Washing her Hands: The Guilt of Lady Macbeth

A detailed Summary of Washing her Hands: The Guilt of Lady Macbeth

To transform ones character through years of experience and age is beneficial. To deteriorate ones character through a short period of fast decisions and unsure actions causes peril. Lady Macbeth gives truth to this theory. The impulsive mistakes and power-hungry tactics Lady Macbeth utilizes are ultimately her dramatic flaws. She feels overwhelmed by all that is happening, both physically and mentally, and decides to end her own life. The Tragedy of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare illustrates two seemingly ordinary nobles whose lives intertwine in a whirlwind of power, corruption, and the supernatural, which ultimately results in their descents. They both, because of their entanglement in this greedy world, failed to consider the consequences of their actions. More realistically, Macbeth yielded to the belief that the deeds he would perform were the right thing to do, "I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none."(Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act I, Sc. vi!

Lady Macbeth, in particular, loses sight of prudence from the play's beginning to end. She creates an image of ruthlessness and believes she can handle the disturbance of unearthly evil in her mind and soul. She presents a seemingly st

"Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,

ior is a pathetic attempt to try and fend off the true evil darkness with a man-made light. She looks to Lady Macduff with a countenance of that which would belong to a ghost. She begins to express a compassion that she had never felt when she utters, "The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she / now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean?" (V, i, 21-22). Lady Macbeth's decaying remorse sank deep into her brain, like a clever thief, slowly grabbing at her thoughts one by one. The darkness stripped her of her 'mask,' and she is now engulfed in agony and sorrow. She is helpless. The thought of the evil, which she once sought after and accepted, is now an image of terror in her mind.

And then is heard no more: it is a tale

Lady Macbeth has the persuasive capability of humiliating someone into murder, but has no personal capacity to execute 'the deed,' though she spoke, at times, as if she would take the opportunity whenever it arose. Lady Macbeth imagines that she has ability to hide her true emotions, though her mind is as frail as an egg, quite tough on the outside, but unresolved and runny on the inside. She claims that she can "look like the innocent flower / But be the serpent under't" (I, v, 63-64). Lady Macbeth imagines that she has the capability to be a remorseless and determined villain, but she isn't anything of the like in reality. In actuality, at the end of the play Lady Macbeth is so feeble-minded she becomes overwhelmed with the guilt that has been set upon her. The final results are only accountable to Lady Macbeth. She was the one who convinced her husband to commit the murders, thereby resulting in a series of emotional and mental problems for herself, as well as Macbeth!

Lady Macbeth's character gradually disintegrates through a false portrayal of unyielding strength, an unsteady control of her husband, and shifting involvement with supernatural powers. Lady Macbeth's deterioration is not only a result of unwise decisions and actions; many other factors played a role in this tragedy of this character's morale. She regarded supernatural forces with such respect and confidence, she tried to get in touch with her own only to become overpowered by their evilness. Secondly, her desire for an intimidating personality resulted in the destruction of her morals and in the end, the brutal realization of her true weaknesses. The couple's ambition, although obsessive, is a characteristic of human nature; her gift of harsh control over Macbeth resulted in a perilous journey for a common goal and the demise of not only herself but also her husband. Possibly as a result of these many factors, Lady Macbeth ends her life and Macbeth is forced to ponder his!

Told

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Approximate Word count = 1856
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English