Lady Macbeth Her Own Right Analysis

A Character in Her Own Right

Behind all the great men of Shakespeare, there is a women close behind, who is often over looked. These women are just as crucial of a character as the men they follow. In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth is a mere tool, there to carry out orders for his wife, both of whom desire nothing more than to rule. Together they will do anything, including murder, achieve their goal. Lady Macbeth proves to be a tragic figure and possess every capability that a man is able to. Although female, Lady Macbeth has proven herself as a central influence to the plot of the story, her strong, individualistic ways and ruthless plans prove to be the rise and downfall of her husbands reign as king and death, as well as
She starts to reflect on her action and take into consideration what feelings her husband may be having. "Naught's had, all's spent,/ Where our desire is got without content./ ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy/ Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy"(III.ii.6-9). Lady Macbeth is realizing that together Macbeth and she can never have a contented rule. No matter who they kill next, there is always someone who will challenge their crown. The struggle she is feeling within herself is claiming that it may be better to be the victim than the murder, because the dead do not have to live with the anxiety. Although
It appears that coping with the guilt of murder is more than what she initially thought it would be. The guilt is so strong that it drives Lady Macbeth insane. She walks around aimlessly in her room, unaware of the things she says. Her ludicrous ramblings give away much more that she would like. "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfume of/ Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, Oh, Oh!" (IIIII.i.42-43). This is basically a confession, claiming that her hand will always be red with guilt and will always smell as a reminder to her, and will never be right again. The doctor claims it is her disease talking and she is in need of a priest. Her care taker is told to do away with anything she might harm herself with, but does not. Later, in scene five, word comes that Lady Macbeth has killed herself. The guilt made her a weak person, causing not only her death, but her husbands as well. For soon after Macbeth losses his will to live and