Lady Macbeth by TK, Liz, Vicky, Vishnu

Lady Macbeth is most commonly known for her role in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. She is the wife to the play’s protagonist, Macbeth who is a Scottish nobleman. The character’s historical origins lie in the accounts of Kings Duff and Duncan in Holinshed’s Chronicles (1587). Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth is a composite of two totally separate and distinct personages in Holinshed’s work. According to the account of King Duff, she is Donwald’s nagging, murderous wife. However on the other hand, King Duncan portrays her as Macbeth’s ambitious wife.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The character of Lady Macbeth has often been described as malevolent, influential, ambitious and cold blooded. She is portrayed as a malicious character that would do anything and everything to achieve here selfish lust-driven goals. This portrayal of her personality is confirmed when she insults Macbeth’s masculinity forcing him to lose all confidence in himself in order for him to commit regicide. Lady Macbeth has also been described as quite a “masculine character”. Lady Macbeth is a misogynist who despises women and dreams to become a man in order to fulfill her lust for killing. A flattering quote from Macbeth confirms her dream to be a man by telling her that she has such undaunted courage that she could only have male children and never females.

In comparison to records of historical Lady Macbeth, historically known as “Gruoch”, the character of Lady Macbeth is by far much more cold-blooded and ambitious. The character of Lady Macbeth loses interest in her relationship with Macbeth as the play progresses, as she begins to become more indulged in her own affairs. However historical records portray Grouch as a loyal lover who did anything and everything to aid Macbeth even seeking aid from witches.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lady Macbeth is said to be quite masculine, and she, herself, desires to be a man to kill the King herself. Otherwise, her character is ignored greatly after her part in the killing of the King, until the last act where she is said to have committed suicide off-stage.

Lady Macbeth is seen as a ruthless character who aims to satisfy one’s selfish desires of great status and power. Her greed for power and evil actions drives her to certain extents where murder is a necessary key for her plan to succeed.

"The words of the three Weird Sisters also (of whom before ye have heard) greatly encouraged him hereunto; but especially his wife lay sore upon him to attempt the thing, as she was very ambitious, burning with an unquenchable desire to bear the name of a queen."
- Holinshed’s version.

She is a loving wife and upon hearing word of the three Weird Sister’s prophecy, is eager for her husband, Macbeth, to become King. She plots Duncan’s murder as she believes it will make Macbeth King, and her Queen. She is understanding and knows her husband well as she foresees Macbeth’s reaction towards the murder of Duncan. At first, Macbeth refuses to kill Duncan, but Lady Macbeth insults his manhood and his love for her, forcing him to carry out the murder.

In the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are devoted to each other. E.g. Macbeth addresses his wife as ‘My dearest love.’ Macbeth respects his wife and is easily manipulated by her. Lady Macbeth is considered a far more ambitious and daunting character than Macbeth. She is committed to her purpose as she calls on to be stripped of her femininity. Through manipulation, Lady Macbeth is able to achieve her goals without her doing the actual killing. She would have killed King Duncan if he had not reminded her of her father. Towards the end of the play, their relationship drifts apart and their roles switches. Lady Macbeth becomes weak as she has trouble with her conscience. She sleepwalks at night and washes imaginary blood from her hands. Wracked with guilt, she cannot handle it any longer and kills herself.