Jack Cornetti

Miss Skirtich
11/6/17
English 12
Lady Macbeth

In William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" Lady Macbeth acts like a propelling force

throughout the murder of Duncan, yet after the murder is completed her tone changes. The

change of her emotions helps show the moral weight of taking another's life. Through comparing

and contrasting Lady Macbeths emotions before and after the murder, the reader is able to see

the change in her demeanor.

Prior to the murder of King Duncan, Lady Macbeth showed no fear or sorrow towards the

idea of murdering Duncan. From the moment she read the letter from Macbeth telling of the

prophecy, she was ready to take action. She states, "Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be

What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness To

catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness

should attend it" (I.v.15-20). Her ambition for the throne causes her to turn to murder to achieve

her goals. Though, Macbeth is not as committed. Lady Macbeth has concerns that Macbeth will

not go through with the plan because he lacks the ambition of his wife. Luckily, Lady Macbeth

states that she has enough ambition that will influence Macbeth to do her dirty work.

After the murder is committed and Macbeth returns to her, her emotions change from

murderous ambition. She says, "How now, my lord, why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies

your companions making, Using those thoughts which should indeed have died With them they

think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard: what's done, is done" (III.ii.8-
12). Her emotions change to guilt and fear of the truth being revealed. In this quote, she is trying

to console a guilty Macbeth. She tells him that there is nothing that can change the past and they

have to live with the decisions they make. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that if they think about

the murder it will drive them mad.

The entire event of Duncans murder showed many changes in Lady Macbeths emotions.

She goes from murderous and ambitious tendency's, to guilt and concern. The arc of Lady

Macbeth shows the conflict between personal ambition and personal morals. In conclusion, Lady

Macbeths tone changes throughout the murder of King Duncan.