Okay, so.. I am a huge Shakespeare fan; Macbeth being one of my all time favourite pieces of literature to ever exist! Since quitting teaching, I obnoxiously don't talk about it all day every day anymore but my passion will NEVER fade. Shakespeare's Macbeth is one of the most profound tragedies ever written, but at the heart of its dark drama stands a character whose ambition, strength, and ultimate downfall captivate me like no other: Lady Macbeth. What a Queen. Often seen as the driving force behind Macbeth’s descent into murder and madness, her words echo through time, full of ambition, manipulation, guilt, and ultimately, self-destruction. She is beyond fascinating, and what I love the most about her is that you can learn something new about her each time you read the play.
As we celebrate Shakespeare Day, I thought it would be fitting to explore some of Lady Macbeth's most powerful quotes; the ones I love to bits; those lines that not only define her as a character, but also serve as a lens into the complexities of human nature. From her cold resolve to her unraveling guilt, her quotes offer a glimpse into a psyche that is as captivating as it is tragic.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of my favourite Lady Macbeth quotes, each one offering a unique insight into her character and the themes that still resonate today. I'm excited!!
Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't.
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The one we all know. One of Lady Macbeth’s most iconic lines! This quote speaks to her cunning nature and ruthless ambition. She knows how to play the game well doesn't she...to appear sweet and welcoming on the surface while hiding a more dangerous, manipulative side beneath her. The "serpent" is also a powerful symbol, drawing on the Biblical story of Eve, further emphasising her unrelenting desire for control. Her manipulation and control over Maceth is so calculative and brutal and it's so fascinating to read her lines. I went to watch this at The Globe and hearing her lines spoken aloud really emphasised her character and how bold this lines needed to be spoken. I was in absolute awe. Check out my full blog post about my trip here.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say!
One of my absolute faves because by the time Lady Macbeth speaks this line, the guilt from Duncan’s murder has totally consumed her...and we haven't seen her in Act 4 at all so this comes as a MASSIVE shock because the last time we saw her she was yelling at Macbeth, busy emasculating him. What was once a cold, calculated act has now turned into an unshakable stain on her conscience. This quote is often cited as the pinnacle of Lady Macbeth’s downfall; she is trapped by her own actions, and no matter how much she tries to scrub away the blood, she cannot escape her guilt. It’s a haunting, vivid portrayal of how our past actions can haunt us long after they are done.
Screw Your Courage to the Sticking-Place, and We’ll Not Fail.
This one always gives me the chills. It's one of Lady Macbeth’s most significant lines, encapsulating her manipulation, boldness, and her drive to push Macbeth toward committing the murder of King Duncan. Spoken in the super tense moments before the murder, it serves as a rallying cry, one that presses Macbeth to shed his doubts and fully embrace the violent path she has planned out for them. FUN FACT: she’s telling Macbeth to tighten his courage like a screw turned into place, firm and unshakable. The "sticking-place" refers to a part of a crossbow where tension is held at its maximum strength, so it creates an image of something locked and ready to fire.
Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts
No wonder she can be argued the fourth witch of the play. This line is one of the most chilling and powerful moments spoken by Lady Macbeth as she prepares herself for the dark deeds she and her husband are about to commit. It's a raw, ruthless expression of her ambition; we are told that she will do anything for power and her moral compass is simply not in tact. Her willingness to forsake any shred of humanity, and her desire to wield power without the constraints of morality is so clear here and this is when, to me, she becomes one of THE most fascinating characters to ever exist. This invocation marks a key moment in her character’s journey and foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold when the darkness pours over Scotland.
Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?
This quotes makes me howl every time. Brutal. It's a cutting moment of sheer mockery and manipulation basically. Lady Macbeth is at her sharpest, most dangerous, and most persuasive self here. She’s confronting Macbeth just as he begins to waver in his decision to murder King Duncan. With ruthless precision, she dismantles his hesitation and uses his own ambition against him.
Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?
Talk about a changed character. This line is whispered by a broken Lady Macbeth, deep into her descent into madness. Once the mastermind behind a murder plot, she is now lost in the guilt and horror of what she and her husband have done. Spoken during her famous sleepwalking scene, this quote is one of the most chilling glimpses into a mind unraveling under the weight of bloodshed and regret. It just adds to the complexity of her character, one that is a joy to unravel and study time and time again.
Hope you enjoyed! If you love Shakespeare, then you need to check out my literary wax melts. With stunning quotes embellished into the wax from Shakespeare's works, they are the perfect book gift. Which quote is your favourite?
Lottie x
