Act I, Scenes iv & v
Answer the following questions in full sentences:
1. How does Lady Macbeth view her husband (particularly in terms of his ambition and strength)?
2. How is Lady Macbeth characterized in this scene?
3. Can you think of any modern day situations which this scene relates to (gender roles, power dynamics, ambition, etc.)?
4. By having Lady Macbeth alone when we first meet her, how does this facilitate Shakespeare's characterization of her?
5. In this scene Lady Macbeth performs her own "spell," calling on the spirits to take away her femininity ("unsex me") - why? What does this say about strength, ambition, and gender roles?
6. Can you think of any modern day situation which this scene relates to (gender roles, power dynamics, ambition, etc.)?