Lady Macbeth's Dynamic Character

In the vast history of English literature, Shakespeare's Macbeth is arguably one of the greatest tragedies to ever have been created. Lady Macbeth presents a dynamic character who undergoes significant changes throughout the text.“A dynamic character is an individual that undergoes a drastic character change or revelation.”Lady Macbeth is a fundamental example of this kind of character. At the commencement of the play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth can be perceived as a manipulative and deeply ambitious person which implies an overall sinister appeal. However, as the play progresses, Lady Macbeth's character changes to one that seems deeply regretful for her actions. Through Lady Macbeth's interactions and statements the reader views her metamorphosis

There is a defined relationship between manipulation and ambition in this play. That is, Lady Macbeth's ambition drives her to persuade her husband into the murdering of innocent people. The first example of her determination is apparent in her soliloquy, which is started off with a tone of certainty and conviction. “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised.” (I, v, 14-29) Ironically, this tone does not alleviate the strength of her character but instead makes the reader wary of her. This draws the reader's interest and creates a feeling of the oncoming evil that seems inevitable. Hence, the reader can indicate the instrumental role that Lady Macbeth is going to play in the buildup of darkness later on. But the primary example of her ambitious behaviour is evident in the plot for her husband to become king. As claimed by the witches, Macbeth would be king, however the means of how this would become was never discussed until Lady Macbeth is introduced. When the reader is first introduced to her, she is asking for spirits to "unsex me"(I, V, 44). The language suggests that her womanhood, represented by breasts and milk, which are usually symbols of a nurturer, prevents her from performing acts of violence and cruelty, which she associates with manliness. This also reinforces the link between gender and violence. This statement displays the immense ambition she has to become queen, demonstrating she will go to any lengths in order to accomplish her goal. The devised plan by Lady Macbeth further shows her great ambition to become Queen of Scotland. Lady Macbeth states to Macbeth: "O, never shall sun that morrow see!" (I, V, 67-68) referring to the murdering of King Duncan providing evidence of her great ambition. Lady Macbeth is so blinded by her ambitions that she neglects to ponder the