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In the Jacobean time, a crime considered to be heinous was that of regicide. (AO3) (Macbeth)

“Our duties are to the throne and state, children and servants”. This is important as this quote shows part of Macbeth’s character and standards at the start of the play. As the play progresses we watch Macbeth break every aspect of this quote, and with it we see a man’s inner destruction.  This quote is a statement of Macbeth’s supposed personal integrity.

In the same scene Macbeth acknowledges: “let not light see my black and deep desires”. This shows his duplicity and the audience is aware even more so of Macbeth’s contrasting character and we see his ambition growing. However this also shows Macbeth’s conscience.

This play is a play about inner turmoil.

Key Scene Act 1 Scene 5

Lady Macbeth: “I fear thy nature [Macbeth] it is too full o’th’ milk of human kindness”.

LM is suggesting that M is too nice a person to act on the Witches’ prophecy. This is an insight/ introduction into LM’s brutal and ruthless character. Furthermore her strong character with strong views is the first hint that she is an atypical Jacobean woman, and in being so strong and opinionated is an atypical hero.

Milk is an important symbol of motherhood/ kindness/ goodness

From the very moment LM reads the letter and learn of the prophecy she is set to action and determined that M become King (and in doing so LM become Queen).

“the raven himself is hoarse” Shakespeare uses animal imagery, often bird imagery, to associate specific characters with specific qualities.  Lady Macbeth sees a raven and so Shakespeare associates her to a raven. Just as a raven is associated with death, evil and is an uninviting and feared bird so Lady Macbeth is being associated with evil and death. Lm is evoking the supernatural (Come you spirits)

“unsex me here” LM is pleading with the supernatural element to remove her femininity from her. She wishes to be removed from her feminine qualities (nurturing, caring, life giving) in order to kill Duncan.