Lady Macbeth's Downfall
Lady Macbeth’s character has awed audiences of many generations. She may be the most famous actress ever written by Shakespeare. Literary critic, Dieter Mehl said, in response to Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, “In spite of all the dramatic energy of Lady Macbeth’s character, which has made her part of one of the most famous and most effective actress’s roles in all the tragedies, she is, in comparison to the protagonist, not a very complex character. What makes her so fascinating to the audience is chiefly her fatal impact on Macbeth, not her own character problem or any tragic conflict within her.” Indeed I agree with Dieter Mehl that Lady Macbeth plays an important role in influencing her husband to act the way he does. Lady Macbeth promptly manipulates Macbeth into the planning of Duncan’s assassination. During the time of
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Macbeth states reasons for not killing Duncan, first he is Duncan’s kinsmen, second, his subject and third, his host. As Lady Macbeth approaches him during the dinner he immediately tells her other reasons. She belittles him, What beast was’t then……. (I. vii. 47-51)
Macbeth is questioned regarding his identity, his self esteem and courage to do the deed. Here the reader observes another instance where Lady Macbeth over powers Macbeth with simple words which will drive him to his fatal destiny. Lady Macbeth assures him,
A little water clears us of this deed: (II. Iii. 67)
This perhaps tells Macbeth that it was okay and perhaps this also acts as the catalyst to Macbeth’s later tyranny.
Lady Macbeth has been there all along, cheering Macbeth on as he ascended to the throne of Scotland. During his celebratory banquet, as the king, with the thanes, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and has a fit. Lady Macbeth comes to his rescue,
Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,
And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; (III. Iv.
Macbeth states reasons for not killing Duncan, first he is Duncan’s kinsmen, second, his subject and third, his host. As Lady Macbeth approaches him during the dinner he immediately tells her other reasons. She belittles him, What beast was’t then……. (I. vii. 47-51)
Macbeth is questioned regarding his identity, his self esteem and courage to do the deed. Here the reader observes another instance where Lady Macbeth over powers Macbeth with simple words which will drive him to his fatal destiny. Lady Macbeth assures him,
A little water clears us of this deed: (II. Iii. 67)
This perhaps tells Macbeth that it was okay and perhaps this also acts as the catalyst to Macbeth’s later tyranny.
Lady Macbeth has been there all along, cheering Macbeth on as he ascended to the throne of Scotland. During his celebratory banquet, as the king, with the thanes, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and has a fit. Lady Macbeth comes to his rescue,
Sit, worthy friends: my lord is often thus,
And hath been from his youth: pray you, keep seat; (III. Iv.