Lady Macbeth's Downfall

Act 1 Scene 5

Jan 1, 1000

Lady Macbeth reads the letter from her husband Macbeth, enlightening her of his meeting with the Witches and his new title. She believes that he has the ambition to become king but does not hold the ruthless nature to make it happen. Upon hearing the news that Duncan is coming to stay in Dunsinane, Lady Macbeth calls on spirits to contain her feminine instincts and replace them with ruthless nature. On Macbeth’s arrival they begin to plot the murder of King Duncan.

Act 1 Scene 5

Jan 2, 1000

Lady Macbeth, at the beginning of the scene reflects her happiness for her husband and the same ambition she holds to help him gain kingship. With her ambitious mind she knows without a ruthless nature there is no chance for Macbeth to become king. She asks spirits to strip her of her femininity and replace it will cruelty and power. This is the beginning of her downfall as she believes she has the power and strength to overrun and rule all.

Act 1 Scene 5

Jan 3, 1000

Key Quotes
“Unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty!” – Lady Macbeth
“Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes” – Lady Macbeth
“Your face, my thane, is a book where men may read strange matters.” – Lady Macbeth
“Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.” – Lady Macbeth

Act 1 Scene 7

Mar 1, 1000

Lady Macbeth follows Macbeth out of the banquet; they discuss his emotional unrest about killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth criticises his manhood and courage and follows by persuading his decision so they begin to plan that they will kill Duncan while he sleeps.

Act 1 Scene 7

Mar 2, 1000

Lady Macbeth’s ambitious mind can be used to her own advantage as she is able to manipulate Macbeth’s choices. They have a strong bond and share similar thoughts and emotions about situations. This is a contributor to Lady Macbeth’s downfall as she wants the best for her husband meaning she will go to great lengths even if it means changing Macbeth’s decisions. Although she thinks it is for his own good she can see that her husband is slowly loosing his mind as is she.

Act1 Scene 7

Mar 3, 1000

Key Quotes
“When you durst do it, then you are a man; and, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man.” – Lady Macbeth
“Screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail.” – Lady Macbeth
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” – Macbeth

Act 2 Scene 2

May 1, 1000

Nervous Lady Macbeth waits the return of Macbeth. Macbeth who is clearly disturbed by what he has done returns with the daggers still in his hands. Lady Macbeth is horrified by this and demands he returns them. She then returns them after his refusal. Macbeth reflects on his guilt and the consequences of what he has done.

Act 2 Scene 2

May 2, 1000

Lady Macbeth is good at hiding her emotions and masking her true anxieties. This is her high point in the play as she has no recollection of the true consequences that are to come of the murder. She continues in her plotting in order to see the success of her husband.

Act 2 Scene 2

May 3, 1000

Key Quotes

“ ’tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil.” – Lady Macbeth
“My hands are of your colour; but I shame to wear a heart so white.” – Lady Macbeth
“Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!” – Macbeth

Act 3 Scene 2

Jul 1, 1000

Lady Macbeth reflects on her unhappiness, while Macbeth enters speaking of insecurity and his tortured mind. They discuss the need to hide their anxieties from those around them in order to hide suspicion. They begin to plot Banquo’s murder without suggestion of their final plan.

Act 3 Scene 2

Jul 2, 1000

Lady Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state sees dramatic down turn in her ambition. Whilst she is determined to hide all her unhappiness it is Macbeth that knows the truth. She becomes increasing anxious around others but digs deep to hide her true emotions.

Act 3 Scene 2

Jul 3, 1000

Key Quotes
“Things without all remedy should be without regard: what’s done is done.” – Lady Macbeth
“Things bad begun made strong themselves ill.” – Macbeth

Act 5 Scene 1

Sep 1, 1000

The Gentlewomen talks to the Doctor about Lady Macbeth’s strange behaviour. Lady Macbeth enters sleepwalking and begins talking in disjointed language. She reveals the murders that she and her husband have planned and committed and reflects on her guilt. She continues to reveal her inability to wash the imaginative blood off her hands.

Act 5 Scene 1

Sep 2, 1000

Scene 1 of Act 5 draws upon the lowest of Lady Macbeth’s mental state, as she is finding it hard to establish her ambition. Although she has got what her and her husband have wanted from the beginning of the play neither of them feel safe or proud of how they got there. She is on the brink of life and does not want to carry on.

Act 5 Scene 1

Sep 3, 1000

Key Quotes
“The Thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?” – Lady Macbeth
“Here’s a smell of the blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” – Lady Macbeth
“This disease is beyond my practise” – Doctor

Act 5 Scene 5

Nov 1, 1000

Macbeth is preparing for battle when he is alerted of Lady Macbeth’s death. He speaks of his pointless life.

Act 5 Scene 5

Nov 2, 1000

It is clearly highlighted in this scene that her guilt ridden mind could no longer withstand reality and she is therefore forced herself into suicide.

Act 5 Scene 5

Nov 3, 1000

“She should have died hereafter” – Macbeth
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day” – Macbeth
“Out, out, brief candle!” - Macbeth