential
   • Milk has connotations of innocence + childhood

3. "Come you spirits [....] unsex me here [....] take my milk for gall" (S5)

   • asking to replace her milk with poison, a disregard for her femininity + maternal instincts (women are made weak by them) - highly shocking to audience
   • Linking to themes of power + ambition
   • gall is a bitter poison

4. "Look like th'innocent flower, but be the serpent under't" (S5)

   • the snake links to the devil + the theme of deception
   • Lady Macbeth warns Macbeth to appear welcoming but be a poisonous serpent underneath it - LM is a cunning/scheming woman
   • Simile and juxtaposing ideas

5. "Pall thee in the dunnest smoke of Hell" (S5)