Preview

Lady Macbeth

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1014 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
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

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Unlike Macbeth, the knowledge of the prediction, makes Lady Macbeth confident in her husbands future, and her desire for the throne strengthens and so does her impatiences. She believed her husband’s nature was ‘too full o' th' milk of human kindness’ to assassinate his own monarch and interpreted it, is a weakness. The controlling, Lady Macbeth manipulated Macbeth into submission by stating ‘When you durst do it, then you are a man’ to emasculate his character. Without Lady Macbeth’s persuasive ability, Macbeth would have never undertaken the unlawful murder of King Duncan and the unethical rise to the crown. Lady Macbeth was unable to control Macbeth, as he continued the heinous crimes of ‘Murder most foul’ throughout his rule. Lady Macbeth realises that her ‘desire was got without content’ as the consequences of their murderous actions, where met with remorse and insanity. Overwhelmed with guilt, the audience is able to witness Lady Macbeth fade in to the background, as Macbeth’s overshadowing, corrupt rule, grows. Through his wife’s ambition, greed and manipulation Macbeth’s morals are destroyed and his downfall as a person and a monarch becomes…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth becomes extremely irrational from the beginning of the play to the end. She pictures herself as a ruthlessness person and believes she can handle the evil that comes along with murder and deception. At the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth is seen as a dominant, controlling, heartless wife with an obsession to become royalty for her and her husband. Although she is supposed to be ruthless, her husband sees her as a good person that knows what is right.…

    • 566 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Lady Macbeth has been described as one of the most powerful and complex female characters in Literature and perhaps one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragic heroines.…

    • 2444 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    “Of all Shakespeare's female characters Lady Macbeth stands out far beyond the rest — remarkable for her ambition, strength of will, cruelty, and dissimulation” (Traits of Lady). Lady Macbeth is usually viewed as an interesting character because of her notable traits. Her cruelty, cunning, and manipulation certainly contribute to one’s fascination with her. However, equally intriguing are Lady Macbeth’s notorious views she possesses. The unyielding views Lady Macbeth holds on manhood, womanhood, and guilt greatly affect her life.…

    • 937 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To add, Lady Macbeth is one of those characters whom add depth and complexity to a rather simple play; her role to portray a bloodthirsty and evil woman rather than a stereotypical and delicate…

    • 259 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mac Beth Essay

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Macbeth is a determined man and has great qualities as a human being at the beginning. However, Macbeth is weak minded, and his will can be easily swayed which contributes to his undoing. Lady Macbeth is just one of the many characters who astray Macbeth’s heart. Due to his lack of sensibility and rectitude, he is unraveled to his very end. Macbeth is to take full responsibility for the tragedies that take place among the innocent lives, which were dealt the wrong hand of fate, during his conquest for complete power.…

    • 666 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the first two acts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth shows herself to be a formidable woman with aspirations and a plan. She is clear about her desire to become Queen of Scotland and by way of her internal conversation, she plans her manipulation. By knowingly manipulating Macbeth and applying consistent pressure, Lady Macbeth executes her plan. She encourages Macbeth to see killing King Duncan as the only logical next step to fulfill the prophecy. Lady Macbeth’s intent, blatant disregard for life, and emotional manipulation of her husband make her morally responsible for the murder of King…

    • 803 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Masculinity In Macbeth

    • 613 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Lady Macbeth, dictates and influences Macbeth until she fulfills her selfish desires. Her actions, cause the play to give unexpected turns, As…

    • 613 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Macbeth starts to doubt whether he wants to kill king Duncan and almost talks himself out of it. Lady Macbeth quickly interferers and takes control of the situation and becoming the dominant role, this is important because in the times of the book women would normal (and nearly always) been told what to do by the man of the house hold and been made to cook and look after the children, so lady Macbeth taking charge of the situation shows her courage and somewhat Macbeth weakness not to stand up to his wife. She uses his manhood and pride against him saying he is not strong enough to kill king Duncan. After the conversation with lady Macbeth, Macbeth is persuaded to go ahead with the killing and lady Macbeth's plan on how it will happen.…

    • 849 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The effect of Lady Macbeth’s ambition and compassion towards her devoted husband is immediately shown in the first scene of which she appears. When she receives a letter from Macbeth informing her on his meeting with the three witches, who they promise him that he will be king. This is, in Lady Macbeth’s eyes, his rightful position and by her first words, ‘Glamis art thou cawdor/ and shalt be what thou art promised’ makes us instantly recognise that she will stop at nothing to make sure that he gets what she feels Macbeth deserves.…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the play Macbeth, the first introduction to Lady Macbeth in Act 1 scene 5 provides the reader with a great deal of insight into her character. After her speech, we know that Lady Macbeth is ambitious; however she’s also ruthless and possesses a dark soul. Lady Macbeth craves a power only attainable through manipulation because of societal gender roles of the era. Lady Macbeth is a very dynamic, yet daunting, female character in this play and ultimately molds the viewpoint of Macbeth.…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Shakespeare, who was a writer born in Stratford-upon-Avon created many different plays, in which he always portrayed the woman as the “bad guy.” He was born in 1564 and he was a writer, actor and a dramatist. He wrote many plays, mostly revolving around tragedy such as: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth. Shakespeare was a respected poet, and writer who received recognition after he passed away, April 23rd. 1616. One of Shakespeare’s well-known tragic plays ``Macbeth`` describes how a greedy woman second guesses her husband’s manhood and convinces him to murder a King and take his place. The characters in this play make the readers` think the women back in the day were greedy, selfish and conniving. Lady Macbeth, who plays one of the most impacted roles, is described as a woman who second guesses her husband`s manhood and forces him to commit a crime due to a prophecy from three witches. Lady Macbeth starts off greedy, but then she starts to feel guilty about all the things she has made her husband do. Lady Macbeth`s character is responsible for the evil doings of Macbeth because she convinces Macbeth that he isn`t capable of anything, she makes him feel vulnerable but she controls him after the murder and she uses his love for her to achieve her selfish goals.…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This quote shows the way Lady Macbeth takes complete control over Macbeth. Lady Macbeth continues to persuade Macbeth into her evil plan to be able to succeed in the attempt for Macbeth to become king. This quote also gives the impression that she’s hiding some parts of her cruel plan from him so that he only has to worry about murdering King Duncan. She’s hiding the background of the actual situation. This is one of the most powerful quotes said by…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lady Macbeth's character is painted in the segment of her reading of the letter in Act 1, Scene 5. She is presented full of lust for power and manipulative, using her cunning to get what she wants.In the letter. Macbeth writes to Lady Macbeth of his promotion to thane of Glamis and Cawdor, the Weird sisters, and the witches prophecies of him being king. She knows he is too moral and ethical to act on his ambition and chance to be king. She vows he will get what is rightfully his and will go to any measure, take any provisions to see to his crowning. She starts plotting the murder of King Duncan. Conspiring upon the messengers announcement of the arrival of the King, she states; “That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements.” (Act 1, Scene 5) Her lust for power, driving her to dirty and aggressive methods, shows she has little…

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Lady Macbeth

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages

    We receive advice from someone just about everyday. Rather its good or bad , right or wrong , or easy or difficult. The best advice I have ever received would have to that life goes on. Because it's true, no matter what mistakes you make in life. Life will go on.…

    • 382 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays