A Breakdown of Act 1 Scene 5

Play casting so far for this scene:

Lee: Macbeth

Chantelle: Lady Macbeth

At the beginning of the scene Macbeth is talking to himself, questioning whether there will be any consequences after Duncan is murdered. Macbeth's beginning speech also sees him talking about the ideas of Karma and if it is true about what goes around comes around- "...this even handed justice..."-Line 10. Macbeth talks of Duncan's treatment to him always being hospitable and trustworthy, showing that he is having doubt in going through with the deed of killing him.

Lady Macbeth then enters and questions Macbeth on his reason for leaving the dinner table early. Macbeth clearly nervous about everything tells his wife that he does not want to go through with the plans they talked about previously. Macbeth wants to bathe in his glory rather than do the act.

Lady Macbeth then asks Macbeth if he was drunk when he promised to kill Duncan, she then comments on his appearance- "To look so green and pale"-Line 37, she states that Macbeth looks overhung,which can explain why he is being unclear and unsure now. Lady Macbeth uses emotional tactics- "Such I account thy love"- Line 39, she is asking Macbeth if this is the way he shows his love for her. Lady Macbeth tries to understand her husbands reason for backing out- "Art thou afeard?"

Lady Macbeth asks her husband if he will act on his promises- "To be the same in thine act and valour."

She also talks of gaining the King's crown- "Ornament of life"- Line 42

Lady Macbeth ends her long plea with Macbeth- "Like the poor cat i'th' adage"- Line 45, She is asking Macbeth if he is not willing to work for the things he wants. Is he afraid of doing something he wants do and that he will have to live with himself knowing that he did not do what he needed to.

Macbeth then asks for his wife to be quiet and that he cannot be more than a man because that would be impossible. Lady Macbeth then replies "Break this enterprise to me?" asking if Macbeth will break his promises to her.

Lady Macbeth's role in the scene is clear as she has an aim throughout that never changes. She has a more masculine role in this scene and has many good arguments on her side-

"Nor time, nor place...both"- The time and place are all right but you still insist that you cannot do this.

In the scene there is references stating that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have been thinking about this plan for a while.

Lady Macbeth still comments on her husbands promises to her and says- "...And dash'd the brains out, had I sworn as you have done this," She would kill her own baby if she promised Macbeth she would. "We fail?"- Lady Macbeth is definitely not prepared to fail. Lady Macbeth on Chamberlains- "Will I with wine and wassail to convince, that memory, the warder of the brain," She will mess up the chamberlains heads and make their memory fuzzy and un tangable, showing that they will also be out of action. The Chamberlains would bear the guilt of the murder as they would not remember what happened.

Macbeth then replies that he thinks his wife is unbelievable, also mentioning bringing male heirs to the throne- "Bring forth men-children only."

Lady Macbeth-"Who dares receive it other"- Explaining to Macbeth that no one would dare to challenge the pair, and that they will show the most distress to Duncan's death (false distress).

Macbeth ends the scene agreeing to his wife's statements and suggestions made all the way through this scene.