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

When doctor visited Lady Macbeth because she is sleepwalking. Doctor ask how is condition of Lady Macbeth to Gentlewoman who is taking care of Lady Macbeth. Gentlewoman said that Lady Macbeth often rubs her hand as if she is washing something. Lady Macbeth is talking to herself and trying to get spot off her hand. Lady Macbeth says, “What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him” (V.i.27-30). Lady Macbeth calculated that Macbeth will not kill anyone after he becomes king. She never thought Macbeth will become bloodthirsty and keep killing people.All the killings Macbeth did leads Lady Macbeth to be guilty of her provoking Macbeth to kill the king at beginning. Lady Macbeth also says to doctor “The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?—What, will these hands ne'er be clean?—No more o' that, my lord, no more o' that. You mar all with this starting” (V.i.30-33). Lady Macbeth is also guilty because Macbeth killed Macduff’s family. Macbeth does not listen to her like he used to. She was the one who initiated Macbeth to kill someone at beginning which is why Macbeth started killing people. Lady Macbeth did not want any more blood on her hands. All the guilt driven her to insanity which eventually leads her to suicide. Lady Macbeth is portrayed as weak person at the end of the play because she isn’t strong enough to make her husband listen to her like she used and loses into insanity due to

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.

Although Macbeth commits the murder, Lady Macbeth shows that she has just as many dark and corrupt thoughts as him. The one who comes up with the murder plan is Lady Macbeth, directly after she learns about the prophecy. After Macbeth informs her of the king’s overnight stay, Lady Macbeth’s first words are “O, never/ Shall sun that morrow see!” (1. 5. 67-68) as her plan to kill the king is already being put into motion. If Lady Macbeth had not made the plans Macbeth may not have gone through with the murder. Lady macbeth becomes a driving, manipulative force to Macbeth. She justifies why killing Duncan is good and shames him into committing horrible deeds. When Macbeth tries to refuse she says “When you durst do it, then you were a man;/ And, to be more than what you were, you would/ Be so much more the man.” (1. 7. 54-56), challenging his masculinity. In the end, Lady Macbeth isn't the only one who’s mind becomes corrupted, she drags Macbeth down with her. Finally, Lady Macbeth pretends that the guilt doesn’t really bother her, she simply tells her husband that he is weak. She tries hide her corruption through lies and by putting Macbeth down, but in the end she falters, realises her guilt and drives herself insane.

In Shakespeare play, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s character progresses in an interesting manner. Lady Macbeth is made to act as an incentive to Macbeth's immoral actions. Even though Macbeth is generally the person to have a final say before killing someone, Lady Macbeth plays the role of his “sidekick”. She mocks her husband if he worries over a sinful deed (which usually she instructs him to do), saying he would be less of a man if he does not follow through with their plan (I. vii. 56-57). She gives Macbeth a short lecture in deceptiveness when they are planning to kill King Duncan (I. vi. 73-78). She also prepared the daggers for Macbeth to kill Duncan in advance (II. ii. 15-16). Although her husband was still having doubts, she was always ready to go in for the kill. She did not think twice about it or feel any remorse. This shows that Lady Macbeth evolved into looking like a humble and quieter person on the exterior, but being an insane woman and criminal due to the events that have affected her.

Macbeth’s character has developed significantly up to the second act. We are first introduced to Macbeth character in a way that we view him as powerful and Nobel. We get this idea from the quote “oh valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” which is what he is described as by Duncan, who at the time is the king. From this quote Macbeth is portrayed as a loyal and heroic figure who has done much for many, however as we know this was not a smart move for Duncan to make as it makes him come across and weak and seems like Duncan should be giving Macbeth a higher title, which is what the witches had told him before. In addition, this idea of the king complementing Macbeth about all the good that he has done seems to trigger the belief that Macbeth has the ability to be king, even in the eyes of Duncan who is so ecstatic what he has done for the county.

Lady Macbeth- the malicious mastermind, and the second driving force behind the murders done by Macbeth, had believed that by portraying a man’s ways, she would attain power-for her and her husband, and gain whatever they needed without remorse or sorrow. Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to frame two guards by getting them intoxicated and even prepares the murder scene for Macbeth to take King Duncan's life. Macbeth even questions his loyalty and righteousness in this moment by saying, “But in these cases, we still have judgment here…bloody instructions…return to plague the inventor” and . . .” He is here in double trust; first as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then as his host” (I.VII.7-14). This just

