Question

What does Lady Macbeth to the maternal image of nuturing child?

Answer 1

Lady Macbeth rejects the maternal image of nurturing a child.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," Lady Macbeth expresses a profound rejection of the maternal image of nurturing a child. In Act 1, Scene 7, she explicitly asks to be unsexed, to rid herself of traditional female qualities like compassion and tenderness. She desires to be filled with cruelty and ambition to support Macbeth's ascension to the throne. Lady Macbeth sees nurturing a child as a weakness that would hinder her ambition and control.

She wishes to become remorseless and unyielding, as illustrated by her famous speech calling on spirits to "take her milk for gall." This vividly conveys her wish to abandon the natural, nurturing instincts associated with motherhood. Her aspiration for power and dominance overrides any inclination towards motherly tenderness, showcasing her disdain for traditional maternal roles in pursuit of the couple's ambitions.

Correct answer: Lady Macbeth rejects the maternal image of nurturing a child.

Answer 2

Lady Macbeth rejects the maternal image of nurturing a child in her pursuit of power and ambition.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Shakespeare's play, Lady Macbeth deviates from the traditional maternal role of nurturing a child as she pursues power and ambition. She rejects the image of a caring mother and views it as a weakness. Lady Macbeth even goes as far as stating that she would have killed her own child rather than break a promise. This behavior showcases her disregard for traditional notions of motherhood and her prioritization of power over nurturing and protecting her child.

1. Rejecting the Maternal Image: Lady Macbeth challenges the conventional role of a mother by actively discarding the nurturing and caring aspects associated with motherhood. She sees these qualities as hindrances to her pursuit of power and ambition.

2. Neglecting her Role as a Mother: Lady Macbeth disregards her responsibility as a mother by prioritizing her desire for power over the well-being of her child. She is willing to sacrifice her maternal instincts for her own ambitions.

3. Prioritizing Power over Nurturing: Lady Macbeth's statement, "I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out," exemplifies her willingness to abandon her maternal instincts in order to further her quest for power. This shocking declaration illustrates her twisted priorities.