Year 10 English - Macbeth

Language and Character study: Lady Macbeth, Act 1 Sc V

SCENE V. Inverness. Macbeth's castle.

Enter LADY MACBETH, reading a letter

LADY MACBETH

'They met me in the day of success: and I havelearned by the perfectest report, they have more inthem than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desireto question them further, they made themselves air,into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt inthe wonder of it, came missives from the king, whoall-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor;' by which title,before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referredme to the coming on of time, with 'Hail, king thatshalt be!' This have I thought good to deliverthee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thoumightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by beingignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay itto thy heart, and farewell.'Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt beWhat thou art promised: yet do I fear thy nature;It is too full o' the milk of human kindnessTo catch the nearest way: thou wouldst be great;Art not without ambition, but withoutThe illness should attend it: what thou wouldst highly,That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false,And yet wouldst wrongly win: thou'ldst have, great Glamis,That which cries 'Thus thou must do, if thou have it;And that which rather thou dost fear to doThan wishest should be undone.' Hie thee hither,That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;And chastise with the valour of my tongueAll that impedes thee from the golden round,Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seemTo have thee crown'd withal.

1. This part of LM’s speech is reading aloud a letter from Macbeth – why do you think Shakespeare decided to include this? What effect does it have?

2. What does LM fear? Why? What is she exaggerating here?

2. What has Macbeth been promised? Think of two words that describe LM’s mood at this point.

4. What is LM saying she will do to support Macbeth?

3. What does this line suggest about LM’s feelings for Macbeth?

5. LM clearly believes in the supernatural and ‘fate’. Who or what does she mean by this phrase and how important do you think this belief is in her decision making?

Paragraph response

Describe how Lady Macbeth reacts to the news of the witches’ first prophecy to Macbeth. Do you think she reacts in a way every wife/partner would or is this a stereotype?