A few thoughts on her soliloquy in Scene 5.1) This is the audience’s first encounter with LM. She is on her own territory and at ‘home’ yet is clearly behaving in a furtive manner and speaking obliquely underlining the dangerous and treasonous nature of her thoughts. Does this potentially anticipate the mental breakdown represented in Act Five Scene One? Remember she is even speaking euphemistically by herself and to herself.2) The use of the soliloquy grants the audience a very intimate knowledge of a character. When this character is behaving criminally, then we may feel complicit with the character. This heightens the dramatic tension and makes underlines an uneasy sense of irony for the audience knows far more about the real motivations of the character than the other characters on stage. Our privileged knowledge therefore creates a sense of dramatic irony.3) Lady Macbeth has received a letter from her husband even though he is on his way home and arrives shortly after the ‘unsex me here’ part of her speech is finished. Why does Macbeth send such an informative letter ahead and what does this signify about the nature of their relationship? It is surely clear that their marriage is a passionate and intimate union and that Macbeth depends on his wife. This dependence could be exploited by his wife as she recognises the contrast between the public persona of the lethal warrior on the battlefield and the very human and affectionate man in private. ‘My dearest partner in greatness.’ Macbeth’s endearment communicates affection, an unusual sense of equality ( for the time) and teases her perhaps with the implied promise of ‘greatness’ linking surely to a regal role.4) The intensity and recklessness of Lady Macbeth is demonstrated in this scene. Look at the rapidity with which her knowledge of the witches’ predictions becomes transformed into a vision of treasonous murder. Lady Macbeth refers to the ‘nearest way’ obliquely suggesting her clear awareness of the immorality of her secret desire. Yet her reckless haste will destroy her because there is no awareness of the spiritual or psychological consequences of such a murderous betrayal: not only of their patron ( Duncan) but also of their own humanity.
5) Think about the manner in which an an actress may address the invisible ‘spirits’ and if her tone is defiant and arrogant or more pleading and uncertain. It definitely feels horrifying that Lady Macbeth asks to be transformed into a man in order to commit murder. It shows how femininity is perceived as weakness; masculinity in this world is linked to brutality and lack of humanity. Yet the mention of the noun ‘remorse’ in her speech does give the audience a sense that Lady Macbeth does possess a conscience despite her disturbing bravado. This remorse will eventually unsettle her to the point of self- destruction in Act Five. Consequences matter ; maybe the bravado indicates immaturity or even unresolved grief becoming disfigured into something malign.
6) This grief probably emanates from the childless state of Lady Macbeth in her marriage. She has given her beloved husband no surviving heir which is why Macbeth is so jealous of the witches’ prediction for Banquo . We might also recognise why the persistent taunts about being a ‘man’ are so effective when delivered to her husband. Potency and impotency are very important themes in the play. Think about how the power shifts in their marriage lead to their estrangement.