Macbeth | The Guilt of Lady Macbeth

In this essay, R. Moore examines Lady Macbeth, arguing that her cruelty is born of the desperation of the moment rather than being a basic element within in her nature.

Lady Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's moat fascinating creations. One immediately reacts to her image as if all the forces of cunning and heartlessness in the universe combined to form the prototype of the femme fatale. And yet, upon examination of the character as she speaks in the play, one is drawn to the conclusion that there is more of the woman and wife than of the witch about her.

The reader first meets Lady Macbeth as she reads the news of the witches’ salutations and prophecies. With a grim determination she resolves to make the promises of the black sisters come...

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