Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

A key soliloquy in our understanding of Lady Macbeth is that which begins, “The raven himself is hoarse…” (I.v.36-52) Does the content of the soliloquy support the interpretation of Lady Macbeth as a thoroughly and unnaturally cruel, bloodthirsty woman? Do you find evidence for a different interpretation?

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L. Macbeth would like to think she is unusually cruel, especially for a woman. She goes heavy on the dark imagery that will help drive her evil deeds. I always felt that L. Macbeth was trying to hard to look ruthless and evil. She really goes overboard trying to look like a ruthless opportunist. Much later in the play, we get to see her actual fragility and  vulnerabilities. 

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