Lady Macbeth Guilt Essay

Jasmine Szucs

1-16-2015

English 2

Ms. Martin

Lady Macbeth: Consequences of Unrequited Guilt

The Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth emphasizes the important and unanticipated effect of guilt through the murders of Duncan and Banquo. Lady Macbeth is a heinous and overly ambitious woman. Her desire for authority debilitates her ability to distinguish between right and wrong. As a result, she loses her integrity by concocting a grandiose plan to execute two honored noblemen. As she witnesses the mentally degrading effects of guilt within the mind of Macbeth, the negative power of guilt grows within her as well. When Lady Macbeth's prestige is at its peak, her growing ambition for power corrupts her morals and results in her conversion into a ruthless

murderer whose guilt ultimately leads to suicide.
In a letter received from her husband by Lady Macbeth, Macbeth informs his wife that the witches have prophesied that he will be King.

Lady Macbeth's enthusiasm towards the prophecy reveals herself to have strikingly unscrupulous qualities. Her first inclination is to take matters into her own hands, by doing whatever it takes to make the prophecy become a reality. However, she feels that Macbeth, although ambitious, is not as relentless as she is. She fears that "... thy nature, it is too full o' the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it." (I.V.16-20). Lady Macbeth knows that her husband is ambitious, but she fears that Macbeth is not merciless enough for the guilt associated with their plan to gain the

throne.
As Lady Macbeth and Macbeth act on their plot to murder King Duncan, forcing the realization of the prophecy, Macbeth shows signs of cold feet. If Lady Macbeth does not believe that Macbeth has enough desire to act on the plot, it is not clear why Lady Macbeth does not kill Duncan herself. While anxiously waiting for the return of Macbeth from Duncan's chamber, Lady Macbeth states, "Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done 't." (II.II.16-17). The resemblance between Duncan and Lady Macbeth's father causes a hesitation in the murder of Duncan. This scene shows the first signs of emotion and guilt associated with murder by Lady Macbeth.
Until Act V, Macbeth has been tormented with visions and nightmares while Lady Macbeth has disparaged him for this weakness.

Moreover, the murders have also devastated Lady Macbeth in her subconscious state. While sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth exemplifies the theme of washing and cleansing. She urges Macbeth to murder Duncan and Banquo, but then deludes herself into believing that "A little water will clear us of the deed."(II.III.86). In the first scene of Act V, Lady Macbeth washes her hands profusely knowing that "These hands will ne'er be clean." (V.I.45-46). Her bizarre behavior reveals a dramatic change in her emotional state. The blood on Lady Macbeth's hands symbolizes the overwhelming sense of guilt that she was only able to release my terminating her own

existence.
Lady Macbeth is a tenacious partner and supports Macbeth's ascension to the throne, that is, until she becomes unstable. Her quest for power within the kingdom causes Lady Macbeth along with Macbeth to eventually loose sight of reality within their own lives. The emotional damage as demonstrated by Lady Macbeth's behavior shows that she has become a victim of her own guilt. Nonetheless, Lady Macbeth’s crucial role enhances the maturation of the plot, and shows how the effect of self-condemnation can lead to the inevitability of her demise. Towards the end of the play, Lady Macbeth finally realizes that the attainment of her crown has not brought her happiness, but only unremitting guilt.