Pour my spirits in thine ear

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

Pour my spirits into your (thine) ear. 

"Pour my spirits in thine ear." Act 1, scene 5, line 25. Spoken by Lady Macbeth as she reads Macbeth's letter about the witches' prophecy.

Note: Thine means your. 

Meaning 

• "Pour my spirits in thine ear." - Lady Macbeth is saying she wants to fill Macbeth's mind with her own thoughts, ambitions, and determination. She wants to persuade him to act on the prophecy and kill King Duncan. 

• Overall interpretation - The word "spirits" refers to her ambitious and ruthless nature and "pour in thine ear" suggests manipulation - whispering or planting ideas to influence his decision. 

Exam advice

• Theme of manipulation and influence - Lady Macbeth is clearly the driving force behind Macbeth's early actions showing how powerful her influence is. 

• Power in relationships - This quote shows the imbalance of power at the start of the play. Lady Macbeth takes control guiding Macbeth towards murder. 

• Imagery of poison and persuasion - The act of "pouring" in the ear can also be read as poisoning the mind, filling Macbeth with dark, dangerous thoughts. 

• Ambition - Lady Macbeth is the embodiment of unchecked ambition. This line shows her willingness to take action by any means necessary. 

• Foreshadowing - Her desire to influence Macbeth foreshadows both their downfalls as their crimes lead to guilt, madness and death.