Reality Behind Lady Macbeth: The Reality Behind Lady Macbeth

The Reality behind Lady Macbeth

In the play, “Macbeth”, the character that stands out the most is Lady Macbeth. Her role in this story is significant; Lady Macbeth is an immoral, ruthless and ambitious person who will do whatever it takes for power. She is responsible for the murders that her husband commits due to her own greed and desire for power. Lady Macbeth becomes more eager to get the crown than Macbeth himself and soon realizes that once you commit one violent act, there is no way of turning back. An analysis of Lady Macbeth reveals that she is a powerful character who adds complexity and depth to the play about murder, insanity and revenge.

Due to Lady Macbeth’s ambition to become queen, she persuades her husband to murder king Duncan. She calls Macbeth a coward, believing that he is not worthy enough to match his actions with his wishes telling him “Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire?”(I.vii.39-40). Lady Macbeth is trying to reveal the evil within her husband; she wants to provoke him into committing a murder so that Macbeth will be devoted to gaining control of Scotland. She is aware that she has control over her husband which she is using against him. Macbeth does not tolerate being disrespected by his own wife, he states “I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more is none. “ (I.vii.46) to Macbeth his wife’s judgment is very important and he is determined to prove his strength. This shows Lady Macbeth’s manipulative influence against Macbeth and how she can use his emotions to achieve her own desires. Once her husband has decided to go through with the plan to kill Duncan, careful preparation is accounted for by Lady Macbeth, which is something she seems to d...

... middle of paper ...

...overriding all his protests; when he hesitates to murder; she constantly questions his manhood until he feels that he must murder to prove himself. Lady Macbeth’s notable strength of will endures through the murder of the king. It is Lady Macbeth who calms her husband’s nerves after the crime has been perpetrated. Near the end of the act she begins a slow slide into madness. Ambition affects Lady Macbeth much more than Macbeth before the murders, as does guilt more strongly afterwards. Lady Macbeth has been sleepwalking through the castle, urgently attempting to wash away the invisible bloodstain that has marked her conscience. Once the sense of guilt overcomes her ability to function and her sensitivity becomes a weakness and she is unable to cope a result of this is Lady Macbeth suicide. Representing her inability to deal with her as well as Macbeth’s crimes.