Guilt In Lady Macbeth

Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a play that explores the nature of power, ambition, and guilt. Everybody wants to do something great with their lives, to have a sense of power and accomplishment. Whether it be becoming a scientist, a musician to make the world more peaceful, or even becoming president, but some people interpret power a little differently. As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth attempts to become like the amoral witches in their appearance and manipulation of Macbeth to achieve power for her and Macbeth. However, Lady Macbeth is affected by her actions, her conscience is troubled and her guilt torments her. This contrasts with the witches who are not affected by guilt or remorse for their actions.

The witches' appearances are

They should look like women but do not because of their skinny lips and beards; “Upon her skinny lips: you should be women, / And yet your beards forbid me to interpret / That you are so.” (1.3.46-48). In act 1 scene 5, Lady Macbeth, upon reading Macbeth’s note of promotion to Thane of Cawdor, wants him to be king. Lady Macbeth calls upon evil spirits to “unsex” her, to rid herself of her femininity and become more ruthless in order to achieve her goals. “Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here…”(1.5.43-44). Lady Macbeth trying to appear androgynous like the witches. As with the witches, Lady Macbeth is a manipulator. Often emotionally and physically manipulating others to gain more power, Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth by questioning his manhood, bravery, and by giving him the courage and ambition to commit murder. She also actively works to control the situation and cover up their actions to avoid detection. Macbeth is hesitant to kill King Duncan, Lady Macbeth urges him

As Lady Macbeth does with the murder of Duncan, the witches take and torment innocent lives in order to achieve more power. “I’ the shipman's card. / I’ll drain him dry as hay: / Sleep shall neither night nor day / Hang upon his pent-house lid; / He shall live a man forbid: / Weary se’nnights nine times nine…” (1.3.18-23) The witches show no remorse in torturing an innocent man for 81 days, ridding him of his sleep. Lady Macbeth has an evil nature in her willingness to sacrifice innocent lives for her own gain too in order for her goals to become true. Exclaiming; "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.” (1.7.61-64). Lady Macbeth, although appearing strong and ruthless by helping cover up a murder, plan a murder, and manipulate Macbeth into committing it, Lady Macbeth's actions catch up with her and she begins to be consumed by guilt. This guilt ultimately leads to her downfall, as she becomes increasingly unhinged and paranoid, ultimately driving her to madness and