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Lady Macbeth Character Analysis

Decent Essays

In perhaps the most pivotal scene in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s motives are truly revealed in her manipulation of Macbeth to show how humans have a desire for power and once they get a taste of it, they will go through any lengths to have it, no matter the effect on others. Her lust for power is showcased through how she persuades Macbeth by insulting his masculinity and using emotive language to counter his logical reasoning. This section of the play illustrates the tipping point of each character’s morality with Macbeth having second thoughts about the planned murder and Lady Macbeth diving straight in. The dynamic between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is clearly shown in 1.7 as Lady Macbeth being portrayed as the more dominant figure, as she repeatedly insults the masculinity of her husband. When Lady Macbeth hears that Macbeth has changed his mind about killing King Duncan, she starts to guilt him about his decision and says “Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life / And live a coward in thine own esteem / Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would. ” (1.743 - 45). Lady Macbeth is saying that wanting the crown but not doing anything about it, makes Macbeth a coward because he doesn’t have the guts to do the necessary actions to get power. She’s trying to appeal to his sense of manliness by insulting him about his reluctance to kill the king in order to convince him to go follow his word. This tactic reveals how manipulative and cunning Lady Macbeth is

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