Lady Macbeth is one of the most complex and intriguing characters in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Throughout the play, Lady Macbeth exhibits a range of emotions and motivations that make her a fascinating character to study. Her ambition, cunning, and ruthlessness are evident from the beginning of the play, and she is instrumental in driving Macbeth to commit murder.
One of Lady Macbeth's most striking characteristics is her ambition. She is determined to make her husband king, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth says, "Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty!" This quote demonstrates Lady Macbeth's desire to be unburdened by her femininity and to be filled with the "direst cruelty" necessary to achieve her goals.
Lady Macbeth is also cunning and manipulative. In Act 1, Scene 7, she convinces Macbeth to murder King Duncan by questioning his masculinity and his love for her. She says, "When you durst do it, then you were a man; / And to be more than what you were, you would / Be so much more the man." This quote shows how Lady Macbeth uses Macbeth's desire to prove his masculinity against him and manipulates him into committing murder.
Finally, Lady Macbeth is ruthless. She is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, even if it means killing innocent people. In Act 2, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth, "My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white." This quote shows how Lady Macbeth is willing to get her hands dirty in order to achieve her goals.
In conclusion, Lady Macbeth is a complex and fascinating character in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Her ambition, cunning, and ruthlessness are evident throughout the play, and she is instrumental in driving Macbeth to commit murder. Lady Macbeth's character is a testament to Shakespeare's ability to create complex and nuanced characters that continue to captivate audiences to this day.