Lady Macbeth In Shakespeare's Play
In the play Macbeth, the audience gains an understanding of the characters in the play and follow them as the tragedy occurs. As the story develops so do the characters. One of the biggest changes in a character is seen through Lady Macbeth’s. Lady Macbeth begins to fall apart throughout the course of the play starting some time after her first crime. Lady Macbeth begins as a character who is fearless, to one that is somewhat fearful, and finally to one that is mentally distraught and cannot control herself. At the start of the play, Lady Macbeth’s actions create this sense of control, making the audience believe she is a strong character. She is the one who first decides and suggests the murder if the Duncan; “But be the serpent under it.
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Shakespeare includes hints to show that Lady Macbeth is not as fearless as she first appeared. She is slowly changing and is losing her sanity because of her actions. She admits that she wishes she were dead she feels guilty for what she has done and can not hide the fact that she regrets her actions. Lady Macbeth expresses her discontent by saying “Tis safer to be that which we destroy/ Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy.” (3.2.8-9). This is not the only time Lady Macbeth shows some sign of regret. After the murder of Duncan Lady Macbeth faints. Although some may see this as an attempt to trick those around her it can also be seen as a reaction of fear. Lady Macbeth fears what she has done and it will come back to haunt her in the near future. Macduff quotes “O, gentle lady, / ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:/ The repetition, in a woman’s ear, / Would murder as it fell (2.3.92-95). The audience understands the dramatic irony as Lady Macbeth is the one who helped accomplish the murder. The final event that occurs to show this transition in Lady Macbeth’s character is Macbeth revealing that he and Lady Macbeth experience nightmares. This piece of information reveals Lady Macbeth’s guilty feelings and impacts her sleep habits. This same problem is then shown in later scenes but with a worse effect. Macbeth, afraid of what he has done …show more content…
Throughout the play Lady Macbeth begins as this fearless character, changes to one that is somewhat fearful, and finally to one that has no control over herself and her
Shakespeare includes hints to show that Lady Macbeth is not as fearless as she first appeared. She is slowly changing and is losing her sanity because of her actions. She admits that she wishes she were dead she feels guilty for what she has done and can not hide the fact that she regrets her actions. Lady Macbeth expresses her discontent by saying “Tis safer to be that which we destroy/ Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy.” (3.2.8-9). This is not the only time Lady Macbeth shows some sign of regret. After the murder of Duncan Lady Macbeth faints. Although some may see this as an attempt to trick those around her it can also be seen as a reaction of fear. Lady Macbeth fears what she has done and it will come back to haunt her in the near future. Macduff quotes “O, gentle lady, / ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:/ The repetition, in a woman’s ear, / Would murder as it fell (2.3.92-95). The audience understands the dramatic irony as Lady Macbeth is the one who helped accomplish the murder. The final event that occurs to show this transition in Lady Macbeth’s character is Macbeth revealing that he and Lady Macbeth experience nightmares. This piece of information reveals Lady Macbeth’s guilty feelings and impacts her sleep habits. This same problem is then shown in later scenes but with a worse effect. Macbeth, afraid of what he has done …show more content…
Throughout the play Lady Macbeth begins as this fearless character, changes to one that is somewhat fearful, and finally to one that has no control over herself and her