“Macbeth”: “I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums.”
In Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth,” the intensity of ambition, guilt, and morality is encapsulated in the haunting words of Lady Macbeth. When she declares, “I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums,” she lays bare the extremity of her resolve and the lengths to which she would go to achieve power. This quote, laden with visceral imagery and profound implications, reveals the tumultuous psychological landscape of both Lady Macbeth and her husband, as well as the broader themes of ambition and gender that permeate the play.
Context and Meaning
This line occurs in Act 1, Scene 7, during a pivotal confrontation between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself. Here, Lady Macbeth chastises her husband for wavering in his resolve to murder King Duncan and seize the throne of Scotland. The quote serves as both a chilling expression of her ruthlessness and a reflection of the expectations placed on masculinity during the Elizabethan era. Lady Macbeth contrasts her fierce determination to commit regicide with her husband’s hesitations, asserting that her love for her child would not prevent her from committing horrific acts if sworn to do so.
The imagery of breastfeeding and infanticide is particularly striking—she evokes the image of a mother willing to tear away her nurturing bond in order to fulfill her ambitions. This juxtaposition of maternal love and brutal ambition underscores her character’s complexity, illustrating her willingness to abandon traditional female virtues in pursuit of power.
Literary Devices and Language
Shakespeare employs several literary devices in this passage that deepen its impact. The stark imagery of “pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums” invokes both horror and empathy, forcing the audience to grapple with the brutality of her resolve. The phrase “boneless gums” suggests vulnerability and helplessness, emphasizing the innocence of the child Lady Macbeth references, which starkly contrasts with her intentions.
Additionally, the use of rhetorical questions throughout Lady Macbeth’s speech heightens the tension and urgency of her argument. By questioning Macbeth’s courage and manhood, she manipulates him emotionally, compelling him to confront societal expectations of masculinity. This strategic use of language not only reveals Lady Macbeth’s cunning nature but also reflects broader themes of gender roles and power dynamics in the play.
Historical Context
“Macbeth” was written during the early 17th century, a time when gender roles were strictly defined. Women were often relegated to domestic spheres, and their influence in the public or political realm was minimal. Lady Macbeth’s ambition and willingness to defy these constraints offer a commentary on the nature of power and femininity. Shakespeare’s portrayal of a strong-willed female character who covets power challenges the norms of his time, making her one of the most compelling figures in his body of work.
Themes in the Larger Work
This quote encapsulates the central themes of ambition and moral corruption that dominate “Macbeth.” Lady Macbeth’s willingness to forsake her maternal instincts for power reflects the dangerous allure of ambition, a recurring theme in Shakespeare’s plays. The psychological consequences of unchecked ambition are also a focal point, as both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth descend into madness, haunted by guilt and remorse as the play progresses.
Moreover, the quote highlights the theme of appearance versus reality. Lady Macbeth’s outward display of strength and control belies her internal turmoil, reflecting the broader struggle between ambition and conscience that is central to the play’s tragic trajectory.
Modern Interpretations
In contemporary discussions, this quote resonates with themes of gender and power dynamics. Feminist readings often highlight Lady Macbeth’s transgression against societal norms, viewing her as a precursor to modern feminist figures who challenge patriarchal structures. The intensity of her ambition can also be seen as a critique of how societal expectations shape individual desires, particularly in the context of women aspiring to power.
Furthermore, the imagery evokes discussions about motherhood and sacrifice, raising questions about the sacrifices individuals make in pursuit of their goals. In an age where ambition is often glorified, Lady Macbeth’s chilling declaration serves as a stark reminder of the potential moral costs of such pursuits.
Conclusion
Lady Macbeth’s declaration, “I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums,” stands as a powerful testament to the complexities of ambition, gender, and morality in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Through vivid imagery and emotional manipulation, Shakespeare not only crafts a character of profound ambition but also invites the audience to reflect on the darker aspects of human nature. The quote serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which individuals may go when ambition and desire eclipse all else, revealing the timeless relevance of Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition. In grappling with such profound themes, “Macbeth” continues to resonate with audiences, inviting reflection on the nature of power
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Selected Text Explanation
Passage Summary
In this passage from Act 1, Scene 7 of *Macbeth*, Lady Macbeth confronts her husband, questioning his resolve and challenging his masculinity as he hesitates to proceed with their murderous plan to kill King Duncan. Her words are laced with scorn for what she perceives as his cowardice and inconsistency between desire and action. She articulates a stark view of masculinity, equating bravery with the willingness to commit heinous acts to achieve power.
The themes of ambition, gender roles, and the nature of evil are woven throughout this exchange. Lady Macbeth's relentless ambition drives her to manipulate Macbeth, arguing that true manhood lies in the act of seizing power, even through violence. Her reference to maternal instincts juxtaposes tenderness with brutality, revealing the complex duality of her character. She is willing to sacrifice her nurturing nature to achieve their ambitions, offering a chilling perspective on the lengths to which she is willing to go.
Macbeth, on the other hand, grapples with the moral implications of their plan and the fear of failure. His initial reluctance highlights his internal conflict between ambition and conscience, setting the stage for the psychological turmoil that will follow. In contrast to Lady Macbeth's cold resolve, his hesitance reveals the human struggle against dark impulses.
This passage is significant as it encapsulates the dynamics of power and influence in their relationship, illustrating how ambition can corrupt and distort human emotions. It also foreshadows the tragic consequences of their actions, as the couple's descent into moral decay begins with this pivotal moment of persuasion and manipulation. The dramatic tension builds as Lady Macbeth's unyielding determination propels them toward their fateful decision, suggesting that the pursuit of power can lead to the destruction of both self and others.
Original Passage
Select any part of the passage to receive an explanation:
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dress'd yourself? Hath it slept since?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? From this time
Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard
To be the same in thine own act and valour
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem,
Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would,"
Like the poor cat i' th' adage?
MACBETH.
Pr'ythee, peace!
I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more is none.
LADY MACBETH.
What beast was't, then,
That made you break this enterprise to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man;
And, to be more than what you were, you would
Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both:
They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. 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 pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums
And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you
Have done to this.
MACBETH.
If we should fail?
LADY MACBETH.
We fail?
But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep
(Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
Soundly invite him), his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassail so convince
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only: when in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
Th' unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
His spongy officers; who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell?
MACBETH.
Bring forth men-children only;
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males. Will it not be receiv'd,
When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two
Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers,
That they have done't?
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