Lady Macbeth Quotes

Macbeth is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, based on the themes of ambition, revenge and conflict. Determined to become King after hearing the Witches’ prophesies, Macbeth is intent on fulfilling them. Lady Macbeth plays a vital role during the play, as she persuades and encourages Macbeth to fulfil his ambition. During this critical evaluation I will explore the changing roles of both characters and analyse the true nature of their intent. I will also comment on how fully I agree with Malcom’s statement: “This dead Butcher, and his fiend-like Queen”.

In this quote, Malcom is referring to Macbeth as a “dead butcher”, implying he is a cold killer who has no remorse for others. He refers to Lady Macbeth has a “fiend-like Queen”

implying she is an evil and demonic person. Although Macbeth did show an insensitive and indifferent attitude to the murders of many during his reign as King I do not agree a “dead butcher” is an accurate or fair depiction of him. Macbeth had previously shown great courage, nobility and honour and this statement completely bypasses these great qualities. However a “fiend-like Queen” is a more fitting, and fair representation of Lady Macbeth. It was Lady Macbeth who introduced the heinous plan to murder the King in their home to Macbeth, I believe Lady Macbeth drove the evilness and encouraged and persuaded Macbeth into committing the crime.

At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a loyal and noble solider, he is also the powerful Thane of Glamis.

He was living is prosperous circumstances with Lady Macbeth and receives the title of Thane of Cawdor in recognition of his efforts and nobleness. He was not a butcher, he was a courageous and loyal man who highly respected his king. When Macbeth received his new title and heard the prophecies of the witches he wrote to Lady Macbeth telling her the news. Lady Macbeth immediately devised a plan to murder Duncan to fulfil the Witches’ prophesies – that Macbeth will become King. However Lady Macbeths knew her plan may not work as her husband is too kind and loyal especially to the King. Lady Macbeth says “Yet do I fear thy nature; Is it too full o’th’ milk of human Kindness” (Act 1, Scene 5). Lady Macbeth knew it would be difficult to persuade her husband into murdering the King even though he had great ambition. He may have been able to slaughter people on the battlefield but he had great respect and love for the King and his friends and Lady Macbeth knew

this.

As mentioned before Lady Macbeth’s fiend-like qualities began to show when the letter arrived. She seemed to show hatred towards being a Woman and in her famous soliloquy she said “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst courtesy” (Act 1, scene 5) This would suggest she believes that being a women and traditionally having a sensitive and caring role stops her from committing which makes her angry. Furthermore she said “Make thick my blood, stop up th’ access and passage to remorse…” She wants any barriers removed and wishes to be capable of feeling no remorse or guilt for the murder she wants her husband to commit. Lady Macbeth is wishing to have no emotion and feel no guilt which makes her more of a butcher than Macbeth.

In Scene 1, Act 7 Macbeth is yet again seen to counter the image of a “dead butcher”. He says “First, I am his kinsman and his subject – strong both against the deed”, Macbeth does not believe it is right to kill his King and cousin. He says “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only my vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and on the other…” He then continues to compare his ambition to riding a horse, he has no reason to jump high on his horse, and likewise he has no reason to kill his King. This clearly shows Macbeth cannot be a “dead butcher” as if he was he wouldn’t be stopping to think about his action, or feel any remorse or sympathy for the King. Instead he would be heartlessly killing him as butchery is not a thought provoking action, it’s done senselessly.

At this point Lady Macbeth uses her power, knowing the weaknesses of Macbeth.

She uses her knowledge to finally change his swaying feelings about carrying out the murder of Duncan. She says “ To be the same in thine own act an valour as thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that which thou esteems’t the ornament of life, and life a coward in thine own esteem…”(Act 1, Scene 7). This is her attacking Macbeth’s bravery and honour, she also called him cowardly which had probably never happened before. She is provoking him to do the terrible deed in order to prove his courage and honour. Lady Macbeths true nature shows when she makes the comment that “I would, while it (her baby) 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 1, Scene 7). It’s unlikely any human would say this, revealing her fiend like attributes. No true mother could ever cause her to her baby like

that.