MACBETH – Lady Macbeth’s development
Act 1, Scene 5: Macbeth’s Letter Master Plotter
Macbeth sends her a letter telling her of the witches’ prophecy.
After reading Macbeth’s letter, she is immediately concerned that he doesn’t have the mettle to
seize the crown.
‘Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the’ milk of human kindness’. (ACT 1, Scene 5: 15-16)
She wants him home, so
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valor of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round… (Act 1, Scene 5: 25-6)
She knows the best way of achieving this goal is to kill Duncan. When the messenger arrives at
their castle, she calls on evil spirits:
The raven himself is hoarse
That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan
Under my battlements. Come you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here (Act 1, Scene 5: 39-42)
Lady Macbeth advises her husband about how to conduct himself when the king arrives.
Act 1, Scene 7: Duncan’s Murder Manipulator
Macbeth is utterly ridden by doubt. Duncan is his king and guest; and he is a good man. He will
not go through with the plan.
I have no spur
to prick the sides of my intent (Act 1, Scene 7: 25-26)
Lady Macbeth calls him a coward, and repeatedly attacks his masculinity.
Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And lie a coward in thine own esteem
Letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon ‘I would’
Like the poor cat i’ th’ adage? (Act 1, Scene 7: 41-45)
When you durst do it, then you were a man (Act 1, Scene 7: 49)
She shocks Macbeth into action by saying that, had she sworn to kill her child, she would dash its
brains against a wall rather than break her oath.
She rejects the idea that they could fail, and then plans Duncan’s assassination.
