Lady Macbeths Guilty Conscience in Act 5 - Coursework Example

When Lady Macbeth gets up from her bed, she does the motions as of washing her hands. This is another sign of ill conscience, of some cruelty committed by her. To wash someone’s hand means the person takes off responsibility for certain actions of his or of someone else. Lady Macbeth continuously tries to “wash her hands” of the blood, and it seems she does not succeed in it. It proves that Lady Macbeth’s mind is not at peace even when she sleeps. “It is an accustomed action with her, to seem/ thus washing her hands. I have known her to continue in / this a quarter of an hour.” (4.1.25-27)

2. Is the murder of Duncan the only death that troubles Lady Macbeth? Answer specifically with direct quotations from the text.
It is not only Duncan’s death that troubles Lady Macbeth. We do not know, if she feels guilty for many deaths her husband caused, such as the death of Macduff’s family, but we do know she feels responsible for Banquo’s murder. In her state of sleepwalking she talks to Macbeth “I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried; he/cannot come out on's grave.” (5.1.57-58)
3. Are you satisfied that Lady Macbeth is revealed in this state at the beginning of Act 5, or do you think that she should have had more scenes through the middle of the play? Explain your answer.

Shakespeare skips the whole development of Lady Macbeth becoming so mentally ill that, in her sleep, she reveals the crimes she is guilty of. From the very beginning of the play, she was a strong woman. She hardened herself purposely to act evil and to shed innocent blood. She knew of her guilt and that is of her husband’s. She tried hard not to let any sign of that out, even when her husband had fits of hallucinations, she would cover up for him. Now, Macbeth became strong; he mastered cruelty as a defense against his ill conscience. Now it is Lady Macbeth’s turn to become weak, albeit unconsciously, and in that state she reveals herself.
4. What does the Doctor mean when he says of Lady Macbeth, "Therein the patient/ Must minister to himself" (5.3.45-46)?
The Doctor just witnessed Lady Macbeth’s confession and he knows that bloody crimes are weighing heavily on her soul. “[Her] heart is sorely charged.” (5.1.47) No medicine would make her soul lighter. The rest for the troubled soul is found only in confession and forgiveness if it is possible. And that is something the Doctor has no power over – it is ultimately up to Lady Macbeth to find that peace of mind and soul.

5. Describe Macbeth's state of mind in scene 3.
He is receiving news after news that his thanes will not join his forces to fight; on the contrary, some of them are joining the English army that is fast approaching. Macbeth is showing off his bravery. When the messenger comes with the ill news, Macbeth scorns and makes fun of him – that is oftentimes done by bullies picking on the weaker one to “prove” their strength and bravery. Then, even though it is not time yet to fight, Macbeth asks to bring his armor. He is both upset and wants to be prepared for the battle he knows will be not only about his throne but also about his life. However, he comforts himself with the words of witches’ prophecies; that he will not die at the hand of a man that born of a woman, so he thinks of himself invincible. He draws his strength from the prophecy. Also, it was promised to him that he has nothing to fear “Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane” (5.3.2) – it seems impossible as well.

6. In his grief for Lady Macbeth, Macbeth reminds us for a moment of Macduff.
Compare and contrast the emotions and reactions of both men as they learn of their wives' deaths.
Are there other clear examples of ways in which Macduff and Macbeth are parallel characters? (i.e. emotions, relationships, situations, etc.) Explain.
On the contrary, when Macbeth hears of his wife's death, there is hardly an emotion. Just a moment ago we read about him being amused at the thought she did not feel fear for a while, and in the next scene – we see his indifference toward his wife and her death. He became a monster with no feelings. He has no integrity. He does a lot of killing, but no deeds in the open. He only cares for his throne, not even so much for the country overall.

7. How does Lady Macbeth die? Quote and cite lines from the end of the act to support your response.
After the news that the queen is dead, there are no more mentions as to how did that happen. Only almost at the very end of the act, Malcolm says that “fiend-like queen, / Who, as ’tis thought, by self and violent hands / Took off her life” (5.7.79-81) thus saying that Lady Macbeth committed suicide, even though he is not specifying by which means. Read More