First time audience sees Lady Macbeth since things have started to go wrong - her character has completely changed
- She's been driven mad by guilt and fear:
- Carries a candle and "has light by her continually" - she's afraid of the dark
  - It's ironic because in Act 1, Scene 5 she welcomes darkness: "Come, thick night"
  - Night now reminds her of the evil she's done
- She tries to wash imaginary blood off her hands: "Out, damned spot!"
  - Handwashing symbolises her guilt, and contrasts with her attitude in Act 2, Scene 2
  - "A little water clears us of this deed"
The way her language changes also reveals her guilty conscience:
- Her speech changes from smooth and fluent blank verse to disjointed prose - shows her troubled state of mind
- Her speech is uncertain: "The Thane of Fife had a wife - where is she now?"
  - Use of questions shows her mental confusion and contrasts with her domineering language in Act 1, Scene 7
The Doctor says "unnatural deeds/Do breed unnatural troubles"
- Lady Macbeth has upset the natural balance by doing evil things
  - Reminds the audience of the unnatural things reported in Act 2, Scene 4

	Created by Niamh Webster about 6 years ago

Year 11 English (Macbeth) Note on Macbeth Act 5 , created by Niamh Webster on 02/05/2018.