This line is component of a speech the Lady Macbeth provides in action 1, scene 5. She is advising Macbeth on just how to go about killing King Duncan. She urges him to show up innocent and also play the welcoming hold to the king so that no one will suspect his true intention: murder.
You are watching: Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it
Who room the experts?Our certified Educators are genuine professors, teachers, and scholars who usage their academic expertise come tackle her toughest questions. Educators go v a rigorous application process, and every price they send is the review by our in-house editorial team.
Professional Writer, experienced Researcher
B.A. From Swarthmore university M.B.A. From brand-new York University
Educator due to the fact that 2019
993 answers
In Macbeth by william Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth advises her husband to "look prefer the chaste flower, however be the serpent under it." by this, she method that he should appear to be innocent to belie his devious and also murderous plans. Yet, regardless of assuming an innocent appearance, he have to remain...
Start your 48-hour cost-free trial come unlock this answer and thousands more. Gain invernessgangshow.net ad-free and cancel anytime.
In Macbeth by william Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth advises her husband come "look prefer the chaste flower, yet be the serpent under it." by this, she method that that should appear to be chaste to belie his devious and also murderous plans. Yet, regardless of assuming an innocent appearance, he need to remain as murderous or venomous as a serpent. By informing Macbeth to “look prefer the innocent flower,” she desires him come seem unthreatening and harmless to put his intended victim at ease so that his plot will come together a surprise and others will certainly not suspect him. After ~ all, that would be fear of a flower?
However, under the deceptive coat of innocence, he have to be prepared to strike Duncan together “the serpent under that
Your challenge betrays strange feelings, my lord, and people will have the ability to read it prefer a book. In bespeak to deceive them, you must show up the method they suppose you come look.
Thus, essentially what she way by “look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it” is the Macbeth should deceive people—most important Duncan—into believing that he is chaste of murderous thoughts. Lady Macbeth is ambitious. She aspires come share the throne when her husband has actually killed Duncan and so she coaches him. She continues with:
Greet the king through a welcome expression in your eyes, your hands, and also your words. You should look choose an innocent flower, yet be favor the snake that hides under the flower.
See more: Solved: Which Of The Following Best Describes Vaccination ? Which Of The Following Best Describes Vaccination
Lady Macbeth is chilling in her advice to she husband. Having actually thus instructed him, the phase is set, so to speak, for Macbeth to kill the king and later on appear to have had nothing to perform with his assassination.