Lady Macbeth: Chapter 8  Summary & Analysis

The following spring, Gruadh spends her days embroidering and eavesdropping on Bodhe’s conversations with other noblemen about politics and threats to Scotland. She knows that “a mormaer’s wife must be aware of such issues, and the wider scope of the world beyond her household.”

According to the Roman church, women practicing swordplay is heresy, and so Dolina forbids Gruadh from practice in advance of her wedding. Bodhe doesn’t believe sword-fighting will put Gruadh out of favor with God, but does worry about their relationship with the pope, and so bans Gruadh from practicing as well.

Overwhelmed by Dolina’s wedding preparations, Gruadh visits her cousin Bethoc and Bethoc’s mother Mairi, who live in the hills outside of her fortress to ask them about her vision. Mairi believes that the signs Gruadh saw “speak of Scotland’s future even more than [her] own.” She sees that Gruadh will have two husbands, and her life will be marked by happiness, sorrow, and power. Mairi tells Gruadh she has strength within her and can draw upon the triskele on her shoulder for protection.

Mairi and Bethoc also advise Gruadh to participate in the tradition of kissing people on the new moon after she returns to Abernethy. This tradition is said to reveal the truth. When Gruadh returns to Abernathy a few days later she sneaks out during the full moon and finds people to kiss. She kisses Finn, her first love, for good luck, and clarifies that she wants his friendship. She also kisses Ruari, who pulls away surprised.

Gruadh then runs into Macbeth. He cautions her again against marrying Gilcomgan, warning that her future husband is “hated by many,” and that the match is unwise, both for her and for Fife. She counters that joining Fife and Moray is a good decision, but he points out that this would only be true if Moray “had a fit leader.”

Macbeth has grabbed Gruadh’s arm, and she finds herself drawn in towards him. He is drawn to her, too, and they kiss. Gruadh has never felt this way before—it tastes like “the water of life.” Macbeth eventually pulls back. He warns her that if she kisses for luck she might “open the door to fate,” and leaves her standing alone in the courtyard.

As a present, Bodhe gives Gruadh a hauberk and a brass helmet. He has begun allowing her to sit in on military and political meetings and believes that since she will soon be married to Gilcomgan, “it is time” she see “more of the world.” Although Dolina disapproves of the armor as much as she disapproves of Gruadh’s sword training, Gruadh recognizes this as a huge honor.