Macbeth - Lesson 18 - The Changing Lady Macbeth Worksheet

The transformation of Lady Macbeth throughout Shakespeare's tragic play is explored in depth in Lesson 18, titled "The Changing Lady Macbeth." This particular worksheet encourages students to examine and compare the stark differences between the ambitious and manipulative figure we first encounter in Act One and the profoundly altered character we see by Act Five. Initially, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a powerful, determined woman who is instrumental in spurring her husband into committing regicide. She is unyielding and resolute, embodying a strength that even Macbeth himself seems to lack.

However, as the play progresses towards its climax in Act Five, Lady Macbeth's facade begins to crumble, revealing a character who is deeply troubled by the weight of her actions. The worksheet prompts students to reflect on this dramatic shift, analyzing how guilt and the consequences of her ambition lead to a deteriorating state of mind. This change is most poignantly depicted in her sleepwalking scene, where she is tormented by the blood on her hands, a stark contrast to her earlier assertiveness. Students are encouraged to delve into the psychological complexity of Lady Macbeth's character, considering the themes of power, guilt, and mental collapse that Shakespeare weaves into her narrative arc.