Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a very powerful and poignant play. It establishes a strong connection with the audience through several key features, the most obvious being the cunning use of tragic figures. Widely known as a tragedy, Macbeth weaves together the actions and thoughts of several tragic figures to create a lens through which we can understand the tragic enigma of the play. The most prominent of these figures is the notorious Lady Macbeth.

It may be argued that Macbeth, the titular character, is more worthy of being named a tragic hero. However, although Macbeth’s actions do move the plot along, the mind behind the murders is that of Lady Macbeth. This assertion is supported by the fact that Macbeth is baffled in Act 1, Scene 2 when the witches address him as ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and ‘King.’ Macbeth does acquire personal ambition or desire for greatness. However, this desire is not innate, but rather planted by Banquo and intentionally cultivated by Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s thirst for murder when she states in Act 1, Scene 5, “Hie thee (Macbeth) hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round” (31). Later, we see further evidence of Lady Macbeth’s evil intentions when she expresses to be “unsexed” and become filled “of direst cruelty” (Shakespeare 33).

True to her desires, when Macbeth arrives, Lady Macbeth advises him, “Bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue. Look like th’ innocent flower, But be the serpent under ‘t (Shakespeare 35). This advice leads to the murder of King Duncan in Act 2, Scene 2. Although Donalbain escapes murder, It is now clear to the reader that Lady Macbeth desires naught but to destroy any threat that may contradict her husband in the acquisition of his “rightful” throne. We also note the effect Lady Macbeth is having on Macbeth when he addresses the murderers in Act 3, Scene 2 to kill both Banquo and his son “To leave no rubs not botches in the work” (Shakespeare 91). Lady Macbeth justifies these murders when she claims, “Naught’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.” (Shakespeare 91) The final effect Lady Macbeth has on Macbeth is culminated when he visits the witches and, as a result decides, “The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword His wife, his babes, and all the unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” (Shakespeare 131) It is now certain that Macbeth has been blinded by the urges of Lady Macbeth and her promises of power and strength. He has become a ruthless figure, who shall go to any extent to achieve greatness.

A truly tragic play, Macbeth reveals the evil which resides in human nature, and the extent to which one person may manipulate another. Lady Macbeth’s actions lead to the murders of King Duncan, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s children as well as the suffering of Macduff, Donalbain, Banquo’s children, Macbeth, and most of all, herself. Lady Macbeth led to her own insanity in Act 5, Scene 1 and Macbeth’s constant guilt throughout the play.  Moreover, Lady Macbeth is the most identifiable tragic figure in the play. She plays a crucial role in delivering Shakespeare’s message to the audience, through other character’s sufferings.

Ayah Gouda

Works Cited:
Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. New York: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2011. Print.