Lady Macbeth facts for kids
Lady Macbeth is a well-known character from William Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth. She is the wife of the main character, Macbeth, who is a Scottish nobleman. Lady Macbeth plays a big part in convincing her husband to kill the king. After this terrible act, she becomes the Queen of Scotland. Later in the play, she starts to feel very guilty about what she has done. She dies off-stage near the end of the story.
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Who is Lady Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth is one of the most powerful and complex female characters in all of Shakespeare's plays. She is known for her strong will and ambition. At first, she seems even more determined than Macbeth. She pushes him to commit a terrible crime to gain power.
Where Did the Idea Come From?
Shakespeare often got ideas for his plays from history books. For Lady Macbeth, he looked at a book called Holinshed's Chronicles (1587). This book told stories about the history of Britain.
The character of Lady Macbeth seems to be a mix of two different women from Holinshed's book. One was a wife who encouraged her husband, Donwald, to kill King Duff. The other was Macbeth's own wife, who was also very ambitious, in the story of King Duncan. Shakespeare combined these ideas to create the Lady Macbeth we know today.
Her Role in the Play
Lady Macbeth is central to the plot of Macbeth. She is the one who first encourages her husband to take drastic action. Her ambition drives much of the early part of the play.
The Plan to Kill the King
When Macbeth hears a prophecy that he will become king, Lady Macbeth quickly decides they must make it happen. She believes Macbeth is too kind to do what is needed. She pushes him to be ruthless and brave. She helps him plan the murder of King Duncan. She even takes part in the crime herself.
Becoming Queen and Feeling Guilty
After King Duncan is killed, Macbeth becomes king, and Lady Macbeth becomes queen. But their new power does not bring them happiness. Lady Macbeth starts to feel very guilty about their actions. She struggles with her conscience. This guilt slowly breaks her down. She begins to sleepwalk and talk about the terrible things they did. Her guilt eventually leads to her death.
Images for kids
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Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth by John Singer Sargent, 1889.
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The Sleepwalking Lady Macbeth by Johann Heinrich Füssli, late 18th century. (Musée du Louvre)
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A print of Lady Macbeth from Mrs. Anna Jameson's 1832 analysis of Shakespeare's heroines, Characteristics of Women.
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Sarah Siddons in the sleepwalking scene
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Photograph of Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, an 1888 production
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Jeanette Nolan in the Banquet Scene from Orson Welles' Macbeth (1948)
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Gabriel von Max's depiction of Lady Macbeth.
See also
In Spanish: Lady Macbeth para niños
