Villains In Macbeth

Villains across literature come in all shapes and sizes with different motive, but the function of their cruel, evil intentions to push a plot forward will stand the test of time. In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” villains wreak havoc across the stage, left and right. Particularly, Shakespeare depicts Lady Macbeth as the most villainous character that further controls Macbeth’s mind to appease her ambition through the use of figurative language, details, and tone. Although some would argue that the witches planted the seed of ambition in Macbeth’s head, Lady Macbeth intended to water that seed until its vines grew out of control, which is portrayed in her metaphorical monologue. “Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty” (1. 5. 48-50). Lady Macbeth’s ruthless desire to appease her ambition of becoming queen makes her embrace the dark side. She willingly relinquishes any humanity in her metaphorically, which makes her strong enough to push past feelings of remorse and shame that her actions should cause her. Also, in a …show more content…
In juxtaposition to her ashamed, guilt ridden husband, Lady Macbeth seems to disregard her actions as anything but villainous. “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” (2. 2. 83-84). Clearly, the detail of the blood stained hands and dialogue concerning their bloody state are employed to emphasize the ghastly nature of their act, but Lady Macbeth uses this to her advantage to further manipulate Macbeth. Despite the fact that the audience knows Macbeth has fought bravely in a war before, Lady Macbeth resorts to questioning his courage. Even if Lady Macbeth was not the one that physically killed King Duncan, her persistent ambition renders her incapable of finding fault in her actions until later in the play, illustrating the destructive consequences of letting ambition corrupt one’s