Lady M Act 4

Cards (2)

  • Macbeth and Lady Macbeth role reversal
    Lady Macbeth does not appear in act 4, hence it makes her fall from grace even more rapid. She is classified as a tragic heroine as her beginning status was that of success and power, yet her absence foreshadows her impending doom. Her mental insanity and demise commence during act 4, only the audience see the consequences in act 5.
    Act 4 exposes the tyrannical role of Macbeth, which also highlights how his tyrannical rule will be put to an end. Significantly, Lady Macbeth's demise is aligned with Macbeth's demise of honour ability and nobility.
  • Comparison
    In act 5, Lady Macbeth mirrors Macbeth in her use of hyperbole - "all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand" - which diametrically opposes her former sentiments - this could either express the power of guilt or it could expose Lady Macbeths insincerity and dishonesty.