Character Analysis Of Lady Macbeth

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Macbeth is a dramatic play penned by British playwright William Shakespeare, and set in medieval Scotland. Macbeth tells the story of the journey of a commander who seeks to become king. Macbeth, a prominent Scot, receives a prophecy from three witches foretelling that he is to ascend to the throne. His wife, Lady Macbeth appears to support Macbeth initially, but then she gradually fades away from his side. Over time, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters transform tremendously in nature. Macbeth grows to resemble his power-hungry wife, meanwhile, Lady Macbeth herself appears to grow more guilt-ridden. At the onset, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as someone who is determined to obtain the throne, whereas Macbeth is less desiring of the throne. Lady …show more content…

Killing King Duncan leaves Macbeth with profound guilt. Ironically, this guilt is not everlasting as Macbeth plunges into a murdering spree. The shock of the murder leaves Macbeth in a state of moral quandary where he is not able to initially accept credit for committing regicide. At one point he even struggles to say the word “Amen” but has no problem saying “God bless us” (Shakespeare 2.2.31-32). Eventually, he embraces who he has become, and begins to exhibit growing paranoia and blood rage. Macbeth embarks on a killing spree that leaves many dead in his path to take the throne. After the death of King Duncan and his two guards, Macbeth proceeds to kill Banquo, Lady Macduff, Macduff’s children, and even attempts to kill Fleance. In contrast, as Macbeth becomes more rapacious, Lady Macbeth ironically evolves in the opposite direction. It seems as though Lady Macbeth is more affected by the murder of King Duncan than she initially …show more content…

At first, Lady Macbeth was assertive while Macbeth was easily manipulated. Lady Macbeth’s transformation occurs ironically, while Macbeth’s happens as a consequence of the circumstances he finds himself in. In contrast to Lady Macbeth, Macbeth grew to be so power-hungry that he became a ruthless murderer. Lady Macbeth struggled to reconcile the darkness of her own past with who her husband had become after the murder of King Duncan. This tremendous conflict lead her to withdraw from him and from health itself. Lady Macbeth’s condition gradually declines as the play concludes and she ends her life with suicide. In a way, they both reveal signs of mental illness, Macbeth became a murderous psychopath and Lady Macbeth grew depressed due to Macbeth’s actions. Lady Macbeth devolved from an ambitious wife to a suicidal queen, while her husband transformed from a hesitating commander into a murderous

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