He was too filled with the milk of human kindness. 'too full o' the milk of human kindness' Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth would never commit an act such as murder in order to become King sooner, especially after King Duncan had just honored him with the title of Thane of Cawdor. What Does Milk of Human Kindness Mean? In Lady Macbeth's soliloquy on the subject of her husband's character, she remarks: ‘Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way’. What does this quote from Lady Macbeth mean? In both references therefore, the image of milk represented kindness. In shakespearen context, it should be women who are gentle and kind. It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way" Act1 scene 5 lines 16-18 But I worry about whether or not you have what it takes to seize the crown. What's the meaning of the phrase 'Milk of human kindness'? Start studying APEX: English 9 (Semester 2 - 1.4.3 TEST(CST) ANSWERS): Shakespeare's Macbeth. Examples of Milk of Human Kindness. - the image of "milk" has associations with a comforting and soothing nature- not the qualities Lady Macbeth thinks are reuqired to become king. The Macbeth Quote “Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.” is spoken by Lady Macbeth after she read the letter she received from Macbeth. It is too full o’ th’ Milke of humane kindnesse. The quote "The milk of human kindness" is from Shakespeare's Macbeth. What's the origin of the phrase 'Milk of human kindness'? Care and compassion for others. milk of human kindness (1.5.18) A similar expression is used in King Lear ( milky gentleness , (1.4.340). We have to believe from Lady Macbeth's description that … "...Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way." 'too full o' the milk of human kindness' Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth would never commit an act such as murder in order to become King sooner, especially after King Duncan had just honored him with the title of Thane of Cawdor. Lady Macbeth is delighted upon hearing about the new title gained by Macbeth, that is, thane of Cawdor. She immediately shares his ambitions but fears he’ll be too weak (too full of “the milk of human kindness”) to kill the King. Learn who said it and what it means at eNotes.com She described Macbeth as 'too full o' th' milk of human kindness/To catch the nearest way'. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. She also got to know about what transpired on the heath and the prophecies by witches. From Shakespeare's Macbeth, 1605: "Yet doe I feare thy Nature, It is too full o' th' Milke of humane kindnesse." She knows that Duncan is coming to stay with them soon and that it is a perfect opportunity to seize the moment and take fate into her own hands. Sometimes the milk of human kindness which flows through it (instead of blood), gets heated and then it flops about and tries to do good. In this passage, Lady Macbeth was not sure if her husband would be able to act as ruthlessly as he might have to as king. Techniques: imagery, language Analysis: - suggestion that Macbeth is "too full" implies he is not only good natured, but he is "too" full- it will stop him achiveing the crown. She knows that Duncan is coming to stay with them soon and that it is a perfect opportunity to seize the moment and take fate into her own hands.