Question

select the correct answer.

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

lady macbeth: who dares receive it other,

(90) as we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
upon his death?
macbeth: i am settled, and bend up
each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
away, and mock the time with fairest show:
false face must hide what the false heart doth know.

how does this interaction between macbeth and lady macbeth develop a theme about power and ambition?

by showing the strength of their relationship
by revealing that lady macbeth is already grieving
by highlighting their willingness to deceive others
by exposing that they have different ambitions

Explanation:

Analyze the characters' dialogue and intent

Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are planning the murder of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth insists they will perform a convincing show of grief upon his death ("make our griefs and clamour roar / Upon his death"). Macbeth agrees, stating he is committed to the "terrible feat" and must hide his true intentions behind a false appearance ("False face must hide what the false heart doth know").

Connect the interaction to the theme of power and ambition

Their ambition to gain power drives them to commit murder. To achieve this goal without getting caught, they must actively deceive those around them by pretending to be loyal subjects while plotting treason.

Evaluate the multiple-choice options

• "by showing the strength of their relationship": Incorrect; while they are working together, the focus of this specific interaction is on the execution of their plot and deception.
• "by revealing that Lady Macbeth is already grieving": Incorrect; she is planning to fake her grief later.
• "by highlighting their willingness to deceive others": Correct; both characters emphasize putting on a false show ("mock the time with fairest show", "False face must hide...") to conceal their murderous ambition.
• "by exposing that they have different ambitions": Incorrect; they are fully aligned in their plot.

Answer:

• by showing the strength of their relationship
• by revealing that Lady Macbeth is already grieving
• by highlighting their willingness to deceive others (Correct answer)
• by exposing that they have different ambitions