In this essay on William Shakespeare's Macbeth I will be looking at the character of Lady Macbeth, a very complex character in the play. Though she does not appear too often, she plays a vital role. It is debatable whether or not Macbeth would have committed murder if it hadn't been for her. I will explore her personality and how much influence she exerts over her husband to see how evil she really is.
evil/ 'I:v(∂)l, -vil/ adj. & n.
• adj. 1 morally bad; wicked. 2 harmful or tending to harm, esp. intentionally or characteristically. 3 disagreeable or unpleasant.
Looking at the dictionary definition of the word "evil", I would say that, at first Lady Macbeth seems unnaturally unkind, though not exactly evil. However, contemplating murder obviously is not normal. We first meet Lady Macbeth at the beginning of Act 1, Scene 5. She is reading the letter she has just received from her husband, which says what the witches have predicted and that one of the prophecies has come true. She says Macbeth will get what he has been promised, but thinks he is " too full o" the milk of human kindness," to do anything to bring it about. She knows she is more capable of playing foul to get what she thinks she deserves. She considers herself to be stronger than Macbeth: .
"Hie thee hither,.
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear." (1:5:25).
Lady Macbeth is very decisive; within minutes of getting the letter she decides the king must die. After the messenger has left she says: .
"The raven himself is horse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan." (1:5:38).
Later on in the same scene, Lady Macbeth calls upon evil spirits to take away all that is feminine about her, to make her truly evil and without remorse so that she"ll be able to kill King Duncan. .
" unsex me here- (1:5:40).
When Macbeth enters, she tells him the plan and is determined to convince him to do the dirty work. One of the tactics she uses is attacking his masculinity:.