Analysis: What Kind Of A Woman Is Lady Macbeth Truly
Cody A. Thompson
Vanessa Dean
British Literature 12
6 January 2016
What Kind of a Woman is Lady Macbeth Truly?
Lady Macbeth is one strange character. In the beginning of the play, the readers experience a very blood-thirsty, power-hungry woman. As the story unfolds, one can observe that Lady Macbeth slowly loses the power and authority she seemed to originally radiate. At some point in the story, Lady Macbeth’s conscience gets the best of her and ultimately leads her to her somewhat accidental death. What happened to the unruly and driven woman that first appeared? Was it a guilty conscience? Was she scared her husband because of the power he had obtained?
It appears to be quite obvious that Lady Macbeth doubts her husband’s ability to rule.
In Act 1, Scene 5, she receives a letter from Macbeth stating what the witches had prophesied about him being Thane of Cawdor and Glamis, as well as being king. As soon as she finished reading the letter, Lady Macbeth proceeds to insult Macbeth’s attributes, stating that he is far too kind, and not nearly cruel enough to rule. A servant enters the room telling Lady Macbeth that a messenger of Macbeth had just arrived, informing her that Macbeth is coming to their castle, along with King Duncan. Immediately, Lady Macbeth begins to pray that she would be filled with murderous thoughts, to make her more like a man, and to fill her with cruelty so that nothing can stop her from committing an act of murder. This woman appears to be as sinister as the devil!
In Act 2, Scene 2, readers see that Lady Macbeth’s heart softened ever so slightly.
Vanessa Dean
British Literature 12
6 January 2016
What Kind of a Woman is Lady Macbeth Truly?
Lady Macbeth is one strange character. In the beginning of the play, the readers experience a very blood-thirsty, power-hungry woman. As the story unfolds, one can observe that Lady Macbeth slowly loses the power and authority she seemed to originally radiate. At some point in the story, Lady Macbeth’s conscience gets the best of her and ultimately leads her to her somewhat accidental death. What happened to the unruly and driven woman that first appeared? Was it a guilty conscience? Was she scared her husband because of the power he had obtained?
It appears to be quite obvious that Lady Macbeth doubts her husband’s ability to rule.
In Act 1, Scene 5, she receives a letter from Macbeth stating what the witches had prophesied about him being Thane of Cawdor and Glamis, as well as being king. As soon as she finished reading the letter, Lady Macbeth proceeds to insult Macbeth’s attributes, stating that he is far too kind, and not nearly cruel enough to rule. A servant enters the room telling Lady Macbeth that a messenger of Macbeth had just arrived, informing her that Macbeth is coming to their castle, along with King Duncan. Immediately, Lady Macbeth begins to pray that she would be filled with murderous thoughts, to make her more like a man, and to fill her with cruelty so that nothing can stop her from committing an act of murder. This woman appears to be as sinister as the devil!
In Act 2, Scene 2, readers see that Lady Macbeth’s heart softened ever so slightly.