1. Lady Macbeth Character Study

2. Lady Macbeth Character From the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth is clearly a focused character. How?:  As soon as she reads Macbeth’s letter she is clear that Duncan must die and she must persuade Macbeth to do it.  She is perceptive and realises Macbeth is ambitious but not ruthless enough.  She dedicates herself to ensuring Macbeth will be King.

3. Lady Macbeth Character Lady Macbeth asks for help from the powers of darkness. How?:  She prays to filled with evil and tries to deny her human nature.  She wants to eliminate any feelings of compassion, guilt or remorse.

4. Lady Macbeth Character In the early stages of the play Lady Macbeth is the dominant partner in her relationship with Macbeth. How?:  She insists that Macbeth leave all the planning of Duncan’s murder to her.  She comes up with the plan to blame Duncan’s guards.  She shows incredible powers of persuasion in convincing Macbeth to go through with the murder.

5. Lady Macbeth Character After the murder she is remarkably calm and composed. How?:  Macbeth is close to a complete mental breakdown but Lady Macbeth remains in control of the situation.  She returns to Duncan’s room with the knives when Macbeth refuses.  She does her best to calm Macbeth down.  She copes with pressure very well, covering for Macbeth during the Banquet Scene.

6. Lady Macbeth Character After the Banquet Scene Lady Macbeth becomes a background figure in the play. How?:  Having repressed her natural feelings during the murder, her mind is eventually overwhelmed by guilt.  She is haunted by the sight and smell of blood on her hands.  She relives the horror of the murder and its aftermath in her sleepwalking.  Unable to live with her feelings of guilt she loses her mind and takes her own life.

7. Lady Macbeth Character Questions 1. What kind of person is Lady Macbeth at the start of the play? How can we see this? 2. What shows us that Lady Macbeth is originally the dominant partner in the relationship? 3. How does Lady Macbeth handle the situation immediately after the murder? 4. Why do you think Lady Macbeth takes her own life at the end of the play?