Is Lady Macbeth really the fiend like monster described by Malcolm? - Shakespeare

Macbeth Essay

Shakespeare is by far the most famous writer thus far in the history of literature. In his many plays, he’s brought to life many strong female characters. One in particular was the cause for most of the conflict in the play she was introduced. In the pluay Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is the cause of much turmoil. She’s not spoken well of in the end of the play and even her husband Macbeth does not grief at her passing. Is Lady Macbeth really the fiend like monster described by Malcolm? Lady Macbeth’s overwhelmingly numerous malicious traits, such as manipulative, cruel and greedy, guaranty make her in fact the totally evil queen described in the play.

To start off, Lady Macbeth is fiend like since she is manipulative. She has the ability to control people such as Macbeth using insults and excessive example to make him feel guilty. “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 pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums, and dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this.” (Act 1 scene 7 page 41). This speech from Lady Macbeth demonstrates that she cares not of the way she obtains people to do things, as long as those things are done. Also, Lady Macbeth has the ability of stopping certain conversations when she does not like where they’re going. For example, when people are starting to question why Macbeth killed the king’s guards her reaction is: “(fainting) Help me hence, ho!”. This took the attention off suspecting Macbeth and on to helping her. So, Lady Macbeth is truly evil since she’s manipulative and she gets people to do actions they regret.

Secondly, Lady Macbeth is evil since she’s cruel and heartless. She plots and helps execute the murder of a good king for her own desires. “Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry 'Hold, hold!'” She fakes mourning for him but in reality she wants to celebrate and enjoy herself with her husband. Another act that demonstrates how cruel Lady Macbeth is in the play is when she confesses her involvement in the killing and raping of Macduff’s family. “The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?--What, will these hands ne'er be clean?--No more o' that, my lord, no more o' that: you mar all with this starting.” (Act and scene?) Her involvement in this cruel act demonstrates that she is truly evil since no good women would have let such a horrendous thing unfold. For such actions of cruelty, Lady Macbeth will forever be evil.

Finally, Lady Macbeth is totally evil because she is corrupted by greed. First, she can never have enough power. She’s unable to be happy when there is the possibility to have more. She was not satisfied with Macbeth’s promotion once she discovered that he had the possibility of becoming even more. When Macbeth says that he no longer wants to kill the king she becomes outraged, she will not settle for less.

“Was the hope drunk wherein you dress'd yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time such I account thy love. Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire? Wouldst

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