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Lady Macbeth Act 1 - Coggle Diagram
Lady Macbeth Act 1
Manipulation
“Look like th' innocent flower, but be the serpent under't.”
Lady Macbeth orders Macbeth to hide his evil intentions behind a false facade of innocence and trust.
The use of the word 'serpent' introduces biblical associations with temptation and evil - Lady Macbeth resembles a figure who encourages Macbeth towards sin.
This establishes deception as a central part of Macbeth's rise to power, foreshadowing his later false friendship with Banquo, and his attempts to conceal his murders.
“Was the hope drunk, wherein you dress'd yourself?”
Lady Macbeth mocks Macbeth's ambition, Shakerspeare implies that his previous confidence was temporary and that he is now too cowardly to act.
Shakespeare demonstrates how Lady Macbeth exploits Macbeth's insecurity about his masculinity, courage and ambition to control his psychological conscience.
Macbeth initially needs Lady Macbeth to influence his decisions to murder, but after Duncan's death he begins making increasingly violent decisions without her, foreshadowing the eventual shift in power between them.
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Power
“Come, you spirits -that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
The use of the harsh, demanding phrase of 'come, you spirits' reveals Lady Macbeth's desperate desires for the strength and ruthlessness she associates with masculinity.
Shakespeare challenges Jacobean expectations of femininity by presenting a woman who actively seeks power rather than obedience.
Her thirst for power influences her involvement in Duncan's murder, but Shakespeare later reverses this power dynamic as Lady Macbeth loses control psychologically.
Gender
“When you durst do it, then you were a man.”
Shakespeare explores the catastrophic consequences of rigid gender expectations, particularly this idea that men must prove themselves through violent masculinity.
Macbeth becomes increasingly ruthless in an attempt to maintain his power and reputation, eventually committing multiple murders even without Lady Macbeth's influence.
Lady Macbeth defines being a “man” through courage and violence, deliberately attacking Macbeth's masculinity.
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