Macbeth · Character

Lady Macbeth

Macbeth's fierce, clear-eyed wife, who reads his letter and instantly resolves that the crown must be taken tonight, not waited for.

major

Also known as Lady Macbeth Alack, Lady Macbeth Nought, Lady Macbeth Who dares receive it other

First appearance: macbeth

As a major figure in Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Reads Macbeth's letter, resolves to push him to murder, and invokes spirits to 'unsex' her and fill her with cruelty.

In the storyScene VOpen this moment free

See Lady Macbeth in Scene V Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Where her husband hesitates, Lady Macbeth calculates, calling on spirits to unsex her and thicken her blood so no compunction can shake her purpose. She fears his nature is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way, so she plans to pour her spirits in his ear and take the night's great business into her own dispatch. Her bond with Macbeth is a partnership of greatness that will be tested by every murder it demands.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Lady Macbeth sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lady Macbeth in macbeth

Character Web

9 connections

A slice of how Lady Macbeth sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Supernatural and Royal Influences

+4 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene marks the dramatic climax because it presents the definitive psychological and strategic turning po…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Malcolm
rivalry · negative
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Malcolm's enemy and complicit in the murder of his father,… How this plays out →
Lord
rivalry · negative
Malcolm
rivalry · negative
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Malcolm's enemy and complicit in the murder of his father,… How this plays out →
Malcolm
rivalry · negative
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Malcolm's enemy and complicit in the murder of his father,… How this plays out →
Lord
rivalry · negative

Malcolm
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Malcolm's enemy and complicit in the murder of his father, making her his adversary.
Lord
Lady Macbeth is the queen of the usurper, while the Lord opposes her husband's rule, making them political enemies.
Malcolm
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Malcolm's enemy and complicit in the murder of his father, making her his adversary.
Malcolm
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Malcolm's enemy and complicit in the murder of his father, making her his adversary.
Lord
Lady Macbeth is the queen of the usurper, while the Lord opposes her husband's rule, making them political enemies.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lady Macbeth in macbeth

In the story

Lady Macbeth appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene V
Reads Macbeth's letter, resolves to push him to murder, and invokes spirits to 'unsex' her and fill her with cruelty.
Scene VI
Greets Duncan with formal humility, masking her treacherous intentions.
Scene VII
Ridicules Macbeth's hesitation and resolves to carry out the murder, demonstrating her ruthless ambition.
Scene II
Bold and resolute, she drugs the grooms, takes charge of the daggers, and chides Macbeth for his fear.
Scene III
Faints after hearing the news of Duncan's murder, possibly feigning distress.
Scene I
Lady Macbeth appears as queen, welcoming Banquo to the feast.
Scene II
Lady Macbeth feels discontent despite achieving her desires, and urges Macbeth to appear cheerful. She is excluded from the details of the planned murder.
Scene IV
Attempts to cover for Macbeth's strange behavior and urges him to act like a man.
Scene I
Observed sleepwalking, obsessively washing her hands, and muttering about the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff.
Scene III
Mentioned as suffering from 'thick-coming fancies' that disturb her rest.
Scene V
Reported dead offstage; her death prompts Macbeth's famous soliloquy.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lady Macbeth unlock in the free preview.

See Lady Macbeth in macbeth

See Lady Macbeth in Scene V