Questions and Answers
What describes Lady Macbeth's character?
How does Lady Macbeth handle her guilt?
She becomes unable to sleep and mentally unstable, eventually dying in tragic circumstances.
What ambition drives Lady Macbeth?
Her desire to become Queen.
How does Lady Macbeth appear to others?
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How does Lady Macbeth's conscience develop?
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What is the social context of Lady Macbeth's character?
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Match the terms to their definitions regarding Lady Macbeth:
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Study Notes
Lady Macbeth's Ambition
- Lady Macbeth exhibits greater ambition and ruthlessness than Macbeth, initiating plans to seize power.
- She influences Macbeth's decisions, convincing him to commit regicide as part of their ascent.
Lady Macbeth's Downfall
- Initially suppresses guilt but eventually succumbs to psychological torment, resulting in insomnia and mental instability.
- Her tragic end is marked by isolation and madness, culminating in her death.
Determination and Manipulation
- Displays unwavering determination, driving Macbeth to pursue the throne despite his hesitations.
- Quote analysis reveals her perception that Macbeth lacks the necessary cruelty for ambition and must be spurred to action.
Cunning Nature
- Portrays an image of the perfect wife, using deception to manipulate Macbeth into murdering Duncan.
- Flattery and hospitality serve as tools to ensure Duncan's trust, masking her sinister intentions.
Guilt and Conscience
- Transitions from a conscience-free character to one engulfed by guilt and remorse, leading to a breakdown.
- Sleepwalking scene highlights her fixation on bloodstains and her inability to escape past actions, indicating overwhelming guilt.
Social and Historical Context
- Reflects the limited status of women in Shakespeare's era, where they were seen as property with no autonomy.
- Lady Macbeth's characterized ambition challenges gender norms; originally played by a male actor, emphasizing her masculine traits and agency.
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Description
Explore the complexities of Lady Macbeth's character in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. This flashcard quiz examines her ambition, influence over Macbeth, and her eventual descent into madness. Test your understanding of one of literature's most notorious female characters.
