At the beginning of Act 2 Scene 2 Lady Macbeth is waiting for Macbeth to return from Duncan’s room. Lady Macbeth is feeling exhilarated from drinking with Duncan’s servants as part of the plot. She is also on edge and excited – “That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold.” Lady Macbeth was unable to kill Duncan because he reminded her of her father – “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.” This tells us Lady Macbeth has a bit of compassion and humanity. After having committed the murder Macbeth feels horrified and guilty. He was worried because he couldn’t pray, his soul was damned – “But could not I pronounce "Amen"? I had most need of blessing, and "Amen" Stuck in my throat.” Macbeth was worried also because he killed Duncan in his sleep – “Glamis hath murdered sleep and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more." In response to this Lady Macbeth reacts unsympathetically – “Consider it not so deeply.” Lady Macbeth then notices Macbeth has brought the daggers from the place and this infuriates her, she gets very angry with Macbeth “Infirm of purpose” she takes the daggers from him. In this scene Lady Macbeth shows a less cold side of her but she is still very controlling and unsympathetic towards Macbeth- “My hands are of your colour, but I shame to wear a heart so white.”
Up until this point Lady Macbeth has had a lot of influence over Macbeth. I don’t think Macbeth would have committed the first murder without Lady Macbeth’s involvement and influence because Macbeth was a very noble Scottish man at the start of the play. In Act 3 Scene 1 I notice the Macbeth’s relationship starting to change. Macbeth dismisses Lady Macbeth and this indicates Lady Macbeth has lost control, she has become a less strong character and Macbeth appears not to need her anymore –“We will keep ourselves to suppertime alone.”
The Macbeth’s relationship has changed throughout the play; their relationship isn’t as strong here in Act 3 Scene 2. Lady Macbeth has a lot less influence over Macbeth; she isn’t a very strong character anymore. Macbeth doesn’t go to Lady Macbeth for advice anymore this leaves Lady Macbeth feeling snubbed and left out- “How now my Lord, why do you keep alone.” When Macbeth is feeling downhearted Lady Macbeth tells him- “you must leave this.” She wants him to forget about it. Their relationship is definitely not as close and loving because Macbeth doesn’t speak of his plans to Lady Macbeth; he has become more independent and doesn’t need Lady Macbeth anymore- “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck.”
Act 3 Scene 4 is the banquet scene. Macbeth has been crowned King of Scotland but Banquo suspects foul play. Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo and Banquo’s son Fleance. Macbeth holds a banquet and he sees the bloody ghost of Banquo. Lady Macbeth protects her husband by making excuses for his behaviour – “My lord is often, thus, and hath been from his youth.” Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth the ghost is just a figment of his imagination – “This is the very painting of your fear.” I imagine Lady Macbeth is feeling concerned and worried for Macbeth, I think she would be frustrated, agitated and feeling the pressure. Lady Macbeth has lost a lot of influence over Macbeth but she still has some control over him. Macbeth has made decisions to kill Banquo and Fleance without confiding in his wife, he has also made the decision to revisit the witches for their advice. This shows Macbeth doesn’t depend on Lady Macbeth anymore- “For now I am bent to know, by the worst means.”
We don’t see Lady Macbeth again until Act 5 Scene 1. At this point Macbeth has murdered all of Macduff’s family. Macbeth did this because Macduff left to build up a battle against him. Lady Macbeth has slowly been driven into madness; she sleepwalks, talks in her sleep, needs the light on at bedtime, constantly tries to wash blood from her hands and while sleeping writes on a bit of paper and then folds it. She appears to have a very troubled mind and doesn’t seem to be just as evil and cold hearted as she did at the start of the play- “What’s done cannot be undone.” The Macbeth’s relationship isn’t really a relationship, they are much separated and Macbeth doesn’t appear to think very highly of her opinion anymore. Lady Macbeth is alone at the castle and Macbeth is preparing for battle. Macbeth doesn’t tell Lady Macbeth of his battle plans; he acts alone and independently without Lady Macbeth’s involvement. In Act 5 Scene 5 Macbeth is told Lady Macbeth is dead – “The Queen, my lord, is dead.” This is quite a shocking part of the play. Lady Macbeth started as a strong character that was very controlling, ambitious and cold hearted and by the end she seems so unimportant that we don’t even get told how she dies, her importance has gone down immensely. On hearing this Macbeth reacts with some sadness but doesn’t give a huge response as he is too distracted.
In the play Lady Macbeth is an extremely important character. Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband was very strong at the start of the play but, as the play goes on we notice Macbeth changing into a more ambitious and independent man who doesn’t need the advice of his wife.
Lady Macbeth’s control and manipulation doesn’t work on Macbeth as he realises he can make decisions for himself. Without his wife, Macbeth would not have murdered Duncan and he wouldn’t have become so obsessed with becoming King. His mind has become so tormented and corrupted because of Lady Macbeth’s manipulation and persuasion. Lady Macbeth’s character is very unusual for Shakespearean times she is ruthless, manipulative, controlling and strong. The traditional attitudes towards femininity are challenged by this character as she is nothing like a typical woman of her time. Lady Macbeth is a strong character who has had a lot of say in different situations such as the plan for Duncan’s murder.
