Lady Macbeth Character Analysis

Lady Macbeth Character Analysis

1. Characteristics

   • Power hungry
     • This theme links to her evil side, when Macbeth to her about the witches' prophecy, she was quick to plan a murder on the king
       • "But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we’ll not fail."
   • Evil
     • Lady Macbeth was quite an evil power who would go out of her way to make sure she and Macbeth have it best
     • Malcolm described Lady Macbeth as a devil towards the end of the play
       • "fiend-like queen"

2. Play Themes

   • Supernatural
     • Lady Macbeth would sometimes try and work with the supernatural (magic)
     • "unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe topful Of direst cruelty!"
   • Loyalty
     • Lady Macbeth gained Duncan's trust although she doesn't stay loyal by getting Macbeth to murder him so Macbeth can become king
       • "our honoured hostess" / "Fair and noble hostess"

3. Relationships

   • Macbeth
     • Lady Macbeth is, of course, Macbeth's wife.
     • Macbeth saw her as an equal and saw her just as strong as him
       • this was unusual back then
       • "Bring forth men-children only / For thy undaunted mettle should compose / Nothing but males"
       • "my dearest partner of greatness"
     • Lady Macbeth would control Macbeth, this was her evil side, for example, she was the one who encouraged Macbeth into killing the king.