Lady Macbeth is strong, ruthless, and ambitious. She is also at the mercy of living in a world where women are not publicly allowed any power.

It is she who suggests to Macbeth that they should kill Duncan in order to make the witches’ prophecy come true. Seemingly more strong-willed than Macbeth, she helps her husband recover from his fear after he kills Duncan, and helps the cover up. But as Macbeth grows more and more used to being a tyrant following Duncan’s murder, Lady Macbeth suffers more and more from guilt.

She goes mad and finally kills herself. 

Motto

I feel now
The future in the instant

— Act I, scene 5

Need to know

• Married to Macbeth

• Helps to murder Duncan in her house

Key quote

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!

— Act I, scene 5

Also called

My dearest partner of greatness
— Act I, scene 5

Fair and noble hostess
— Act I, scene 6

O gentle lady
— Act II, scene 3

fiend- like Queen
— Act V, scene 9

Titles

Queen
— Act V, scene 9