Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters, is often associated with manipulation and deceit. Her desire for power, coupled with her ruthless nature, leads her to employ various tactics to control and manipulate those around her. In this article, we will explore some of Lady Macbeth’s most memorable quotes that showcase her aptitude for manipulation.
From the moment Lady Macbeth is introduced in the play, it becomes evident that she possesses a strong sense of ambition and a willingness to manipulate others to achieve her goals. Her famous quote, “Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t,” perfectly encapsulates her deceptive nature. Lady Macbeth understands the importance of appearing innocent and harmless while secretly plotting and scheming behind the scenes.
Another quote that showcases Lady Macbeth’s manipulative skills is “Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t.” This quote highlights her ability to manipulate not only her own actions but also those of her husband, Macbeth. Lady Macbeth recognizes that in order to accomplish their shared ambitions, they must present a united front and deceive others with their actions and words.
Read these lady macbeth quotes manipulation
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”
“We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail.”
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here.”
“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t.”
“Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t.”
“I have given suck, and know how tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.”
“What cannot you and I perform upon the unguarded Duncan? What not put upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of our great quell?”
“That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold.”
“We will proceed no further in this business.”
“And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely?”
“I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out.”
“Leave all the rest to me.”
“What’s done is done.”
“A little water clears us of this deed.”
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”
“Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?”
“Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.”
“What’s to be done?”
“Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures: ’tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil.”
“I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did you not speak?”
These quotes from Lady Macbeth demonstrate her skillful manipulation and her ability to influence others to achieve her desires. Her cunning tactics and willingness to deceive make her a compelling character and a prime example of the power of manipulation in literature.
