Question 1: Identify and explain the significance of the repeated phrase 'the smell of the blood still' in this extract.

Answer: It emphasises Lady Macbeth's guilt and the inescapable nature of her remorse, symbolising her mind's obsession with the crime.

Question 2: How does Shakespeare use imagery in this scene to depict guilt?

Answer: Shakespeare employs the imagery of blood and unwashed hands to symbolise guilt and the inability to cleanse oneself from evil.

Question 3: Which literary device is exemplified by the phrase 'A little water clears us of this deed'? What is its effect?

Answer: a) Irony

Question 4: Discuss the connection between Lady Macbeth’s actions and mythological concepts of guilt or punishment.

Answer: Students should explore how Lady Macbeth’s guilt mirrors mythological themes of divine punishment or remorse, such as the myths of Pandora’s box or the Furies, highlighting her internal torment as an inevitable consequence of her actions.

Question 5: Identify and explain a literary device used in the line 'Here’s the smell of the blood still'.

Answer: The phrase employs sensory imagery and personification, suggesting the blood's lingering presence as if it has a scent and can 'smell' in a human way.

Question 6: What does Lady Macbeth’s desire to wash her hands reveal about her psychological state?

Answer: It reveals her overwhelming guilt and her desperate attempt to rid herself of her conscience and the moral stain of her crimes.

Question 7: Explain the significance of the stage directions '[She resumes her walk; her hands are still observed to be unwashed]'.

Answer: It indicates her ongoing psychological distress and the futility of her attempts to escape her guilt, symbolised by her unwashed hands.

Question 8: How does Shakespeare’s use of repetition reinforce the theme of guilt in this scene?

Answer: Repetition emphasises the persistent and inescapable nature of guilt, as Lady Macbeth’s mental state deteriorates under the weight of her conscience.