To what extent is Lady Macbeth an ideal wife? Discuss with close reference to the text.
Throughout Shakespeare’s play of Macbeth we are exposed to the society of thirteenth century Scotland and the different roles and status of this time. Accordingly, we are revealed to Macbeth’s climb to the throne, and are consequently revealed to the different qualities of his wife, Lady Macbeth. Various attributes of her character enable us to perceive her as a bad wife, perhaps being the very reason for her own tragic downfall. Surrounding the major events of the play, we see some of the many different sides to Lady Macbeth. She is firstly portrayed as ruthless and ambitious, and in spite of this we also see her vulnerable side. Therefore, these given aspects of the play and Lady Macbeth’s qualities make her a difficult character to understand and subsequently a bad wife.
Lady Macbeth’s ruthlessness is somewhat evident throughout the entire play; however more so when her chance to become queen arrives. When receiving Macbeth’s letter and finding out the truth about him in regard to the witches prophecies, Lady Macbeth is filled with much delight. She sees these prophecies as the perfect opportunity to seek a higher position in her society, to become queen. The fact that Duncan would be joining them for dinner, also tied significantly well into her murderous plans. “He brings great news. The raven himself is hoarse.” Nevertheless, in spite of all this, she fears that Macbeth is “too full of the human kindness to catch the nearest way.” and that his genuine goodness will encourage a more difficult journey to this higher status. Consequently she conjures to evil spirits “come you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here…of direst cruelty.” to make things easier for her. Furthermore, after much persuasiveness and manipulation she encourages Macbeth that people are able to recognize his facial expressions, thoughts and feelings and therefore he needs to partake in actions that people will not know to be of him. She convinces Macbeth “to look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t.” Although being merely responsible for Duncan’s murder she drugged the guards’ drinks and attempted to put the blame on them. This therefore proves her selfishness and brutality. Subsequently, following the murder she seems to show no apparent emotions. “A foolish thought to say a sorrow sight.” Therefore, in this context we are introduced to Lady Macbeth’s vulnerable side; one of the many reasons as to why she was not an ideal wife.
Many times throughout Macbeth Lady Macbeth’s uncertainty regarding her actions is presented. In this manner, it is implied that she has some vulnerable characteristics within her. This side to Lady Macbeth is discreetly shown in our first encounter with her but gradually increases as the climax of the play nears. As she is unable to carry through with the murder herself, due to the strong resemblance that Duncan held of her father, she calls upon evil spirits and a thick night to assist her. This is therefore, hiding her actions and to some extent putting the blame onto someone else. Meanwhile, subsequent to the murder in which she partook Lady Macbeth becomes rather sick with guilt; she begins to sleepwalk and sleep talk, continuously rubbing her hands together, to rid any blood that still remained upon them. “A great perturbation in nature to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching.” However, the greatest sign of guilt and vulnerability that Lady Macbeth shows throughout the whole play is when she gives up her own life. This confirms that she was aware of her mistaken actions and could no longer live knowing that she was responsible for Duncan’s death. Hence, we can be ensured of Lady Macbeth’s vulnerable qualities. In contrast to her other traits, this side of Lady Macbeth makes her most perplexing to understand, and much of the reason why Shakespeare has portrayed as a bad wife.
Lady Macbeth is clearly eager for Macbeth to take throne and for herself to become queen. Therefore, as the climax of the play approaches her ambitious side is illustrated. From the moment Lady Macbeth hears about Duncan’s presence for dinner she is forceful in reassuring Macbeth that killing Duncan would be the right thing to do, this way herself would become queen. From this point on she is manipulative and persuasive and threatens Macbeth that he will “live a coward in thine own esteem” if he does not carry through with the murder. She seems to be apathetic of Macbeth’s inner feelings. “Was the hope not drunk wherein you dress’d yourself…to look so green an pale at what it did so freely.” Moreover, she also said that Macbeth was “art not without ambition; but without the illness should attend it.” Thus, it is for this very reason that Lady Macbeth is recognized to have so much ambition. Due to her ambition, Lady Macbeth was not a good wife; she only cared for herself and the methods of which she would take in order to become queen. Ambition was the only thing on her mind, consequently making her out to be a bad wife.
From our first encounter with Lady Macbeth, we can see that she was a merciless and unforgiving wife to Macbeth, unless it suited herself. With many examples from the text, her ruthlessness, vulnerability and ambition have most certainly been depicted to us as her true qualities; these given qualities make her most difficult to understand. Thus in this manner, we are ensured that Lady Macbeth was not an ideal wife.