Question

How does the depiction of Lady Macbeth in this 1889 painting by John Singer Sargent contrast with how she has been portrayed so far in the play? Does the painting help you make any predictions about what is to come for her character? If so, what? Use evidence and examples from the play in your response.

Answer 1

Your answer may include the following points:

The dark-green dress in the painting makes Lady Macbeth look sinister. Her braided hair closely resembles a snake. Her snakelike dress and hair strongly relate to her crafty, cunning character in the first two acts. The majestic dress is consistent with the image the reader has formed so far. In the play, Lady Macbeth is depicted as a crafty woman who inspires evil thoughts in Macbeth because she feels that he is destined to be crowned king:

Hie thee hither,

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;

And chastise with the valor of my tongue

All that impedes thee from the golden round,

Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem

To have thee crown'd withal.

In the painting, Lady Macbeth holds the golden crown and almost looks as if she is dreaming of the day she will become more powerful. The crown is the "ornament of life" she seeks. Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as an ambitious woman. Her secret desire is portrayed in this picture. Her upward, distant gaze might symbolize her ambition and hope for the future as she holds the royal crown. However, Lady Macbeth's ambition revolves around her husband's future rather than her own. She may be holding the crown above her head to show Macbeth what he must pursue.

Art thou afeard

To be the same in thine own act and valor

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.

It is difficult to tell whether she is about to place the crown on her head or remove it, making her possession of the crown ambiguous. Also, there is something empty in her gaze, which suggests that all may not be well within her despite her apparent resolve. She may be looking into the distance, momentarily lost in thought or distracted. This depiction suggests there might be a point after Macbeth becomes king when Lady Macbeth looks back at the past with regret, although this is not evident in the first two acts.

The painting suggests a detachment between Lady Macbeth and the crown. Although she wants the crown, it is not for herself—she is ambitious for her husband.

Answer 2

Sample Answer:

Your answer may include the following points:

The dark-green dress in the painting makes Lady Macbeth look sinister. Her braided hair closely resembles a snake. Her snakelike dress and hair strongly relate to her crafty, cunning character in the first two acts. The majestic dress is consistent with the image the reader has formed so far. In the play, Lady Macbeth is depicted as a crafty woman who inspires evil thoughts in Macbeth because she feels that he is destined to be crowned king:

Hie thee hither,

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;

And chastise with the valor of my tongue

All that impedes thee from the golden round,

Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem

To have thee crown'd withal.

In the painting, Lady Macbeth holds the golden crown and almost looks as if she is dreaming of the day she will become more powerful. The crown is the "ornament of life" she seeks. Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as an ambitious woman. Her secret desire is portrayed in this picture. Her upward, distant gaze might symbolize her ambition and hope for the future as she holds the royal crown. However, Lady Macbeth's ambition revolves around her husband's future rather than her own. She may be holding the crown above her head to show Macbeth what he must pursue.

Art thou afeard

To be the same in thine own act and valor

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.

It is difficult to tell whether she is about to place the crown on her head or remove it, making her possession of the crown ambiguous. Also, there is something empty in her gaze, which suggests that all may not be well within her despite her apparent resolve. She may be looking into the distance, momentarily lost in thought or distracted. This depiction suggests there might be a point after Macbeth becomes king when Lady Macbeth looks back at the past with regret, although this is not evident in the first two acts.

The painting suggests a detachment between Lady Macbeth and the crown. Although she wants the crown, it is not for herself—she is ambitious for her husband.