What Does Infirm Of Purpose Mean?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When Lady Macbeth calls her husband “infirm of purpose,” she refers back to the root meaning of “infirm”:

unsteady

, “not firm.” Macbeth’s resolve (“purpose”) is weak; he fears the deed he’s done, and thus he’s also “infirm” in the modern sense: his will is crippled.

Who said infirm of purpose?

Quote by

William Shakespeare

: “Infirm of purpose!

What technique is infirm of purpose?

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, when Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he is infirm of purpose in Act 2.2, she means that he is not solid or concrete, that he is not firm, in his

determination to go through with what he wants and needs to do

.

Who says infirm of purpose give me the daggers the sleeping and the dead are but as pictures Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil in Macbeth?

“Infirm of purpose. Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but as pictures; ’tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil.”

Lady Macbeth

is scolding Macbeth for being a coward so haunted by his recent action.

When you durst do it a man?

“When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you

would Be so much more the man

” (1.7. 49-51). In this quote Lady Macbeth is manipulating her husband Macbeth by speaking of his manhood. She gains more and more control over Macbeth as the play goes on.

How is me with every noise appals me?

How is’t with me, when every noise appals me? What hands are here! … Blood, specifically Duncan’s blood, serves as the symbol of that guilt, and Macbeth’s sense that “all great Neptune’s ocean” cannot cleanse him—that there is enough blood on his hands to turn the entire sea red—will stay with him until his death.

Why worthy Thane you do unbend?

Lady Macbeth says to her husband on Page 29, 2.2 ,“Why, worthy thane, you do unbend

your noble strength to think so brainsickly of things

.” She means that Macbeth is driving himself crazy thinking about the repercussions of killing king Duncan.

Has murdered sleep?



Macbeth has murdered sleep

, and therefore Macbeth will sleep no more.” So brainsickly of things. Go get some water, And wash this filthy witness from your hand.

Does Macbeth regret killing Duncan?

When

Macbeth returns after the murder of Duncan he is distraught and regrets the murder he has committed

. Macbeth feels so guilty for the act that his mind projects voices that condemn him. He will no longer have the piece of mind that he had before the murder.

Is the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself a metaphor?

A Short Analysis of Lady Macbeth’s ‘Was the Hope Drunk Wherein You Dress’d Yourself’ Speech. … Lady Macbeth begins with a mixed metaphor: hope is both

drunk

like a person, and something in which Macbeth dressed himself, like a piece of clothing.

Which is the most likely reason Macbeth will not return the daggers to their place?

To provide comic relief from such a grisly scene where the king is slaughtered. Why is Macbeth not willing to return to the king’s chambers to take the daggers?

He says that he cannot look upon the scene again.

What does the quote O full of scorpions is my mind dear wife meaning?

‘O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! ‘ Macbeth uses a

metaphor to explain that his guilty conscience is attacking and stinging him

. Macbeth uses a simile to say that he would rather deal with wild animals than Banquo’s ghost which he has just seen.

What does Macbeth really mean when he indicates that the blood on his hands will redden all the seas?

In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act 2, what does Macbeth really mean when he indicates that the blood on his hands will redden all the seas? It is

a comment on his profound guilt

. … Banquo, who is loyal to the king, represents Macbeth’s last chance to do what is right and call off his murderous plan.

Does Lady Macbeth want to be a man?


Lady Macbeth wants

to be a man.

She finds her husband to be incompetent and weak, while she is strong. … Even so, Lady Macbeth still desires to be a man so that she, not her husband, can be in complete control.

What can’t Macbeth say when he hears the bodyguards praying?

Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth “When you durst do it, then ___________.” … What can’t Macbeth say when he hears the bodyguards praying?

“Amen

” Where does the porter imagine he is guarding the gate?

Where we are There’s daggers in men’s smiles?

‘ Donalbain (Act II, Sc. III). In this line, Donalbain is saying that he and his brother Malcolm are not safe if they stay where they are. That the men

who smile at them are actually concealing daggers

, wanting their blood.

Juan Martinez
Author
Juan Martinez
Juan Martinez is a journalism professor and experienced writer. With a passion for communication and education, Juan has taught students from all over the world. He is an expert in language and writing, and has written for various blogs and magazines.