A close evaluation of the Character and actions of Lady Macbeth Essay

This is an evaluation of Lady Macbeth, in this I aim to cover some points about her character and actions throughout her existing part in the literature. Firstly we can see that she has big plans for Macbeth to kill Duncan in order for him to become king of Scotland, the way she tries to tempt him is also interesting, with such a lines as â€Å"look like th’ innocent flower, but serpent under’t† Which is basically saying that he must act all innocent but is actually going to kill Duncan, this shows how she is cunning, and plotting treason for her husband and herself. Then we come to her encouraging him to kill Duncan, she does this by attacking his manhood, by claiming he is a coward this can be seen in a quote such as â€Å"and live a coward in thine own esteem, letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon ‘I would’ like the poor cat i’ th’ adage?† This is just Lady Macbeth telling Macbeth that he is a coward and is afraid of his own self, which Macbeth is quite enraged about and decides to follow through with the plan and kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth then takes it upon her self to apply pressure on Macbeth to kill Duncan. This can be seen by her use of persuasive language to convince him that everything will go according to plan. † What not put upon his spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt of our great quell?† This is Lady Macbeth reassuring Macbeth at the fact that they can frame, quite easily, the chamberlains of Duncan. This is show’s her unquenchable thirst for Macbeth to become king is emerging strongly. She then helps to plan their reaction the morning after the brutal elimination of Duncan and how they can pass the blame onto the guards. The quote â€Å"Who dares receive it other, as we shall make our griefs and clamour roar upon his death?† These words are Lady Macbeth saying, â€Å"Who would dare to think otherwise about the guards killing Duncan, when we make it look as if we had no idea about it and act so shocked on the discovery of his body that we make a big fuss about it ?† However, all of the above may seem like she is in control, but she doesn’t actually carry out the murder, this could be for a few reasons, these are: If the murder went wrong it would be Macbeth how would be directly guilty and so leave her in the clear, she could have also been scared to do it for the simple fact that she wouldn’t be able to (mentally). She may not want to get involved because if Macbeth’s mental state and grip on reality slipped, then she would go down with him if she got involved so she would have to keep a strong head for both of them. These reasons can reflect many of her personalities such as being quite selfish and letting Macbeth get caught for the murder if it went wrong, but it also shows that she knows if she does it that she may start losing her grip upon reality, this makes it clear that she has awareness of her capabilities in respects to murder. After the murder of Duncan, Macduff discovers that Duncan is dead and has been murdered, Macbeth responds to this in a manner of rage and shock and then proceeds to slay the two chamberlains that Macbeth covered in Duncan’s blood and their daggers after the murder. He does this perhaps out of rage or possibly for cover to hide his conspiracy with is wife, perhaps to make her pleased that he can think on the spot. This however leads to Lady Macbeth fainting, whether this is due to the fact that she is also covering up her involvement with the murder, or sheer shock from hearing that Macbeth has killed the two chamberlains. Either way it means she is already trying to wash her hands from the murder. But it does appear to work, as they are concerned for her health rather than her participation to the murder. Also just before Macduff may have the chance to question her she cries for help, this once again shows of her quick thinking and cover of her part in the murder. In conclusion Lady Macbeth is one of the most controversial characters. She can be viewed, as a woman of strong will who is ambitious for herself and who is perceptive enough to recognise her husband’s strengths and weaknesses, and callous enough to exploit them. We see her in her commitment to evil and in her realisation that the acquirement of the Kingship of her husband has not brought her the happiness she had aspired for, and finally, as one who breaks down under the anxiety of the murder. Others see her as a woman ambitious for her husband whom she loves. She recognises the essential good in him, and feels that, without her, he will never win the Crown. She allies herself with the powers of darkness for his sake, but her congenital femininity breaks down under the strain of the unnatural murder of Duncan and the alienation of her husband. She is seen as simple and realistic where Macbeth is complicated and imaginative. She can see what must be done as he visualises the consequence.