Question

select the correct answer.

read the excerpt from act i, scene 7 of macbeth.

macbeth: if we should fail?
lady macbeth: we fail!

(70) but screw your courage to the sticking-place,
and well not fail.

what does lady macbeths use of the metaphor \screw your courage to the sticking-place\ reveal about her character?

lady macbeth has no doubts or misgivings about killing duncan to get power.
lady macbeth doesnt want macbeth to feel guilty for what he is about to do.
lady macbeth believes that they cannot fail if they have the courage to kill duncan.
lady macbeth is as uncertain as macbeth about their plan to kill duncan.

Explanation:

Analyze the metaphor

The metaphor "screw your courage to the sticking-place" refers to tightening the pegs of a stringed instrument until they are firmly set and won't slip. In this context, Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth to tighten his resolve and remain firm so they do not fail.

Evaluate the character's mindset

Lady Macbeth's absolute certainty ("And we'll not fail") and her demand for unwavering resolve demonstrate her complete confidence in their success, provided they maintain their courage. This reveals her belief that failure is impossible if they remain resolute.

Compare with the options

• Option 1 suggests she has "no doubts or misgivings," which describes her general state of mind but does not directly address what the specific metaphor about courage and failure reveals.
• Option 2 discusses guilt, which is not the focus of this specific metaphor.
• Option 3 directly connects the metaphor of securing courage to her belief that they cannot fail ("And we'll not fail").
• Option 4 is incorrect because she is highly certain, not uncertain.

Answer:

• Lady Macbeth has no doubts or misgivings about killing Duncan to get power.
• Lady Macbeth doesn't want Macbeth to feel guilty for what he is about to do.
• Lady Macbeth believes that they cannot fail if they have the courage to kill Duncan. (Correct answer)
• Lady Macbeth is as uncertain as Macbeth about their plan to kill Duncan.