Lady Macbeth Argumentative Essay Example
Lady Macbeth Argumentative Essay Example

Lady Macbeth Argumentative Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (888 words)
  • Published: October 23, 2017
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In "Macbeth's" final scene, Malcolm describes Lady Macbeth as a "fiend-like queen". Opinions are divided about Lady Macbeth, however. Some see her as a strong-willed woman who possesses ambition, intelligence, and ruthlessness in exploiting her husband's strengths and weaknesses for her own gain. They also view her as committed to evil, realizing that gaining the Crown does not bring happiness, and eventually breaking down under the stress. Conversely, others perceive Lady Macbeth as an ambitious woman who loves her husband and seeks to further his success.

Despite recognizing the good in Macbeth and believing he needs her help to win the Crown, Lady Macbeth's feminine nature ultimately breaks down after the murder of Duncan and her husband's increasing alienation. She is portrayed as simple and practical compared t

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o Macbeth's complexity and imagination, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals while he struggles with his conscience. Throughout the play, she is depicted as malicious and ruthless in her pursuit of power, leading Malcolm to dub her a "fiend-like queen" in Act IV, Scene vii. This is evidenced by her statement that Macbeth's fitness as king unmakes his opponents, although interpretations of her actions can vary.

"I have given suck and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this." (Act 1, Scene 7) However, stating that Lady Macbeth is a fiend without kindness or weakness is untrue. There are instances where her true humanity is glimpsed, such a

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when she drinks to calm herself, stating "That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold;what hath quenched them hath given me fire." This shows she is not an emotionless person who feels no remorse or sorrow and proves her to be human. When she calls on the powers of evil to unsex her and make her cruel, it proves she knows her own capacity for such actions, but also realizes the unnaturalness of murdering Duncan. Is she just an ordinary human being overcome with ambition like Macbeth? Even after these spirits enter her, she retains part of her womanliness. The words "Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it" imply that she still possesses tenderness towards her loved ones. Lady Macbeth shows herself strong-willed and more determined than Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 7, as she argues and demands his agreement to the murder. However, her worst act is exploiting Macbeth's love for her by making his consent to murder a test of his love.

She acknowledges that focusing on the ethical implications of the killing could lead to mental instability.

In the second act of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth displays an acute attention to detail, picking up on oversights made by her husband - Macbeth. She questions him on his decision to bring the daggers from the crime scene and even retrieves them herself. Lady Macbeth is somewhat critical of Macbeth, accusing him of having a "heart so white," or perhaps she fears that he may incriminate himself. Later on, in Act II, Sc. ii, she seemingly calls for help due to her own weaknesses or apprehension over Macduff's inquiries

into the chamberlain's murder. Her quick thinking proves advantageous once more in this moment. However, in Act III, Sc. ii, Lady Macbeth realizes that the Crown has brought her no joy as she laments "Noughts had, all’s spent, Where our desire is got without content."

While expressing remorse, she speculates that Macbeth's alienation from her is due to Duncan's murder. Concerned about his well-being, she attempts to console him, stating that they can't undo what has been done and tries to boost his morale. During the Ghost scene, despite his being unnerved, she exhibits her quick thinking but is unable to see the Ghost. She employs her old tactic of appealing to his masculinity but fails to succeed.

After the guests leave, Lady Macbeth displays her tenderheartedness by not reproaching Macbeth for his behavior, instead, she offers an explanation that he is sleep-deprived, which affects his judgment. Lady Macbeth doesn't reappear until Act V, Scene 1, where she is portrayed as a pitiable figure, who has been shattered by the consequences of their actions. The final time we see her, she is in a state of delusion, believing that Macbeth is nearby. The emphasis is put on her feelings of guilt and despair while also potentially displaying her determination.

Lady Macbeth is often thought of as a fiendish queen due to her actions throughout the play, but in Act V, Scene v, Macbeth's few words may be spoken with an indifferent tone or a sense of something already lost. Despite feeling guilty for her in the end, we may still remember her perceived hardness and cruelty. However, my opinion of Lady Macbeth remains unchanged- she was a woman

of great ambition and capable of immense love and devotion, but her blurred morals led her to take the actions that set the story of Macbeth into motion.

Although her "fiend-like" traits may dominate, it is impossible to disregard the numerous instances where her kindness and faithfulness shine through.

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