In the play “Macbeth” the author furthers the ideas of ambition, manhood and violence throughout the play using a gender lens, mainly for masculinity in men. In the play “Macbeth” ambition plays a big role in the man characters life; Macbeth. In Act 1 scene 3, lines 125-129, “And oftentimes, to win us to our harm; The instruments of darkness tell us truth.” (Shakespeare 1.3.125-129). This quote stated by Banquo foreshadows Macbeth further into the play. Macbeth ends up killing King Duncan because he wants to be in power over the kingdom. When Banquo questions Macbeth about the killing of King Duncan, Macbeth’s ambition to kill Banquo skyrocketed. Macbeth didn’t want anybody to think or know that he ended up killing King Duncan for power. This started a cycle of death for Macbeth’s ambition to kill to stay in power. This example of ambition from “Macbeth” has a very similar motif from the movie called “The Mask You Live In”. In the movie, George Orwell states, “He wears a mask and his face grows to fit it.” The idea of the mask he wear fits his face helps us further the reason for men’s ambitions. Men’s ambitions are driven by power and dominance over people and prized possessions. For men to be able to gain power, they need to prove how masculine they are to society. In doing so they are dehumanizing their biological thoughts and feelings and turning them into artificial ones in order to be seen more powerful or dominate to the public.

Whilst the character of Macbeth is initially portrayed as a noble kinsman, his ambition and motivation, directly influenced by the witches and Lady Macbeth, ultimately transforms him into a corrupt and ruthless tyrant. William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy “Macbeth” clearly depicts this notion of change, illustrated through Shakespeare's utilisation of literary techniques. The tragic downfall of Macbeth is mainly attributed to Macbeth’s own greed and hubris.

Along with ambition, guilt is another common theme seen throughout Macbeth.  Almost all of the main characters are seen to have some sort of guilt during the course of the play, but two stand out far beyond the rest.  That is Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  Since they both were in on the conspiracy to kill King Duncan, they both share it as a heavy burden.  They both seem to handle it in different ways however.  Macbeth, being the one who has committed the actual murder or one of his close friends, is immediately shown to be full of regret as he states, "Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst"(2.2.75-76).  Macbeth shows for a short time that he would go back and "wake," or revive King Duncan if he had the chance.  We then see Macbeth start to become somewhat insane, being eaten away by the guilt of this murder.  As for Lady Macbeth, she is guilty for a multitude of reasons.  Along with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth does share the burden of killing King Duncan, but is also burdened by Macbeth 's growing reign of tyranny.  As seen throughout the last few acts, Lady Macbeth is being eaten away by her guilt, feeling that this is all her fault.  Right before the scene where Invernous, Macbeth 's castle, is stormed she her guilt drives her to end it all.  She commits suicide right before Macbeth 's rule comes to a tragic end.  I feel that Shakespeare has used the theme of

In the play Macbeth, the character Lady Macbeth has changed throughout Act I and Act V tremendously. Her attitude has changed heavily from her being cold-hearted and harsh in the beginning, to being dominated by guilt. Lady Macbeth’s transformation reveals the darkness of human nature and eventually dark ambition leads to Macbeth murdering Duncan to be king. This play critiques or upholds prescribed gender roles because when Lady Macbeth is pushing Macbeth to murder Duncan, she feels as if she has to take on manly characteristics. Also, Lady Macbeth seems to rule Macbeth and control his actions, and this makes Lady Macbeth seem like she plays the dominant role in their relationship. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth changes greatly throughout Act I

When Shakespeare first presents Lady Macbeth in the play, we believe that she was an ambitious woman who was driven to get power at all costs. We are irresolute however as to whether she is part of a chain of events in the evilness going around the source. The first words we from her mouth are her husband’s word, which he wrote on his letter, showing us that she was the agent of his thoughts. Women in that period of time, were running a household, producing heirs for their husband and taking care of them, this is not the case for Lady Macbeth as she involves herself in social affairs. Her drive for power is what makes them so successful in their deceitful plans. The play shows us that there is a unique chemistry between two individuals which rare in that period as marriage was usually arranged. She is essentially what keeps the force going as she guides Macbeth and teaches is him how to be manipulative. Even though the crime that they had committed was treason she was simply past the point of caring as she believed she had nothing to lose as she was childless and she had no emotional fulfilment as a woman. She is superfluous and nothing less than reigning alongside Macbeth can feel this hole.

In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth Shakespeare indirectly characterizes Lady Macbeth through incorporating her heartless actions. For example, after Macbeth completes the unspeakable deed of murdering Duncan he becomes fearful and unwilling to transfer the blame of the murder to Duncan's servants. Lady Macbeth claims he is weak of purpose and childish because he is afraid. Additionally, Lady Macbeth demands he hand her the daggers as she will now hold the responsibility of smearing the blood on the servants so they seem guilty. After the deed is complete, Lady Macbeth acts as if she is unknown to King Duncan’s death. Through Lady Macbeth’s actions, before the murder and after, it is clearly evident that she is characterized as

In Shakesperes play, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth was a woman of single purpose. She is seen as a mainly focused character throughout the duration of the play, where she provides a connection of a unnatural realm between the witches and reality. Lady Macbeth uses her feminine qualities to manipulate Macbeth into killing duncan, and gain life long power with fortune. As Macbeth has his masculinity evoked for being soft hearted and weak minded when it comes to lady Macbeth along with her Torturous yet poised feminine assets.

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.