Lady Macbeth's Character Analysis and Decline

The first act establishes Lady Macbeth as a formidable and ambitious character who actively challenges traditional gender roles. Her initial strength and manipulation of Macbeth demonstrate her powerful position at the start of the play.

Quote: "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't" - This demonstrates her manipulative nature and strategic thinking.

Highlight: Lady Macbeth's connection to the supernatural is established early through her invocation of dark spirits, setting up her eventual psychological decline.

Example: Her use of emotional blackmail and emasculation tactics with Macbeth shows her initial control over their relationship, such as when she questions his manhood and courage.

Vocabulary: Emasculation - The act of making a man feel less masculine or powerful, a tactic Lady Macbeth frequently employs.

Definition: The "unsex me here" speech represents Lady Macbeth's attempt to reject traditional feminine qualities in favor of masculine strength and cruelty.

The character's progression through the play shows a steady decline, culminating in her sleepwalking scene and eventual suicide. Her diminishing presence in the later acts, particularly her absence in Act Four, symbolizes her growing irrelevance to Macbeth's schemes and her loss of power and control.