Question

Macbeth Act 5 and scene 1 how has Lady Macbeth's demeanor changed from previous scenes?

Answer 1

Answer:

In this scene, Lady Macbeth seems to have gone completely mad.  Of course, it is only happening when she is asleep, but her sleepwalking seems to show that she is deeply troubled.

She keeps getting up and doing things like pretending to wash her hands -- sometimes for fifteen minutes straight.  She talks about the "spot" and about blood.  Clearly, she is feeling guilt over the murders.

The gentlewoman does not really speak her feelings, but I think she is afraid.  She says she has heard something she shouldn't have.  And she says she doesn't want to tell what she's heard because (the implication is) Lady Macbeth would know she had told.  So I think she is afraid of her mistress.

Explanation: