Is Lady Mac Beth the real driving force behind the murder of Duncan?

Macbeth is then informed of Malcolm being the new Prince of Cumberland so he realizes that he has an obstacle in the way before he can become king "For in my way it lies. Stars hide your fires! Let not light see my dark and deep desires".

Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth about the prophecies. Lady Macbeth after reading the letter has dark and deep desires. She then calls upon her spirits "unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty". Lady Macbeth has a great deal of ambition and starts to encourage Macbeth into doing the murder at an early start.

Macbeth then approaches Lady Macbeth "My direst love Duncan comes here to-night". Macbeth talks to Lady Macbeth about the news that he has received and that we will speak further in this business. Lady Macbeth then takes responsibility of sorting out things "Leave all the rest to me".

Macbeth has an opportunity after dinner to reflect about the slaying of his king. Macbeth knows it is a to bigger leap for him "which o'er-leap itself and falls on the other". Macbeth then makes a firm decision that he will not precede any further in this business. Lady Macbeth calls him a coward, insults his virility and claims that she would fulfil her duty if she had promised like Macbeth has, as she says:

"I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluck'd my nipple from his

Boneless gums, and dash'd the brains out, had I sworn as you have done to this"

Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth into doing the murder by the insults he gets from his wife. Macbeth and his persuasive wife discuss how they will carry out the murder and how they will act when they receive the news of King Duncan's death.

Macbeth meets Banquo & Fleance in the courtyard, Banquo advances to Macbeth and asks "What, sir! Not yet at rest?", Macbeth converses with Banquo for a short time until Banquo enquires "I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters: to you they have show'd some truth", Macbeth lies to Banquo "I think not of them". Macbeth starts to suspect banquo is suspicious that Macbeth is up to sumthing, so Macbeth decides to kill Banquo further on in the play. When Banquo leaves Macbeth, he starts to talk his mind (soliloquy), this happens just before the play. The bell rings and Macbeth leaves to to do the evil deed.

Macbeth following the murder goes to Lady Macbeth and tells her that he has completed the deed. Lady Macbeth tries to sooth him about what ha has done but then notices that Macbeth has still got the daggers. Lady Macbeth exclaims "why did you bring these daggers from the place?" Macbeth replies "I'll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done;" Lady Macbeth insults for not completing his duty and calls him a coward. She says:

"Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but pictures; 'tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I'll guilt the face of the grooms withal; for it must seem their guilt."

Lady Macbeth leaves the place to finish the murder. Macbeth is devastated with the sight of his hands "what hands are! Ha! They pluck out mine eyes." Macbeth stats "Will all great neptunes ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?"

Lady Macbeth returns from her business and stats "my hands are of your colour, but I shame to wear a heart so white as yours" Lady Macbeth insults him again for his manhood and insult him by saying that if I had a heart so pure and as good as yours, I would have shame in me.

Lady Macbeth then hears the knocking and tells Macbeth to change into his nightgown so it looks like we have been asleep. Macbeth then remarks "Wake Duncan with the knocking! I would thou couldst!"

I conclude that Lady Macbeth is the real driving force behind Macbeth as we have seen in several places and how she convinces him to carryout the murder. Lady Macbeth had plenty of ambition and her ambition was to force macbeth into doig the deed.