Question

1. what does lady macbeth instruct her husband to do in the following quote:

bear welcome in your eye,
your hand, your tongue. look like th innocent flower,
but be the serpent under t.
i.vi

1. lady macbeth tells duncan that hosting him and his servants is nothing compared to what?

Explanation:

Question 23

In the quote from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth instructs Macbeth to appear welcoming and innocent (like a flower) in his demeanor (through his eyes, hand, tongue) but to be deceitful and treacherous (like a serpent) in his actions and intentions. She wants him to put on a friendly, harmless facade while secretly plotting (in this context, the plan to kill Duncan).

In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth tells Duncan that hosting him and his servants is nothing compared to the honor Duncan has bestowed upon Macbeth (or the honor of being in Duncan’s favor, or the debt of gratitude and respect they owe him for his royal favor). Specifically, she says that the hospitality they offer is a small return compared to the great honor Duncan has given Macbeth (the title, trust, etc.).

Answer:

Lady Macbeth instructs her husband (Macbeth) to appear welcoming and innocent in his outward demeanor (with his eye, hand, tongue; to “look like th’ innocent flower”) but to be deceitful and treacherous (to “be the serpent under ’t”) in his actions/intentions, essentially telling him to feign friendliness while secretly plotting.

Question 24