Macbeth Group

Question:

mayhem123
mayhem123
Student
College - Junior

In "Macbeth," what makes Lady Macbeth more guilty than her husband?

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Posted by mayhem123 on Saturday November 8, 2008 at 1:48 AM and tagged with characters, guilt, lady macbeth, macbeth.

Answers:

  1. parkerlee
    parkerlee Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    At first Macbeth is only half-decided to murder Duncan. It is only with his wife's insistence that he actually follows through with the act. At one point she taunts Macbeth, saying that if he doesn't have the nerve to do it, she will do it herself. This is a subtle attack at his manliness and virility. 

    Lady Macbeth is the instigator of the murder and in a way seduces her husband to give in to his baser instincts. It is interesting to note that in many countries the law inculpates the person who had the idea to commit a crime more than the one who actually performs the deed.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/lady-macbeth-character-anal...

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    Posted by parkerlee on Saturday November 8, 2008 at 3:29 AM


  2. eaglecat Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Lady Macbeth is more guilty than Macbeth for two reasons.  First, and most important, she premeditated the entire idea of the murder by manipulating Macbeth.  She questioned his manhood and resolve.  Second, she showed the least remorse.  Even when Macbeth trembled at what he had done, she still remained cold and calm, saying that just a little water would take care of the blood.  She was the one to go back for the daggers.  Lady Macbeth was the one with the least conscience in this play.  Even when she went a crazy in the end, she wasn't struggling with guilt in the way that Macbeth did. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth

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    Posted by eaglecat on Saturday November 8, 2008 at 7:43 AM