Lady Macbeth Character Analysis

Throughout the play "Macbeth", by William Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth's character drastically changes from being sinister to feeble. Lady Macbeth was an evil, manipulative person whose greed and selfishness were eventually the downfall of her character and well being. During the beginning of "Macbeth", she used her twisted mind to convince her husband to murder, making him believe that it was the only way he could get what he wanted. But as the play developed and the murders started to increase, Lady Macbeth started to question whether or not they were necessary. Sadly, though possibly justifiably, she ended up committing suicide after her constant questioning of the murders drove her to insanity. Lady Macbeth was an unemotional person who only cared about what she could gain. She made her disconcern about other people well known when she said, "How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me I would, while it was smiling in my face Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this." (Act I, Scene VII, Lines 55-60). Lady Macbeth refers that she would have no problem taking the life of her son, if it meant getting what she wanted. The fact that she would even fathom the idea of killing her own child makes her morose and appalling. If only she knew that it would be her who would be taken out of this world so cruelly. Being able to manipulate her husband's mind and the minds of others was another one of Lady Macbeth's baneful traits. After Macbeth killed King Duncan, still reeling from the crime he had committed, he met up with his wife. Once again, she used her manipulative ways to make him think that she felt just as bad as he did. She said, "My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white." (Act II, Scene II, Lines 63-64). Lady Macbeth appeared to her husband as if she felt just as guilty about the act of violence as he did, knowing that in reality she didn't care at all. Telling Macbeth that her hands were as bloody as his own was to try to give him comfort that he was not alone in his schemes. But Lady Macbeth had other ideas in mind. She couldn't care less about her husband's thoughts or worries. All she could think about was

     After the death of Duncan Macbeth begins to work on his own without the help of his wife. He plans the murders of Banquo and the heir to the throne, Banquo’s son Fleance. Although it does not turn out as expected Macbeth remains calm until Banquo’s ghost appears. ‘... and keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, when mine is blanched with fear.’ This was the turning point in the whole story because until this point everything was going great for Macbeth, he had power, fame and fortune, all you could ever want;however, when this ghost appeared Macbeth went on a little insanity trip. He, also like his wife was engulfed with guilt and unable to function properly anymore. This led to another visit with the witches. Showing

Macbeth, written by william shakespeare displays a diverse range of themes and topics throughout the play. These themes are represented through a wide range of characters throughout the dramatic text. One that is strongly underlined throughout the whole play is the theme of the connection between ambition and manipulation and one of the main characters; Lady Macbeth. Throughout the sequences of the play, lady macbeth is depicted as a head-strong ambitious woman who challenges her husband's masculinity in order for him to commit actions in order to gain power.

Inverness Castle, the Macbeth residence on Friday Evening- Breaking news, the honorable King Duncan of Scotland was found dead in his sleep with multiple stab wounds to the chest. Watchmen have yet to identify who committed such a horrendous felony. The locals of Scotland are in utter shock and awe of the tragic events that took place last night. The great lands of Scotland are still with the breaths of the helpless citizens that don’t know what to do now that the king is dead. As loyal citizens they all want the death of the king to be avenged.

After murdering King Duncan, Macbeth returns ashamed of what he had done and becomes weak and morose. Lady Macbeth remains as bold and cold-hearted as she was at the moment she plotted to kill the king, but it was obvious that it would only be a matter of time before all of that bravery faded away and guilt would overcome her. She realizes that Macbeth is at one of the lowest points of his life and tries to give him that same sense of boldness that she has as she tries to cover up his weaknesses. Macbeth had a lot on his conscience that shortly after Banquo had been killed, he believed he saw the ghost of who was once his friend. No one else sees this apparition but Macbeth speaks to it as if it was

