Lady Macbeth Borderline Personality Disorder Analysis

Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder in Lady Macbeth
In the play, The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, he introduces Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is an ambitious nobleman who becomes thane of Cawdor, thane of Glamis, and King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth is his wife who plays a major role in Macbeth becoming king. In doing so, her mental state rapidly declines and it is evident that Lady Macbeth is mentally ill. With support of Lady Macbeth’s destructive thoughts and actions, she could properly be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder.
Lady Macbeth shows prominent characteristics of borderline personality disorder throughout the play. According to Mayo Clinic, borderline personality disorder is defined as, “a mental health disorder that impacts the way you think and feel about yourself and others, causing problems functioning in everyday life” (“Borderline Personality Disorder”). Symptoms of this disorder include “rapid changes in self-identity and image, extreme emotions and impulsiveness, stress related paranoia, loss of contact with reality, and intense anger.” (Chmielewski). In

Act I, scene v, Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth with news that he is destined to become king; this sparks her impulsive plan to kill King Duncan. The way that Lady Macbeth plans the murder shows her loss of contact with reality. In her mind, if she does not take part in the actual murder, she will not be guilty. Lady Macbeth manipulates her husband into committing the crime, but she plants the bloody daggers on the guards, which could have triggered paranoia in Lady Macbeth. Along with being paranoid, her self-identity changes. Originally, Lady Macbeth is controlling and confident in her decisions, whereas, after both Duncan and Banquo are killed, she is fearful for her and Macbeth’s lives. “Wash your hands, put on your nightgown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.” (5.1.51-53). During this scene, Lady Macbeth reveals the murders to her gentlewoman and the doctor while sleepwalking.
Borderline personality disorder is sometimes paired with other mental disorders. In Lady Macbeth’s case, she could have also suffered from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is defined as “a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by at least one manic or hypomanic episode and depression during a person’s lifetime” (Hoblyn). For a better reference of manic episode, Hoblyn explains that an episode is:
1. Distinct period of at least 1 week (less if hospitalized) of abnormal elevated mood (may be irritable or expansive)
2. Three or more of the following symptoms have been present to a significant degree:
a) Grandiosity or increased self-esteem
b) Decreased need for sleep
c) Pressured speech
d) Racing thoughts or flight of ideas
e) Easily distractible
f) Psychomotor agitation or increased goal-directed activity
g) Excessive involvement in activities that appear pleasurable but may have painful consequences (eg, gambling or sexual indiscretions).
This disorder can also be associated with poorer quality of life and suicide.

Given this information, Lady Macbeth shows many characteristics of bipolar disorder. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth shows signs of having manic episodes. An example is her involvement in the murders; it seems like a good plan for Macbeth to become king, but the major consequences are overlooked. She has abnormal moods, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activity, and excessive involvement in activities that may have a painful outcome. Lady Macbeth is proud her husband is king; nonetheless, she is also depressed due to the fact that so many people had to be killed. For Lady Macbeth, the ultimate consequence of her actions was death, being she took her own life. (5.5.16). Therefore, it is clear that Lady Macbeth suffered from bipolar

disorder.
During this time period, treatment was not available for people with mental disorders. To Lady Macbeth’s disadvantage, she could not be treated for borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. Now, psychotherapy is available for patients with these disorders. If Lady Macbeth could have received this treatment, her mental state and well-being could have gotten better.
Ultimately, Lady Macbeth can be diagnosed with both borderline personality disorder and bipolar personality disorder. Evidence above shows that Lady Macbeth was mentally ill and was in need of help. She has distinct characteristics of each disorder and eventually committed suicide, showing she was very ill. It is noted that borderline personality disorder is often times paired with other mental disorders, in this case, bipolar disorder.