Question

1.1.8 quiz: analyze how shakespeare develops character
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’ the adage?
—william shakespeare, macbeth, act i, scene vii
what part does lady macbeth play in macbeth’s decision to kill the king?
a. she manipulates macbeth to kill the king by telling false stories of duncan’s cruelty.
b. she asks macbeth to kill the king to make sure that their children will be taken care of.
c. she admires macbeth’s strength and power and tells him what a good king he would be.
d. she calls macbeth weak and cowardly until he finally agrees to her plan to kill the king.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Lady Macbeth does not tell false stories of Duncan’s cruelty; Duncan is portrayed as a good king. Eliminate A.
• Option B: There is no mention of ensuring children’s care as a reason for killing the king. Eliminate B.
• Option C: Lady Macbeth does not admire Macbeth’s strength here; she questions his courage. Eliminate C.
• Option D: In the excerpt, Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth’s courage (calls him a coward for hesitating) to manipulate him into agreeing to kill the king. This matches her role.

Answer:

D. She calls Macbeth weak and cowardly until he finally agrees to her plan to kill the king.