Act 1, Scene 5

Lady Macbeth reads her husband's letter. She thinks he is too kind. She asks spirits to make her cruel.

This scene in five words

LadyMacbethaskstobeunsexed

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The quotes

5 big quotes in this scene.

Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · gender and manhood · ambition

Lady Macbeth thinks her husband is too kind. She wants to make him hard.

Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · ambition

He wants to be great. But he is not cruel enough. She thinks cruel is good.

Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · gender and manhood · the supernatural · violence

She asks the spirits to take away the woman in her. Then she can be cruel.

Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · the supernatural · guilt · appearance and reality

She asks the night to hide the murder. Her husband asked the stars the same thing.

Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under 't

Lady Macbeth · Act 1, Scene 5 · appearance and reality

Look like a nice flower. Be the snake under it. That is her plan.