The Depths of Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth once said, “Look like th’innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t (I, iv, 65-66).” This quote briefly explains who Lady Macbeth actually is. She is a character in William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth. She is known as Macbeth’s wife and seems to want the throne as much as her husband. She progresses throughout the play from a seemingly atrocious and inconsiderate creature to a very fragile woman. In the beginning of the play, she is very assertive and athirst for power. For example, she pushes Macbeth to kill Duncan in order to fulfill the witches’ prophecies. Towards the end of the play, she seems to be a scared, and regretful woman that questions her and her husband’s quest for power. Overall, Lady Macbeth is a self-driven, ruthless, and resilient woman in Shakespeare’s play. …show more content…
As soon as there is opportunity to gain power, she always has a plan and is ready to take action. “What beast was’t then, That made you break this enterprise to me (I, vii, 47-48)?” This quote symbolizes her ruthlessness by revealing Macbeths ambition, but his doubts about their plan are in the way, and she is on the verge of taking action. “I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums, and dashed the brains out (I, vii, 56-58).” This quote is the best example for Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness. Lady Macbeth is shaming Macbeth about questioning their plan. She uses the image of a child to make a graphic affirmation about her amplitude of violence. In agreement with Lady Macbeth’s violent thoughts, “Come to my woman’s breasts, And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers (I, v, 47-48).” Lady Macbeth is preparing herself to commit murder; the breasts and milk suggests her womanhood and symbols of nurture. It hinders her from performing acts of violence and cruelty, which she associates with