| “Glamis thou art, Cawdor, and shalt be / What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature” |
Lady Macbeth |
Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 14 - 15 |
After reading the letter from her husband (which recounts the witches’ prophecy), Lady Macbeth’s ambitious and evil thoughts immediately turn to killing the king. She knows Macbeth very well and is sure that he lacks the nerve to murder Duncan |
| “look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under it” |
Lady Macbeth’s advice to Macbeth |
Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 64 - 65 |
Deception comes naturally to Lady Macbeth, who dominates her morally weak husband and persuades him to act falsely. Her determined tone reflects her fierce desire to become Queen of Scotland no matter what treachery is necessary |
| “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, / Till thou applaud the deed” |
Macbeth to Lady Macbeth |
Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 47 - 48 |
Lady Macbeth’s relationship with her husband changes significantly over the course of the play. |