In the text I will analyse an extract from Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, written between 1605 and 1606.

The extract is written both in prose (the letter) and in verse, so that Shakespeare nobilized the speeches between Macbeth’s spouse. 

The scene starts with some information about the setting: the protagonists are at Macbeth's castle in Inverness; Lady Macbeth is reading a letter written by her husband, which informs that the man met three witches who foresaw he would become Thane of Cawdor and later King of Scotland.  The letter conveys Macbeth’s feelings after the vision: he is surely happy and proud (line 1 - “they met me in the day of success”-  lines 8 and 9 - “you mightest not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised you''-) but also “rapt” and “burned in desire” because of the prophecy. The letter also reveals Macbeths’ relationship and their ambition: Macbeth names his wife “my dearest partner of greatness”, like if he knows their desire for power.

You can arrange the verse-part into, at least, four sections. 

The first one, from line 10 to line 25, tells the reader Lady Macbeth’s consideration about her husband’s nature: she is sure the man is not cruel to play false and to become king thanks to “the nearest way”, despite his ambition. However, what stands out is Lady Macbeth’s behaviour: she seems to be very ambitious and, what’s more, she wants to become queen as soon as possible; she is also ready to corrupt her husband “pouring her spirits in his ear” and “chastising with her tongue all that impedes him to the crown” (lines 21 to 23).

The ambition is expressed by the use of conditional tense: the epanalexis of “wouldst” (l. 15,16,17) highlights the thirst of power that characterises the Lady, like the alliteration of sound “th” does. Moreover, the ambition is connected to Lady’s regret at not being her husband: differently from him, the woman knows what to be, and what to do, to be a queen. Her bitterness is revealed by long periods, run-on-line (l. 15-16, 19-20) and anaphoras (“That” in lines 16, 18, 20, 21, “And” in lines 17, 19, 22).

In the second part Lady Macbeth discovers that the king would come to her castle that night.

The section allows the lyrical I to introduce another soliloquy, which is the argument of the third part.

The soliloquy lasts from line 37 to line 53 and represents the top of Lady Macbeth’s ambition, such that she begs for spirits.

The section starts with a simile, between Fate and the raven, which “croaks” good news.

In the following lines, Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to “unsex” her, so as to change typical women’s features (remorse and visitings) with the “direst cruelty”.

A second invocation is referred to the night, which has to cover the woman’s misdemeanours.

You can notice the use of imperative tense: Lady Macbeth already seems to behave like a queen, with information for the spirits to what to do and what not to do.

The last section tells the meeting between Macbeths, which unveils the nature of both.

While the man is silent (he speaks only for 4 lines) the woman expresses her pride for her husband and her ambition; she suggests him to cover his feelings. She also assures that she will do everything to become queen.