Act 1, Scene 5, II. 12/15-27/30 Lady Macbeth, Figurative Language

          In William Shakepeare's Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5 begins with Lady Macbeth reading a letter from her husband Macbeth in his castle. In this letter Macbeth writes that he has become the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth also mentions the prophecy given by the witches he and Banquo met on their way to the King's court at the Forres. Macbeth was amazed that the witches were correct about him becoming the thane of Cawdor. He also discusses that the prophecy said that he one day may become King. While Lady Macbeth knows that her husband is ambitious and will try to fight to become king; however, she fears he is "too full o'the milk of human-kindness" to make himself king. Macbeth's compassion may stop him from proceeding with cruel deeds in order to become King. Lady Macbeth reveals that she wants to convince her husband to do whatever is required to become King. Later Macbeth tells his wife that Duncan will be leaving tomorrow after he visits tonight. Lady Macbeth cleverly announces that she has a plan and Duncan may never live to see tomorrow.
    
          In this Act the audience learns that Lady Macbeth is a powerful character that would do anything to make her husband the King. She is willing to go to the depths of killing another King to dethrone him. Lady Macbeth also shows her doubt with her husband's abilities to fight to become king. She believes he is too weak to do anything good for himself, while she believes she is very powerful and ruthless. It is up to Lady Macbeth to convince her husband to do the vulgar deeds in order for him to become King. Lady Macbeth is either going to make or break Macbeth's journey into becoming King.
   
          A metaphor was presented in Act I, Scene 5, Lines 62-64 which says "Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue, look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't." Here Lady Macbeth explains to Macbeth that he must be kind with kind eyes, a welcoming hand, and tasteful treats for the King to prove his innocence in the beginning of the night, even though he will kill him later on, so he can become King himself. At the beginning of the night Macbeth will "look like an innocent flower" making it far from obvious that he will turn into "the serpent under't" while he slays Duncan later on that night.
    
         This passage connects with the play as a whole because the traits and ambitions of Lady Macbeth foreshadow how involved she will be throughout the play. She is willing to be ruthless to any innocent man no matter what so her husband and her herself can have power too. The audience also gets an idea of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship and differences they have to go through. Lady Macbeth seems to pick Macbeth's battles and make decisions for him. The audiences gets the idea that both of these people would love to have all the power they can; however, Lady Macbeth is more willing to do the evil deeds to have the power.