Key Relationships GapFill

At the beginning of the extract, Lady Macbeth is  talking to herselftalking to the Messengerreading a letter from Macbethremembering something Macbeth told her.

Macbeth calls Lady Macbeth his 'dearest partner of greatness', implying  subservienceequalitylovecommunication in their relationship; this was very unusual for the patriarchal society of the time. The repetition of 'greatness' demonstrates Macbeth's  hopenervousnessdominationexcitement at what the Witches have told him; there is  pathetic fallacyalliterationdoubtirony in the fact that, although Macbeth achieves what he so hopes to here, he never accedes to greatness because of the way he acquired the throne and his behaviour once he becomes King.

Lady Macbeth is concerned that Macbeth's nature will prevent him from 'catch[ing] the nearest way'. She is saying that he won't  become the kingdo what he needs to dokill the kingtake shortcuts and there is a clear implication that she would, suggesting that she is stronger and more hard-hearted than he is, again showing Lady Macbeth to be unusual according to gender stereotypes at the time. 

It is clear that Lady Macbeth knows her husband well and knows that she has influence over him. 'Hie the thither' means  hurry upcome homeget here quicklyarrive home. She is forthright in her intention to influence Macbeth, seen in the quotation,  'That I may pour my spirits in thine ear''Art not without ambition''All that impedes thee from the golden round''To have thee crowned withal'.