Macbeth: Lady Macbeth's Concerns and Responses

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'Nought's had, all's spent'?

What emotion does Macbeth convey when he describes his mind as 'full of scorpions'?

Why does Macbeth suggest that it is 'safer to be that which we destroy'?

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'Using those thoughts which should indeed have died'?

What is Lady Macbeth's advice to Macbeth about his demeanor at the banquet?

What psychological state does Macbeth suggest when he says 'But let the frame of things disjoint'?

What does Macbeth indicate by stating 'Duncan is in his grave'?

What does Lady Macbeth imply when she tells Macbeth to 'Come on; gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks'?

What does Macbeth mean by 'Ere the bat hath flown his cloistered flight'?

What is the significance of Macbeth wanting to keep Lady Macbeth 'innocent of the knowledge'?

Lady Macbeth's Concerns

Banquo, a threat to Macbeth's ambition, is still alive, and returning to court tonight.
Lady Macbeth worries about Macbeth's distress.
Macbeth's guilt and anxiety are evident in his thoughts of death, dreams, and the lingering threat of Banquo.
Macbeth feels the act of regicide is unremedied
Macbeth realizes that killing Duncan, although effective has not eradicated the threat
Macbeth is troubled by guilt and foresees additional suffering from lingering fears of Banquo.

Macbeth's Response to Lady Macbeth

Macbeth, acknowledging the threat Banquo poses, devises a plan to eliminate him.
Macbeth wants Lady Macbeth to remain cheerful and not show their inner turmoil.
Macbeth emphasizes the necessity of a cunning facade to conceal their guilt and ambition from their subjects and guests
Macbeth desires to achieve a comforting and deceptive appearance for their upcoming guests
Macbeth's state of mind is described as being full of worry about Banquo.
Macbeth insists that the murder must be committed before the arrival of dawn, while the natural order is still in darkness.

The Plot to Kill Banquo

Macbeth plans another murder, this time targeting Banquo and his son Fleance.
Lady Macbeth assures Macbeth that killing Banquo is achievable; yet still she is apprehensive.
Macbeth argues that Banquo and Fleance are vulnerable targets.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth agree to secrecy and concealment of their schemes.

Setting and Atmosphere

The dialogue demonstrates a sense of urgency and the impending nature of the plot.
The play builds a dark tone with imagery of night and shadows, reflecting the characters' inner anxieties.
The imagery of night highlights the morally corrupt state of nature and the characters.
References to the natural world (e.g., crows, beetles, and darkness) add to the foreboding atmosphere.

Explore Lady Macbeth's worries about Banquo's threat and Macbeth's guilt after Duncan's murder. Understand Macbeth's plans to eliminate Banquo and the couple's efforts to maintain a façade of normalcy. This quiz delves into the psychological complexities of ambition and fear in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.