The general argument made by Shakespeare in his work is that Lady Macbeth is an evil character. More specifically, Lady Macbeth is secretly a madwoman who plots Duncan’s death.
The truth is that Lady Macbeth is an innocent, fragile woman who ends up being corrupted by power. According to the play, literary criticism, and mental health studies, Lady Macbeth’s
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madness was a result of guilt from pushing her husband into murdering Duncan, her past(father), and her femininity.
Lady Macbeth’s “Road to Madness”
Throughout the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is as a loving wife who wants her husband to be a powerful king. Her role throughout the play in relation to other characters is the beautiful and flawless queen. However, she is afraid that Macbeth may not …show more content…
Out, I tell you! One o’ clock, two o’ clock. Well then it’s time to do it. Hell is dark.” (5.1,p.217). Lady Macbeth then apparently commits suicide by “self and violent hands” (5.8, p.254).
Literary Criticism’s interpretation of Lady Macbeth’s Story
According to literary criticism, Lady Macbeth’s mental breakdown manifests itself in the sleepwalking scene. Lady Macbeth: A Psychological Sketch, says that Lady Macbeth had no way of escaping her own evil thoughts. It says that, “She had no outlet at all for the misery that was gnawing at her heart. She had to bear it in all its secret reality; and, as long as she could, she bore it with wonderful fortitude". The article concludes that she may have been as wicked as the witches but we, as readers, can still show her pity and compassion. Another literary criticism says that the “gradual disintegration of the character is fascinating to watch.” It mentions that
Lady Macbeth sees a resemblance of her father in Duncan and that’s why she says she needs wine to become more courageous.
Mental Health Issues & Lamenting Poem
It is obvious that Lady Macbeth suffers from many mental issues. One example is
The truth is that Lady Macbeth is an innocent, fragile woman who ends up being corrupted by power. According to the play, literary criticism, and mental health studies, Lady Macbeth’s
3
madness was a result of guilt from pushing her husband into murdering Duncan, her past(father), and her femininity.
Lady Macbeth’s “Road to Madness”
Throughout the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is as a loving wife who wants her husband to be a powerful king. Her role throughout the play in relation to other characters is the beautiful and flawless queen. However, she is afraid that Macbeth may not …show more content…
Out, I tell you! One o’ clock, two o’ clock. Well then it’s time to do it. Hell is dark.” (5.1,p.217). Lady Macbeth then apparently commits suicide by “self and violent hands” (5.8, p.254).
Literary Criticism’s interpretation of Lady Macbeth’s Story
According to literary criticism, Lady Macbeth’s mental breakdown manifests itself in the sleepwalking scene. Lady Macbeth: A Psychological Sketch, says that Lady Macbeth had no way of escaping her own evil thoughts. It says that, “She had no outlet at all for the misery that was gnawing at her heart. She had to bear it in all its secret reality; and, as long as she could, she bore it with wonderful fortitude". The article concludes that she may have been as wicked as the witches but we, as readers, can still show her pity and compassion. Another literary criticism says that the “gradual disintegration of the character is fascinating to watch.” It mentions that
Lady Macbeth sees a resemblance of her father in Duncan and that’s why she says she needs wine to become more courageous.
Mental Health Issues & Lamenting Poem
It is obvious that Lady Macbeth suffers from many mental issues. One example is