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The adage in question is this one: "the cat loves fish, but does not like to wet her paws". It is an image of someone who wants something but is too fastidious to do what is needed to get it. The fastidiousness could be cowardice but could also be ethical principle. When Macbeth was on his own he weighed the breach of ethics involved in killing Duncan against the possible gain, and found that it was not worth wetting his paws for such a paltry fish. Lady Macbeth, however, equates this with cowardice, implying that he will not kill Duncan because he is afraid of doing so, by being governed by "I dare not" rather than by "I would". Macbeth is not easily moved by the carrot of possible kingship (he is not very ambitious), but he is persuaded by the stick of being held in contempt as a coward.
It is ironic that Lady Macbeth should compare Macbeth with the cat in the adage when it is she who resembles the cat much more. She, much more than Macbeth, desires the crown, but is unwilling to be the person to wet her paws by killing Duncan herself. Instead, she will get Macbeth to wet his paws by killing Duncan, and will share in the fish she desires so strongly.
There is a further irony that although clearly Lady Macbeth is the much more ambitious of the two, and Macbeth sneers at "vaulting ambition", it is Macbeth who is called ambitious by generations of schoolteachers desperate to find a one-word fatal flaw in him.
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What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says The attempt and not the deed confounds us?
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth attempted to do the murder. They will be punished for what they attempted to do even if they didnt succeed
In line 42 what does Lady Macbeth mean by the ornament of life?
Lady Macbeth meaning to the ornament of life can be refer to the golden opinions of line 33. It could even be refer to the crown.
Who gets to sleep in the tragedy of Macbeth?
Well, if you mean killed, there were many! King Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macduff, Lady Macduff's son, other members of the Macduff family and Macbeth!
Will all great nepune's mean wash this blood clean from my hands?
lady Macbeth
What does the doctor mean when he says more needs lady Macbeth the divine than the physician?
The Doctor means Lady Macbeth's guilt and inner turmoil can only be solved by God/a priest; a doctor could not help her mental sickness
Do you like Lady Macbeth?
Do you mean Macbeth the person or Macbeth the play? Because it is possible to like the play and not like the person much.
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says The attempt and not the deed confounds us?
Lady Macbeth and Macbeth attempted to do the murder. They will be punished for what they attempted to do even if they didnt succeed
In line 42 what does Lady Macbeth mean by the ornament of life?
Lady Macbeth meaning to the ornament of life can be refer to the golden opinions of line 33. It could even be refer to the crown.
Who gets to sleep in the tragedy of Macbeth?
Well, if you mean killed, there were many! King Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macduff, Lady Macduff's son, other members of the Macduff family and Macbeth!
What does adage mean in french?
un adage is a proverb in French
Will all great nepune's mean wash this blood clean from my hands?
lady Macbeth
What does mettle mean in Macbeth?
In Macbeth, the word "mettle" is used to describe one's character, courage, or resilience. For example, Lady Macbeth refers to her husband's mettle when discussing whether he is fit to be king.
What does the doctor mean when he says more needs lady Macbeth the divine than the physician?
The Doctor means Lady Macbeth's guilt and inner turmoil can only be solved by God/a priest; a doctor could not help her mental sickness
What does to catch the nearest way by Lady Macbeth mean?
it means that one should use what ever they have to get where they want to be, to Macbeth this means that he should kill his king in order to become king
Who dismisses the guest in Macbeth?
That depends on who you mean by the guest, and when. In Act 3, Scene 1, Macbeth calls Banquo "our chief guest." Macbeth is the one who dismisses Banquo after that conversation, saying "Hie you to horse. Adieu, / Till your return at night." If you mean the guests at the dinner party in Act 3, Scene 4 (after Banquo has been murdered and is appearing at the dinner as a ghost), Lady Macbeth dismisses them by saying "At once, good night. / Stand not upon the order of your going, / But go at once."
What does cat i' the adage mean?
Adage = the saying is ' the cat would eat fish, but would not wet her feet'
What does Upbraid mean in Macbeth?
In Macbeth, the word "upbraid" means to scold, criticize, or reprimand someone. Lady Macbeth uses this term when she is chastising her husband for his lack of courage and resolve to commit acts of violence in order to achieve their goals.
