Student Question
As Lady Macbeth's defense lawyer, how would you prove her innocence?
Quick answer:
To prove Lady Macbeth's innocence, one could argue that she did not commit the murder herself, as Macbeth killed King Duncan in Act II, Scene II. Additionally, her actions in framing the attendants could be seen as efforts to protect her husband and herself in a male-dominated society, rather than direct involvement in the murder.
The charge laid against Lady Macbeth is that she manipulates her husband into committing the murder of King Duncan. However, if we look a little deeper, we can find a number of points to prove her innocence.
Firstly, if murder is defined as the act of killing, then Lady Macbeth is completely innocent. Remember that in Act II, Scene II, it is Macbeth who stabs King Duncan. Lady Macbeth is not even present in his chamber. In fact, when Lady Macbeth is incapable of committing this act because of Duncan’s resemblance to her own father. In terms of innocence, then, you cannot blame someone who is not involved in the act itself.
Secondly, it could be argued that Lady Macbeth is involved in covering up Macbeth’s role in the murder by framing Duncan’s attendants. However, if we look at this from a different perspective, Lady Macbeth is simply trying...
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to protect the man she loves. Moreover, Macbeth had already committed the crime, leaving Lady Macbeth with very little choices about what to do next. If the other nobles found out what Macbeth had done, then he would surely be executed. This would not only separate her from her husband, but in a male-dominated world, would leave her facing an uncertain future. By blaming the murder on the attendants, Lady Macbeth was simply protecting herself and the man she loved.