The Mind of Lady Macbeth

Act 1, Scene 5

Jan 1, 1000

The Letter from Macbeth Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth which informs her of Macbeth’s new title. This is the beginning of the downfall of Lady Macbeth’s mind because in this scene she mentions that Macbeth is has ambition to take the throne, but lacks the ruthless nature required to get there. Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to make her emotionally tough like the males are perceived to be.

Act 1, Scene 5

Jan 2, 1000

The Letter From Macbeth - Continued She also warns Macbeth that he must appear innocent on the outside but must actually be merciless enough to commit the deed. This scene shows the beginning of her undoing. It clearly highlights her ambitions and desires and the extent she would go to gain her deepest wishes.

Act 1, Scene 5

Jan 3, 1000

The Letter From Macbeth - Continued Key Quotes:
‘Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty!’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 37-40) ‘Your hand, your tongue; look like th’ innocent flower’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 62)

Act 1, Scene 6

Mar 1, 1000

The Arrival of King Duncan The King arrives at Dunsinane and is planning to stay the night. Lady Macbeth acts like the perfect hostess and is extremely polite and courteous. This scene is important in the unravelling of her mind this is beginning of her becoming two-faced. In this scene she is acting very politely to the King, yet on the inside is planning on killing him.

Act 1, Scene 6

Mar 2, 1000

The Arrival of King Duncan This is a trigger point for Lady Macbeth loosing her sanity as she is having to hide things from people and act a certain way in front of other people to how she thinks and acts when alone or with her husband.

Act 1, Scene 6

Mar 3, 1000

The Arrival of King Duncan Key Quotes:
‘Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,
And the late dignities heaped up to them,
We rest your hermits.’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth about King Duncan, Line 19-21) ‘Fair and noble hostess’ (Spoken by King Duncan about Lady Macbeth, Line 23)

Act 1, Scene 7

May 1, 1000

The Banquet There was a banquet to be held at Dunsinane, where guests such as King Duncan would attend. Macbeth leaves the banquet early as he is struggling with his thoughts. Lady Macbeth disapproves of his absence of courage and due to this persuades him to murder King Duncan while he sleeps. This is a key event in the downfall of Lady Macbeth’s mind. She takes lead in their relationship but more importantly takes the lead in planning the murder.

Act 1, Scene 7

May 2, 1000

The Banquet By planning the murder Lady Macbeth is forced to push aside any possibility of feelings of guilt and is now confirming that she is happy to play her part in the murder and do what is necessary for her family to gain the throne. By doing this, she is confirming that she will not tell anybody. This enormous burden, though it is not obvious at the time, affects her mental well-being immensely.

Act 1, Scene 7

May 3, 1000

The Banquet Key Quotes:
‘Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 42-43) ‘But screw your courage to the sticking-place,

Act 2, Scene 2

Jul 1, 1000

The Aftermath of the Murder of King Duncan Lady Macbeth is waiting for Macbeth to return from King Duncan’s chamber where he went to murder him. She cannot believe that Macbeth in his state of shock is still holding the bloody daggers. Macbeth refuses to return them to the chamber, afraid to face what he has done, so Lady Macbeth goes. Macbeth’s guilt is very obvious in this scene.

Act 2, Scene 2

Jul 2, 1000

The Aftermath of the Murder of King Duncan This scene plays an important part in the triggering of Lady Macbeth loosing her mind. By having to witness and play her part in covering their tracks, Lady Macbeth becomes more directly involved. She now has images and memories that she can replay over and over in her mind. It would be appropriate to assume that these thoughts assist in her mental state deteriorating.

Act 2, Scene 2

Jul 3, 1000

Key Quotes:
‘And ‘tis not done. Th’ attempt and not the deed
Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready;’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Lines 10-11) ‘A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth about Macbeth’s guilt and remorse, Line 21) ‘These deeds must not be thought
After these ways; so, it will make us mad’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 34-35) ‘My hands are of your colour; but I shame
To wear a heart so white.’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 63-64) ‘A little water c

Act 3, Scene 2

Sep 1, 1000

The Unhappiness of Lady Macbeth During this scene Lady Macbeth is thinking about her unhappiness while Macbeth talks about his uncertainty and tormented mind. They both agree they must not appear like this to their guests at the Banquet, especially since Macbeth is planning to kill Banquo. This plays a critical role in Lady Macbeth losing her sanity. In this scene she expresses her unhappiness towards what their life is turning out like.

Act 3, Scene 2

Sep 2, 1000

The Unhappiness of Lady Macbeth The fact that Lady Macbeth is admitting that maybe their quest for the throne was in fact misplaced considered they have no rightful heirs, is admitting a small defeat and error in her judgment. Due to that there are large hints that the guilt of that is slowly eating at her. However, she tries to calm herself by saying things like if you can’t fix it, don’t think about it.

Act 3, Scene 2

Sep 3, 1000

The Unhappiness of Lady Macbeth It is ironic though that she is getting so torn about what is happening since earlier, she warned Macbeth not to think about it or they will go mad. The agreement that they should be happy and act different to how they were feeling also contributes to the loss of her sanity as she is having to always play two characters. This conflicting role can contribute to the feeling of madness.

Act 3, Scene 2

Sep 4, 1000

The Unhappiness of Lady Macbeth Key Quotes:
‘Nought’s had, all’s spent,
Where our desire is got without content;
’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, lines 4-7) ‘Things without all remedy
Should be without regard: what’s done is done.
We have scorched the snake, not killed it’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, lines 11-12)

Act 5, Scene 1

Nov 1, 1000

The Sleep Talking A servant (a Gentlewoman) to Lady Macbeth talks to the Doctor about the recent behaviour of Lady Macbeth. She reports that she is sleepwalking and talking in her sleep. However, the Gentlewoman refuses to share what she has heard, though she doesn’t need to as Lady Macbeth walks past divulging all her secrets.

Act 5, Scene 2

Nov 2, 1000

The Sleep Talking This scene plays such a pivotal role in working out the mind of Lady Macbeth. When Lady Macbeth came walking through the castle, revealing her secrets and trying to wash her hands clean, it shows that she was struggling to deal with her composure. This scene shows that her condition is worsening and she is unable to deal with it all anymore.

Act 5, Scene 1

Nov 3, 1000

The Sleep Talking This scene is Lady Macbeth’s final scene before her death. This makes it a key scene in her downfall; however it is clear that her sanity was lost before this point. This scene is one of her lowest moments because in her conscious she has realized that she has lost absolutely everything and gained nothing for it.

Act 5, Scene 1

Nov 4, 1000

Key Quotes:
‘I have seen her rise from her
Bed, throw her night-gown upon her, unlock her closest, take forth
paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it and again
return to bed; yet all this while in a most fast sleep.’ (Spoken by the Gentlewoman, Lines 3-6) ‘Hell is murky!’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 27)
‘Yet
Who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him!’
(Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Lines 28-29)

Act 5, Scene 1

Nov 5, 1000

The Sleep Talking ‘The Thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Line 31) ‘I tell
You yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.’
(Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Lines 46-47) ‘What’s done cannot be undone. To bed,
To bed, to bed!’ (Spoken by Lady Macbeth, Lines 50-51) ‘To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets:
More needs she the divine than the physician.’ (Spoken by the Doctor, line 56-57)