Lady Macbeth remains an iconic literary figure by breaking gender role models prevalent in 1606. We first discussed stereotypical 17th Century female gender behavior , and noted how Shakespeare ties that gender role to the metaphor of "milk of human kindness" biologically tied to a woman's breastfeeding. By contrast, it is Macbeth who is portrayed in Act I as the passive character who awaits "Fate" or chance to make him king. We analyzed Macbeth's long soliloquy wherein he articulates the many rational arguments against regicide and himself concludes that the only motivation "spurring " him forward is unchecked "ambition." We continue to highlight language repeating the reality vs appearance motif, and last examined how Lady Macbeth verbally emasculates Macbeth in an effort to convince him to "be a man" and murder the king as if this act were somehow fated and beyond their control. HW- study for short Act I quiz/ read next scene in Act II and ans. study guide questions.