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Lady Macbeth is a leading character in William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). As the wife of the play's tragic hero, Macbeth (a Scottish nobleman), Lady Macbeth goads her husband into committing regicide , after which she becomes queen of Scotland .
Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frightening female characters. When we first see her, she is already plotting Duncan’s murder, and she is stronger, more ruthless, and more ambitious than her husband.
2 days ago · As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth has less and less authority over her husband. Macbeth begins to keep secrets from Lady Macbeth (the assassinations, visiting the witches for a second time) and having increasing agency. By Act V, he assumes the typical, dominant role of a husband, and Lady Macbeth is reduced to a feeble, powerless wife.
In Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth plays a pivotal role as the driving force behind her husband’s ascent to power. As one of the most complex and intriguing female characters in literature, she commands attention through her strong presence and unwavering ambition.
Revise and learn about the characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth with BBC Bitesize GCSE English Literature (AQA).
Lady Macbeth does not personally kill anyone. She conspires in the murder of the king, Duncan, though, and actively encourages Macbeth to kill him. It is Macbeth who does the actual killing. Lady Macbeth plays no part in the many further killings that Macbeth engineers.
Macbeth is a tragedy that tells the story of a soldier whose overriding ambition and thirst for power cause him to abandon his morals and bring about the near destruction of the kingdom he seeks to rule.
