A critical analysis of Lady Macbeth

Essay by playerHigh School, 12th gradeA, April 2002

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In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth is a very persuasive person. She is greatly responsible for the killing of King Duncan. Lady Macbeth reveals her secret evil nature, which pushes her toward her evil doings. Once Lady Macbeth learns of Macbeth's prophecy regarding becoming king, she immediately convinces and persuades Macbeth into following her plan. At the end of the play, after the crimes have been committed, Lady Macbeth shows weakness and guilt for her evil deeds.

Lady Macbeth expresses a hidden side about herself when she is alone. She shows her evil by voicing her heartless phrases to herself. She shows love for her evil doings and knows no boundaries when it comes to having her way. "That I may pour my spirits in thine ear" (Act I, 5, ll 43-44). This shows that Lady Macbeth knows that she is evil and is wishing she could share her evil with Macbeth.

"Make thick my blood, Stop up the access and passage to remorse"(Act I, 5, ll 43-44). These statements show Lady Macbeth wanting more evil by asking for her blood to stop the passage through her heart, so she can continue her evil ways without any remorse or guilt. Although Lady Macbeth is evil, she doesn't express this trait to the public, but acts pleasant and sweet to all, including the king.

Once the witches tell Macbeth he is to be king, he soon writes a letter to his wife explaining his new optimism for the future, hoping to find some advice in return. Instead, Lady Macbeth quickly begins to think how life could be better if he were king. She then persuades Macbeth into killing King Duncan. "And to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man"...