Lady Macbeth Now and Then

E.

“A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then!” (2.2.86-87)
This is the situation when Macbeth decides that he will not proceed the plan of murdering King Duncan because he believes that he saw blood stains on his dagger. However, Lady Macbeth who is in a great desire for power and authority convinces Macbeth that the plan will go well and everything will be fine. Due to her strong persuasion, Macbeth decides to assassinate King Duncan and seize the throne again.
In this situation, Lady Macbeth is boiling with lust for her power. Therefore, if I was Lady Macbeth at that situation, I will be frustrated with Macbeth because it is not only chance for Macbeth to hold the throne but also for me to be in the position where so much control can fall upon me. However, Macbeth is trying to let go of the opportunity. Also, in this kind of situation, I believe that there is nothing else in Lady Macbeth’s mind other than the brilliant future and the great dream that she might accomplish. That is why she says “little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then!” , not even considering the consequences that may follow after the assassination.

“What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” (5.1.45)
This is the situation when a doctor comes to Dunsinane to have a look at Lady Macbeth’s strange illness of sleepwalking. As the doctor is talking to the gentlewoman, Lady Macbeth suddenly enters the scene as she is sleepwalking and subconsciously talks about the assassination of Macduffs and Banquo. She says that the smell of blood cannot be removed from her hands and nothing even the finest perfume from Arabia will not do so. Then everyone is sort of amazed at Lady Macbeth’s symptom and the story that she speak of.
The feeling that Lady Macbeth experiences at this situation is afraid and worried. As Macbeth finished another plan of murder other than that of Duncan and Banquo, Lady Macbeth is now in concern of her hands are also sanguinary and cannot erase the guilt that she and Macbeth has committed. Now she is feeling guilty to the greater degree than Macbeth and believes that nothing will be able to get rid of the blood that is spilled all over her hands. “What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” Psychologically Lady Macbeth is in a great suffering where she cannot endure the pain of guilt.

These two lines show a great comparison between the characterization of Lady Macbeth from the beginning of the play to the almost the end of the play. It is clear that Lady Macbeth is very ambitious person in the early stage because of her strong persuasion and the luring words that put Macbeth back on the track of killing Duncan. On the other hand, when the play is about to end, Lady Macbeth, has a such a transformation to a person who is now all concerned about the guilt that she has committed and ashamed of what she have done; making the readers to go “Huh? What happened to her?”