Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth is the most interesting and complex character in the play. She is, in fact, the point on which the action pivots: without her there is no play.

Macbeth’s most interesting and complex character is most certainly, as the question states, Lady Macbeth. The purpose of this essay is to describe Lady Macbeth’s role in the play and discuss why this makes her the most fascinating character. Her evil doings are the main reasons why she dominates the plot so greatly. These include the following: considers Macbeth to be a wimp not wanting to murder; letting Macbeth fulfill her plan; taking control over Macbeth’s thoughts and actions; turning Macbeth from a loyal man to a greedy, coldhearted human being. Also Lady Macbeth’s transformation in character and her relationship with Macbeth contribute to her importance.

Lady Macbeth satisfies her role among the high society and is well respected like her husband. The King of Scotland, King Duncan, calls her “our honoured hostess.” She shows great affection towards Macbeth but at the same time very ambitious, as shown by her reaction to the prophecies given to him. She immediately decides that “the fastest way” for Macbeth to become king is to murder King Duncan.

When Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecies given to her husband her true character is exposed for the audience to see. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to go and make the prophecy true that he will become king. Macbeth‘s thoughts on the prophecy before his wife’s intervention was that “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir”, this meaning Macbeth thought the prophecy would become reality without him doing anything. Lady Macbeth tells her husband that “Is too full of the human kindness” which means she considers him to be a “wimp” and that she’ll have to do it all herself. Lady Macbeth’s actions shape the first two acts which proves she is the point on which the action pivots.

Lady Macbeth continues to convince and persuade Macbeth into thinking her plan will pay off. Eventually Macbeth decides against the murder of his king but Lady Macbeth shames him for not being able to murder, threatening to take away her love from him if he does not. This threat shocks Macbeth into saying “yes”. Lady Macbeth outlines her plan to kill King Duncan while asleep as a guest in their castle.

Macbeth had the dagger in his hand ready to kill the King but he just could not do it until the King started waking up, it was then he knew he had no choice. He regrets his actions afterwards, "But where fore could not I pronounce 'Amen'? / I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen' / Stuck in my throat" which is proof that he never was willing to kill the King but Lady Macbeth assures him “a little water will wash away their guilt”. Macbeth having killed the King eventually kills several others to cover his tracks. This proves Lady Macbeth transformed her husband by saying things such as “Are you a man?” She made him feel at fault so things could be done her way. If it weren’t for Lady Macbeth, Macbeth would have never have killed anyone. This story of Lady Macbeth’s manipulation of her husband makes her the most outstanding and complex character in the play.

After the murder Lady Macbeth starts to feel paranoid about her blood stained hands. Even though the blood had been washed away the guilt she had on her shoulders made her think people knew what she had done and she became