Can someone mark my macbeth essay

THE QUESTION IS HOW DOES SHAKESPEARE PRESENT LADY MACBETH’S STATE OF MIND [act 5 scene 1]

In the archetypal Scottish play “Macbeth”, Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth as a construct to explore the effects of unchecked ambition, and how it can lead to your demise. Through the clear decline of her mental stability, Shakespeare warns the audience of the dire consequences of immorality and greed for power.


In Act 1 Scene 5, Shakespeare presents Lady Macbeth as a construct to explore the tragic, destructive and detrimental effects ambition can have when it goes unchecked. Lady Macbeth’s mental health is seen to be rapidly deteriorating as she unconsciously rambles to herself “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”; the noun “spot” is used as a metaphor for the guilt that is consuming her after her wicked act of regicide. It illustrates the image that she feels as though she’s stained, dirty and impure- the blasphemous act of regicide has left her filthy and foul. The repetition of this metaphorical implication conveys her obsession with the treacherous sin she has committed, further highlighting the remorse she feels. Her obsession is also evident through the use of the biblical adjective “damned”; she acknowledges that her sinful acts have cursed her with Hell; her soul will face the wrath of hellfire. Perhaps Shakespeare used this biblical language to please the Christian Jacobean audience as they would have seen this to be a fit divine punishment for such an abhorrent woman. However, it could have also acted as a reminder to the audience to not commit such acts against King James I (who this play was originally performed) and a condemnation of the gunpowder plot committed against him in 1606. Moreover, the use of the exclamation marks and imperative verb “out” reflects how she still believes she is in control which contrasts her actual state of mind. The juxtaposition between her words and her actions emphasises her loss of sanity- she no longer has a hold on reality. She no longer was the assertive, dominating and assured woman she was introduced as in the play but rather a guilt-ridden shell of her past self. Shakespeare has done this to staunchly convey the consequences of evil, detestable actions (ie, regicide or dealing with the supernatural); God will not wait to punish you in just the afterlife, but instead, allow your mind to recreate Hell on earth to you.

The idea that she is no longer domineering, powerful and zealous is reinforced when she tells the doctor “All the perfumes of Arabia won't sweeten this little hand”, clearly displaying her deep, troubled inner conflict. The phrase “perfumes of Arabia” illustrates the magnitude of the sin she has committed; historically, Arabian culture is tied to the use of their powerful, sought-after perfumes. She has so indulged herself in such darkness and evil that nothing satisfactory or good can save her, furthermore exposing her vulnerable state. By invoking this cultural association, Shakespeare uses this metaphor to draw attention to the idea that not even the most powerful and alluring scents cannot mask the guilt of one’s actions. Alternatively, the use of “Arabia” can also reflect Lady Macbeth’s realisation that her position in power is no longer enough to make her feel fulfilled. No amount of wealth, luxury or power can compare to the overbearing guilt that is eating away at her. She has finally realised that, although she is opulent and prosperous in this life, her abominable and blasphemous actions have cost her her blessed afterlife.

Interestingly, this metaphor is a direct contrast to her earlier “a little water clears us of this deed”, mocking Macbeth for his already present guilt. The adjective “little” exhibits how she originally viewed her odious sin as insignificant, slight and trivial. Her immense thirst for power blinded her, preventing her from deciphering between right and wrong and leading her astray. This immoral mindset would have evoked disgust and abhorrence from the audience as they are bewildered by her lack of principles and values. To a Jacobean audience, the act of regicide was possibly one of the most grave sins you could commit as it was an act against God. The fact she did not feel shame after it, let alone plan it, would have deemed her an evil, ghastly and wicked character. Furthermore, the fact that she feels as though washing their hands “clears us of this deed” suggests that she foolishly believes she would only regret the regicide if they were caught . Shakespeare’s use of irony here conveys how her ambition has gone as far as to turn her into a state of delusion- she did not understand the magnitude of sin, causing her to later suffer abundantly as a result of this. However, the use of irony emphasises the direct contrast of her personality throughout the play, exhibiting how direly remorse has changed her. Rather than a confident, bold and desirous antagonist we are met with a weak, unstable and irrational character. Moreover, the use of the inclusive pronoun “us”, suggests she views her and her husband as of equal status. Instead of being subservient and obedient wife, Lady Macbeth took charge of the relationship, guiding her husband to follow her commands. In a patriarchal society, this would have been absurd and outrageous as it was unconventional for a woman to be ambitious or demanding like a man. Lady Macbeth’s rejection of her assigned role in society would have fueled the audience's loath towards her, evoking the idea that she is evil and transgressive. Furthermore, directing the anger of the already misogynistic audience off of Macbeth and towards his wife. Conceivably, Shakespeare has done this to criticise society’s expectation of women and the deprival of power- communicating to the audience that the consequences of inequality in a society can be severe.

Moreover, Shakespeare depicts Lady Macbeth as a woman who was subjected to malicious, violent and gruesome thoughts. Her imperious ways eliminated any sympathy or feminity she held as she goes as to say “I would, while it was smiling in my face…dashed the brains out had I so sworn as you have done it”, suggesting she would murder a child in order to obtain power. The violent verb “dashed” paints the image of Lady Macbeth pummeling, hurling and wrecking an innocent child, conveying how she would go to extreme lengths to fulfil her desires. Obviously, exhibiting her rejection patriarchal role of femininity and maternity but also her rejection of the duty to provide a baby for her husband. Thus, reinstating Shakespeare's perception of a patriarchal society and its oppression of women. If women aren't allowed to gain power on their own- they will find other measures to obtain it, ie through their husbands thus Lady Macbeth’s persistence towards Macbeth. In addition, the use of consonance curates aggressive sounds reflecting her aggressiveness and assertiveness, while also implying she desires Macbeth to be wrathful as he kills King Duncan. Moreover, her wrath towards the king can be perceived as her want to attack God himself (as Jacobean society believed that the monarch was personally chosen by God, to act as God in the social hierarchy). From the quote “Take my milk for gall”, we can infer that the couple did in fact have a baby but lost it. Their thirst for power and overly ambitious nature could be a result of the emotional torment they are suffering due to their grievance; Lady Macbeth is spiteful towards God as He denied her a child, thus leading to her act of regicide as a form of revenge. The malice and malevolence she exudes could be her way of releasing her frustration. Moreover, possibly reduces the audience’s detest towards her and instead induces some sympathy and perhaps empathy towards Lady Macbeth.


To conclude, it is clear that Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth to communicate to the audience that unchecked ambition can destroy you. He exhorts the need to suppress your greed and desires by conveying the downfall of a once dominating, fierce and robust like Lady Macbeth and the divine punishments that may be awaiting your sinful acts.