Lady Macbeth

Definition

Lady Macbeth is a central character in William Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth,' known for her ambition and pivotal role in influencing her husband's descent into tyranny and madness. Her fierce desire for power and willingness to manipulate those around her showcase the darker aspects of human nature and have made her an enduring symbol of ambition and moral corruption in literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lady Macbeth famously invokes dark spirits in Act 1, Scene 5, asking to be unsexed and filled with cruelty, highlighting her desire to cast aside feminine weakness.
2. Her manipulation of Macbeth is pivotal; she questions his masculinity and bravery to spur him into committing regicide against King Duncan.
3. As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth's initial strength deteriorates, leading to guilt-induced madness, culminating in her tragic suicide.
4. Her character challenges contemporary gender roles by exhibiting traits traditionally associated with masculinity, such as ambition and ruthlessness.
5. Lady Macbeth's iconic sleepwalking scene in Act 5 serves as a powerful representation of her guilt and mental unraveling, as she tries to wash away imagined bloodstains from her hands.

Review Questions

• How does Lady Macbeth's character contribute to the theme of ambition in 'Macbeth'?
  • Lady Macbeth significantly enhances the theme of ambition in 'Macbeth' through her relentless pursuit of power. Her strong influence over Macbeth ignites his own ambitions, pushing him towards heinous acts to fulfill their aspirations. This dynamic showcases how unchecked ambition can lead to moral decay and ultimately tragedy.
• Analyze the transformation of Lady Macbeth's character from the beginning to the end of the play.
  • At the beginning of 'Macbeth,' Lady Macbeth is portrayed as ambitious and ruthless, actively pushing her husband to commit murder for power. However, as the play progresses, her mental state deteriorates due to overwhelming guilt and remorse over their actions. This transformation illustrates the psychological consequences of ambition and moral corruption, highlighting that even the strongest characters can succumb to their inner demons.
• Evaluate Lady Macbeth's role as a catalyst for Macbeth's actions and discuss how this reflects on gender dynamics within the play.
  • Lady Macbeth serves as a crucial catalyst for Macbeth's rise and fall, showcasing a complex interplay between gender dynamics in Shakespeare's time. Her manipulation challenges traditional gender roles by presenting a woman who is more ambitious than her husband. This inversion complicates notions of masculinity and femininity, suggesting that ambition transcends gender while also highlighting the destructive consequences of such ambition on both characters.

Related terms

Macbeth:

The protagonist of Shakespeare's play, a Scottish nobleman whose ambition, spurred by prophecy and Lady Macbeth, leads him to murder King Duncan and ultimately causes his downfall.

Ambition: A strong desire to achieve power or success, which drives both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth throughout the play, ultimately leading to their tragic ends.

Guilt: A recurring theme in 'Macbeth,' manifesting prominently in Lady Macbeth's character as she grapples with the consequences of her actions, leading to her eventual madness.