Lady Macbeth Changes

The Change of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play

Throughout the preliminary scenes of the tragedy the character of Macbeth is portrayed as a brave and noble soldier. He does not seem the kind of man who could come up with the ludicrous notion of committing such a horrifying act as murder. However we soon witness “brave Macbeth” rapidly propelled into the obscure world of darkness and evil. Overwhelming confirmation that Macbeth has succumbed to the witches’ prophecies arrives when Macbeth reveals “the greatest is behind”.

We also witness the transformation from a brave and admired gentleman to a traitorous villain. His downfall is caused by his strong and powerful “vaulting

The banquet scene demonstrates an unexpected revelation of Macbeth’s guilt, which is now beginning to become more public.

Macbeth soon comes to believe that it would be best if he acted before thinking about the consequences pronouncing that the “strange things I have in my head that will to hand, which must be acted ere they may be scanned” showing visibly the extreme anxiety and fear that he is feeling. These feelings are displayed further when Macbeth is so full of remorse he can no longer sleep. His “strange and self abuse is the initiate fear that wants hard use” illustrates further his beliefs that his delusions are simply the product of a beginners fear, and that he needs greater experience of evil deeds. It appears as if Macbeth is ‘addicted’ to killing.

Macbeth’s behaviour detiorates further when he is reduced to murdering innocent women and children, encouraged by his malevolent desire to intimidate and terrorise. These actions, for which he has no excuse, only further highlight the change that Macbeth has undergone from such a brave and “valiant cousin” to the character we now see before

Perhaps this is not quite the reaction one would have expected had Lady Macbeth died during the initial scenes of the play when Macbeth referred to her as “my dearest chuck”.

Macbeth’s unavoidable demise was completed with clear feelings of despondency. He states how he believes he has “lived long enough” and claims that “life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage”. The impact of his unspeakable deeds has resulted only in his longing for death.

Lady Macbeth suffers similarly and transforms from the dominant, uninhibited woman who convinced Macbeth to commit the treacherous deed of murder into a scared, tormented woman overflowing with guilt and remorse for the actions she encouraged. Subsequent to the murder she becomes mentally disturbed and increasingly deranged. Lady Macbeth is ignored by her husband and descends further and further ultimately concluding in her death.

Immediately after the murder Lady Macbeth faints, although she is described as “seeming to faint”. Was it a part of her act? If not then it seems she is already experiencing anxiety and fears about what