The idea that Macbeth is made into a martyr by Lady Macbeth’s evil control, much like Adam is a victim of Eve’s evil is an interesting one, and moves from ‘understanding’ to ‘thoughtful’. This would also have reminded the audience about the theme of Christianity from the story of Adam and Eve, where Eve is more evil than Adam as she eats the forbidden fruit, which would’ve highlighted the fact that Lady Macbeth is more evil than Macbeth himself. This shows at least ‘clear understanding’ so it is awarded Level 4 AO3. It scores marks because it is still linked to an interpretation, that Shakespeare has constructed Lady Macbeth as a warning about the dangers of female power and influence. The Jacobean audience would have seen Lady Macbeth as “ the spur that breaks the sides of his intent ” and suggests that the Macbeths’ relationship shouldn’t have been this loving as it ultimately ended in the heinous, most punishable act of regicide. Therefore, it would have been further evidence to the audience that women shouldn’t be given power as their actions end in regicide. At this stage, it suggests ‘clear understanding’, which is Level 4. links this to the context of Jacobean society. This would have been extremely absurd and shocking to the Jacobean audience as patriarchal society treated males as more powerful than females.Īnalysing a longer quotation by focusing on individual words to explore an interpretation. Shakespeare also employs “ greatness ” for Macbeth to describe his wife which almost puts her at a higher status than himself, who is a warrior and a true soldier. The use of “ partner ” suggests equality between the two individuals, which shows how they are deeply in love. For example, in Macbeth’s letter to Lady Macbeth, he writes to “ my dearest partner in greatness ”. This means that the examiner is already primed to want to award at least Level 5.įirstly, Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as loving but domineering. It also includes the author’s purpose, so it tells the examiner that this is bound to be a ‘thoughtful’ answer.

Shakespeare presents the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as a loving but domineering relationship in order to criticise the Jacobean patriarchal society.Īlthough just a sentence long, this is a three part thesis statement, setting out what A.

I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, The sleeping and the deadĪre but as pictures. They must lie there: go carry them, and smear Why did you bring these daggers from the place? Go get some water,Īnd wash this filthy witness from your hand. You do unbend your noble strength to think Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, “Glamis hath murder’d sleep, and therefore Cawdor Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house: The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,īalm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care, Macbeth does murder sleep,”-the innocent sleep Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!

Lady macbeth sleep no more