Study of Lady Macbeth - Changes through the play.

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Study of Lady Macbeth

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.
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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 ...

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