Lady Macbeth's Language in Act 1 Scene 5

Lady Macbeth's Language in Act 1 Scene 5

The vastness of the transformations that have besieged the character

Lady Macbeth from Act 1 Scene 5 and Act 5 Scene 1 are irrefutable to

even the most obstinate. These denatures occur both in her physical

appearance and in her psychological make up, interfering greatly with

her speech and perception. The playwright utilises the protagonist to

depict the consequences of a conscience that carries a burden far

greater than it can bear. Lady Macbeth's character sways from that of

strength and stability, to one of weakness and instability. From a

calculated murderess, to a hallucinating lunatic.

In Act 1 Scene 5, the commencing lines of her initial soliloquy not

only echo in rhythm to the 'witches' omen, but are proclaimed with

great conviction of her belief in these predictions. Her personal

additions to the quotations of the 'weird sisters' are ample evidence

of her burning ambition: 'Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be/

what thou art promis'd'. More over, her speech is recited in blank

verse, coinciding with a formidable rhythm of iambic pentameters,

emphasising not only her confidence and sense of purpose, but also the

standard of education she has attained, thus giving insight in to her

background as one of wealth, power and great intellect. This also

portrays that she is one who ponders upon and comprehends the entire

depth of her language, and thus shows her ability to plan. 'That I may

pour my spirits in thine ear', reflects great thought, as her desire

is to 'pour' her strategies and ambitions in to the 'ear' of her

husband and thus to persuade him to her line of perception.

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...ngling forces of the unknown into the

play, Shakespeare adds an extent of exorcism and allows way for the

possibility of possession, for in such a case, her voice would merely

be a means of out put for the possessing spirit, thus satisfying the

reason for such alteration. Her beckoning for the spirits to 'unsex'

her, and to grant her the strength and stability of man had, without

doubt, been unheard, for in end her sensitivity and weakness, all of

which are characteristics of the feminine group had consequated her

insanity, for she remained a lady. Her load had been one of great

immensity, and exceeded her capacity and thus it crumbled upon her.

Lady Macbeths language in Act 1 Scene 5, and Act 5 scene 1 explicitly

reveal the enormity of the alterations that have plagued her, thus

adding further peril to this dark tale.