Macbeth

“Macbeth” Act 1 Scene 5
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Q1

I think that Shakespeare chose to use a letter as Macbeth’s way of informing his wife as it gives the reader a greater understanding of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. They had no secrets between themselves and she is his ‘dearest partner of greatness. It is also preparing Lady Macbeth for his return.

Q2

Lady Macbeth knows that he will become king as his letter promises her but she fears that he will not be able to fulfil his duties. Also he will break his promise to his wife. She fears his nature as he is not full of the natural compassion characteristics of a human being. She knows that she will have to help Macbeth and play a part in the king’s death.
Act 1 Scene 4 near the end, Macbeth says ‘The Prince of Cumberland that is a step on which I must fall down, or else overleap.’
He then goes on to say that he doesn’t want to see what he is to do ‘the eye wink at the hand. Yet let that be, which the eye fears when it is done to see.’
In Act 1 Scene 3, Line 138/139 says his thought of murder yet is but fantastical, shakes so my single state of man that function.

Q3

Lady Macbeth is intending to kill the king but she has to persuade her husband to help in his killing. She wants Macbeth to be king and will do anything to get this.

Q4

Shakespeare uses a lot of imagery to present Lady Macbeth as evil. She calls upon the spirits and asks them to unsex her and to take away everything that makes her a woman. This can also take the reader back to when Macbeth first met the witches they appear to be neither sex at first as in act 1 scene3 Macbeth asks the witches ‘speak if you can : what are you?’
Lady Macbeth also asks to be fill me from crown to the toe top full to direst cruelty. She wants her blood to be thickened. She asks the murdering ministers who are agents of evil to take the bitter milk from her women breasts.

Q5

Macbeth is saying that we will speak further but his wife...