“Lady Macbeth tutors her husband in the arts of deceit” (Kemp 95). She tells him to “bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue: look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (Shakespeare I. v. 63-65). She also portrays the perfect hostess. Duncan praises Lady Macbeth for being an “honour’d hostess” and a “fair and noble hostess” (Shakespeare I. vi. 10, 24). She drugs the guards who protect Duncan’s bedchamber by bringing them tainted wine. Lady Macbeth, unable to kill Duncan because he resembles his father, has Macbeth to murder him instead. After the deed is done, Lady Macbeth plays to be distraught over the King’s death. Later, following the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth acknowledges his wife as hostess, and she welcomes the thanes who have gathered after being summoned to acknowledge Macbeth as their new king (Kemp 95).

at this exact point as in the previous scene Macbeth is on his way to

Lady Macbeth runs away from punishment as she attempts to stay innocent which at the end of the day comes to haunt her, making her feel guilty. She conceals evidence and frames guards to protect herself. After Macbeth kills Duncan while he was sleeping, he goes back to lady Macbeth. He tells her that one the servants were laughing and one verbally expresses “murder!” in his sleep.

Lady Macbeth explained that he was sick that night and that everyone should leave, but this event has left many to reflect on whether Macbeth is right to take Duncan’s place.

In Act 3 Scene 4, while hosting a dinner for friends, Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost sitting in his chair and panics. “ That, when the brains were out, the man would die, and there would be the end; but now they rise again.” (86). His attendants suggest leaving, but Lady Macbeth urges them to stay. This scene represents Macbeth’s insanity. He has become very paranoid to the point of having visions. The characters in this scene are Macbeth who has a vision of Banquo subsequently to killing him, and his wife who calms him after having his breakdown. Ross, Lennox, and the attendants are also part of the scene, they suggest leaving after Macbeth has his breakdown due to being confused about the purpose of it.

Who’s there? (3.1. 50-75) THE STAIRCASE The staircase is meant to showcase the theme of fate and free will in Macbeth. While the staircase is fated to lead Macbeth to the kingship (represented by the stairs leading to the crown), it is Macbeth who willingly takes each step (action) to reach the crown and to secure it for coming generations. Stars decorated the staircase to represent the fate base of the Macbeth’s path to the crown.

At the end of Act 1 Scene 3 Macbeth tries to open out to Banquo. Since

In Macbeth the scene of the banquet at Dunsinane shows the guilt of Macbeth, reveals to us the extent of his madness and marks the suspicion of the Scottish lords. Macbeth shows the audience the extent of his insanity, rouses suspicion from the Scottish lords and contributes to the overarching theme of guilt. Macbeth’s constant shouting at the apparition shows how far gone he is. It marks his lack of self control in the face of his guilt, his fear of being discovered and refusal to come to terms with what he has done. Likewise the lords see this outburst and are clued into Macbeth’s usurping of power by his blaming of others, he makes himself suspicious and tells them of his murdering Banquo. Macbeth’s quilt here develops a theme of guilt in the play

The knocking carries over to the third scene, where Shakespeare adds some comic relief to such a nail-biting atmosphere. The drunken porter, annoyed by the knocking, imagines that he is keeper of the gates of Hell (an interesting word choice because he's actually in Macbeth's castle) and allows three sinners in (The fact that he's drunk and urinating all over the stage only adds to hysteria of laughter that has now engulfed the audience. Finally, the porter opens the gates and Macduff and Lennox, who have come to get the king, enter. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have come to the hall, and Macduff has gone to check on the king. Macduff returns in horror, making the audience and the mood change from hilarious to a gloomy realization that they've just witnessed a cold-hearted murder. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, of course, overact their grievances for the king. Macbeth says, "Had I but died an hour before this chance,/I had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant,/There's nothing serious in mortality:" (II, iii, 96-100), whereas Lady Macbeth faints. It is here also that Lennox introduces a supernatural mood, which greatly adds to the next scene. The

In perhaps the most pivotal scene in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s motives are truly revealed in her manipulation of Macbeth to show how humans have a desire for power and once they get a taste of it, they will go through any lengths to have it, no matter the effect on others. Her lust for power is showcased through how she persuades Macbeth by insulting his masculinity and using emotive language to counter his logical reasoning. This section of the play illustrates the tipping point of each character’s morality with Macbeth having second thoughts about the planned murder and Lady Macbeth diving straight in.