Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

"A little water clears us of this deed," (2.2.66). That is the quote of a strong woman, Lady Macbeth. In Shakespeare's play, Lady Macbeth goes through mental changes. The events that occur have much effect on her and her personality. We are able to see how she changes throughout the play. As well, Lady Macbeth has a strong relationship with her husband in the beginning, which changes from the events that occur. Momentous events have a significant amount of effect on our personality and on our relationships with others.

When Lady Macbeth first appears in the play, she has just received the news of the witches' prophecies. We immediately see that she is a strong woman. We see that Lady Macbeth is very capable of doing the evil that must be done to achieve the ultimate goal. Lady Macbeth says:

Come, you spirits

That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,

And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full

Of direst cruelty! (1.5.38-41)

She is asking for the strength to commit the murder. Lady Macbeth wants to appear strong. She asks Macbeth to leave everything to her. "And you shall put / This night's great business into my dispatch;" (1.7.65-66). Shortly after the murder Lady Macbeth shows the strength that she has. "The sleeping and the dead / Are but as pictures" (2.2.52-53). She says she is not afraid and she goes back to frame the chamberlains. Lady Macbeth shows self-control (Howard). While Macbeth is having his fit at the banquet, she covers for him, and stays calm. She thinks quickly on her feet (Howard). "My Lord is often thus, / And hath been from his youth" (3.4.53-54). Lady Macbeth also asks for the ability to feel no remorse from doing the evil deed:

Make thick my blood,

Stop up th' access and passage to remorse,

That no compunctious visitings of nature

Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between

Th' effect and it! (1.5.41-45)

She knows that if she can feel