Question

In your opinion, which character is more evil, Macbeth or Lady Macbeth? Explain why and provide at least two examples of specific evidence from the play to support your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:  As this is an opinion, I will say Macbeth.

Explanation:

Macbeth proves to be more evil than Lady Macbeth.  

1. While she plays a very devious role as inspiring him to commit the deeds of murder, in the final analysis, Macbeth is the one to commit these acts.

2. While Lady Macbeth does display some level of regret, guilt, or remorse about her actions, Macbeth plunges into a deeper moral abyss with his actions and the depravity they represent.  Both characters can fit the label of being evil with their actions and thoughts, Lady Macbeth still had the ability of compassion or even empathy that Macbeth did not possess.

Answer 2

Answer:

Lady Macbeth is the most interesting character in the first two acts. She cares about her husband and is eager to see him rise in rank. She says he is worthy of being greater than what he is now:

Explanation:

Great Glamis! Worthy Cawdor!

Greater than both, by the all-hail hereafter!

She is ambitious, purposeful, and determined. Unlike Macbeth, she seldom wavers about a decision. She has already made up her mind on how to influence Macbeth:  

Hie thee hither,

That I may pour my spirits in thine ear;

And chastise with the valor of my tongue

All that impedes thee from the golden round…

When Lady Macbeth realizes that her husband is weak, she prays that she will be filled with “direst cruelty” so that she can make him firm in his purpose. Lady Macbeth wishes that she were not a woman so that she could directly act to make her husband the king.

She can remain calm during times of crisis. It is Lady Macbeth who places the bloody daggers with the chamberlains, or guards, when Macbeth forgets to do so after he kills Duncan. She tells Macbeth

Infirm of purpose!  

Give me the daggers . . .

I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal,

For it must seem their guilt.

She exhibits strongly contrasting traits. She may be an affectionate mother, but she would be willing to kill her child if it would help Macbeth become king:  

I have given suck, and know  

How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me:

I would, while it was smiling in my face,

Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums

And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you

Have done to this.

However, her inability to murder the sleeping king, who reminds her of her father, shows that she is not inhuman.

Lady Macbeth is confident and cunning. She doesn’t let any of her devious plans get in her way of graciously welcoming Duncan and his group. She also plans the murder and places the daggers after the murder to implicate the king's guards.

Her confidence is apparent when she tells her husband, “leave all the rest to me.” She also assures him that a murder is not a very difficult task, and that they hardly need fear its consequences:

A little water clears us of this deed:

How easy is it then!