Few characters in literature are as complicated and intriguing as Lady Macbeth from William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy “Macbeth.” The story of Lady Macbeth's development from an ambitious and crafty woman to a tortured and guilt-ridden person is fundamental to the plot of the play. In this article, we delve into the events that led to Lady Macbeth's tragic death and the psychological unraveling that preceded it.
Who Is Lady Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth is one of the most important characters in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. She is a fascinating mix of desire, manipulation, and madness. As soon as she finds out about the prophecy that says Macbeth will become king, she becomes the driving force behind his bloody rise to power.
Lady Macbeth has a strong presence throughout the play, particularly in the first two acts. Her role in the plot, however, lessens after the assassination of King Duncan. She transforms into a detached observer of Macbeth's plotting and an anxious hostess at a feast dominated by her husband's hallucinations.
Her sleepwalking scene in the fifth act is a watershed moment in the play, and her remark “Out, damned spot!” has become a catchphrase for many English speakers. The news of her death late in the fifth act inspires Macbeth's “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” monologue.
Her unwavering desire and skillful manipulation drive her husband to kill the king, but as guilt eats away at her, she loses control of her conscience. Lady Macbeth's disturbing speeches and scenes where she sleepwalks show very clearly how her mind and emotions broke down. Shakespeare shows through her character how unchecked desire can be corrupt and how it can have terrible effects on both the person and the people around them.
How Did Lady Macbeth Die?
In this case, Macbeth hears a scream in Act 5 Scene 5 and sends Seyton to find out what happened. When Seyton comes back, he is known for saying, “The queen, my lord, is dead.”
Macbeth doesn't ask what happened to her. After becoming a cruel tyrant, Macbeth is driven insane by shame over their misdeeds and kills herself offstage. Malcolm seems to be saying that the report that Lady Macbeth killed herself is true. In other scenes, it's clear that she's been slowly going crazy for a while. At this point, Shakespeare's audience would have known that she was possessed by demons, and he wouldn't have had to say anything else about it.
Lady Macbeth's constant guilt over her part in Duncan's murder and the bloodshed that followed becomes too much for her to bear. As the weight of her actions takes a toll on her mental health, she is haunted by guilt and goes crazy, which leads her to the sad decision to kill herself.
