Lady Macbeth's feelings of guilt in ‘Macbeth’
I can explore how Lady Macbeth’s feelings of guilt change over the course of ‘Macbeth’.
Lady Macbeth's feelings of guilt in ‘Macbeth’
I can explore how Lady Macbeth’s feelings of guilt change over the course of ‘Macbeth’.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Lady Macbeth appears to be suffering from a psychological disorder that causes her to sleep-walk
- This psychological disorder could be interpreted as a result of her guilt
- Lady Macbeth's language echoes that of her husband in earlier scenes
- Lady Macbeth's language might be suggesting that there is no salvation for the crimes that she has committed
Common misconception
Lady Macbeth doesn't think guilt is a powerful emotion.
Lady Macbeth acknowledges that guilt can make people 'mad' or 'brainsickly' in 2.2. This is why she tries to reject the emotion.
Keywords
Salvation - In Christianity, salvation means you are delivered from sin and its consequences. The opposite of salvation is damnation.
Guilt - Guilt is an emotion you feel when you have done something bad. Guilt makes you feel worried and unhappy.
Symbol - If something is a symbol, it represents or expressed an idea. In 'Macbeth', blood is a symbol of guilt.
Echoes - If language echoes previous language in a text, it means it is similar. The slight differences help us notice something new.
Foreshadowing - Foreshadowing is a literary device. It gives the reader or audience a hint or indication of what might happen later in the story.
Equipment
You will need access to William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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