Study Of Lady Macbeth Essay, Research Paper
Changes through the play ???? Lady Macbeth
is the wife of Macbeth who has just come from a battle and has just been named
Thane of Cawdor. The first time we see her in the play, she receives a letter
from Macbeth talking about three witches and what they said to him. It reads
that the witches have predicted that Macbeth will be the new king. Lady Macbeth
is already of how to get rid of Duncan who is the present king. ???? Lady Macbeth is told that King Duncan
will be coming to stay at their place. She is startled by the news and calls on
evil spirits to change her and lose her femininity. ?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, make thick my blood? etc. She is saying to the evil
spirits give me murderous thoughts, make me have no sympathy for humanity at
all. ??? When King Duncan arrives at Macbeths?
house, Lady Macbeth has already thought of a plan to get rid of him. She treats
Duncan as if she is the perfect hostess and hides all her feelings better than
Macbeth. ??? Later, Macbeth has felt that he cannot go
through with it. Lady Macbeth who is very sly urges him to continue with the
murder. The words that Lady Macbeth gives him are very persuasive. She accuses
him of being a coward and makes him think he does not love her. ?Wouldst thou
have that which thou esteem?st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine
own esteem?. ??? Lady Macbeth explains her plan to Macbeth.
He is impressed and carries on with the murder. He asks her ?If we should
fail?. She says, ?We fail?? as if it is inevitable that they should succeed.
She has control over Macbeth in this part of the play. ??? ?To alter favour ever is to fear?. Lady
Macbeth says this to Macbeth. Lady Macbeth is saying that if you change your
mind, you had better watch out! ??? In Act 2 Scene 2 Lady Macbeth has prepared
for the murder and waits for Macbeth. In the Beginning of Scene 2, she has
different moods. ?That which hath? made me bold?. She sounds bold and
courageous when she says that. The next line she says is ?What hath quench them
hath given me fire, Hark! Peace?, she is startled from outside noise. She
realises it is a bird shrieking. ?It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal
bellman, which gives the stern?st good night? she says as she is relieved. ??? When Macbeth has returned from the murder
and Lady Macbeth is worrying. Macbeth then tells his wife that he has done the
deed. ??? Around this part, iambic pentameter is
being used: ?Did not you speak?? ? When?? ? Now? ? As I decended??. The words
may not be in the same line but is spoken in a sort of rhythm. All the words
spoken are spoken in fear and many questions. Lady
Macbeth later says to Macbeth ? These deeds must not be thought, after these
ways, so, it will make us mad"? She is saying to him to sort himself out,
otherwise, he will just go mad. Later, she sees he has brought back the
daggers. Lady Macbeth realises that it was a bad idea to bring them back.
Macbeth refuses to take them back to the scene so; Lady Macbeth takes the daggers
and puts them back in the bedroom. She says ?Infirm of purpose?, Give me the
daggers?. She seems to have no fear about the situation, but there seems to be
some sort of nervousness in her. Macbeth?s wife returns with blood stains all
over her hands. She points out that they both have bloodstained hands by saying,
?My hands are of your colour, but I shame, to wear a heart so white?. She makes
Macbeth feel that they are both equal to blame for the murder of Duncan. Lady
Macbeth is trying to straighten out Macbeth although he is still quite fearful.
She also mentions ?Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done?t?.
She tries to make Macbeth feel reassured and that Macbeth can justify to what
he has done. ???? Lady Macbeth does not reappear until Act
2 Scene 3. In this scene Macduff is appalled by Duncan?s death Lady Macbeth is
told of Duncan?s death but says ?What, in our house??. She seems puzzled but
not at all shocked. She does not show feelings of what a natural woman would
do. After a while Macbeth has killed the guards assumed of killing the king.
Lady Macbeth has now fainted and is taken for treatment. She has maybe because
of Macbeth?s speech that he gives, so she faints to distract attention from
him. There could be something concerning her or worrying her. It could be real
after all that she has been through, and is affected by physical weakness. ??? Macbeth is now king, but Banquo suspects
him of foul play. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth invite Banquo to a formal banquet.
Macbeth and his queen are very concerned to make their first public entrance as
impressive as possible. In Act 3 Scene 2 Lady Macbeth deals with Macbeth?s mood
of depression. Macbeth believes that they have only ?scorched the snake, not
killed it?. He cannot stop thinking about the murder, but Lady Macbeth urges
her husband to put the past behind him. She does not know that Macbeth has a
plot to kill Banquo. Macbeth has calmed down towards the end of the scene. ???? Banquo has now been murdered but Fleance
escapes. At the banquet, Macbeth is told of Banquo?s murder. He also hears of
Fleance?s escape and is very unsatisfied. Macbeth turns his attention back to
the banquet. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth ?My royal lord, you do not give the
cheer?. She is telling Macbeth to please his people as a good host should do. While
Macbeth is talking, he sees Banquo?s ghost in his seat. His reaction startles
his guests so; Lady Macbeth makes excuses for her husband. ?Sit, worthy
friends.? My lord is often thus, and hath been from his youth? are the words
that Lady Macbeth explains Macbeths? actions. The ghost disappears but reappears
again making Macbeth go insane. Banquo?s continues to haunt Macbeth, but
Macbeth insists his guests stay. Lady Macbeth urges the guests to leave. She
fears Macbeth will say too much. Lady Macbeth then tells everyone ?A kind good
night to all?. ???? After the banquet, Lady Macbeth is very
quiet. She seems tired and drained. Maybe it is because of tiredness or even
more than that. ???? By this time, Macbeth has seen the
witches again, to ask of his future. Lady Macduff has been killed with her son. ???? In Act 5 Scene 1, we see Lady Macbeth
again, but this time she has been through different moods. Lady Macbeth?s
waiting gentlewoman has called in a doctor to view Lady Macbeth?s actions in
her sleepwalking. She speaks of references concerning Duncan and Lady Macduff?s
deaths. Lady Macbeth refers to her hands that seem to have specks of blood by saying,
?Out damned spot, out I say!?. She seems haunted by what she has done. The
doctor tells the gentlewoman to call on a priest rather than a doctor and to
keep a close eye on Lady Macbeth. ???? Macbeth is now ready to fight a battle,
and hears of his wife?s? illness which cannot be explained. The doctor tells
Macbeth of his wife and says, ?Cure her of that? as if he is not concerned.
Since the murder the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth has
deteriorated and does not seem to be getting any better. ???? Macbeth has turned very confident. Seyton
brings him news that Lady Macbeth is dead. Macbeth feels drained and tells of
how she should have died older. To reflect on his wifes? life he says ?She
should have died hereafter, there would have been a time for such a word?. He
reflects upon her life, and does not hear of Lady Macbeth again. ?????
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