THE OTHER CHARACTERS

Lady Macbeth first comes across as a ruthless woman with no scruples. She is stronger than her husband and she is the one who urges him to murder Duncan so that he can become king.

She acts out of ambition, but also out of love for her husband. In the end, the same sense of guilt that persecutes Macbeth also affects her and is symbolised by her persistent gesture of trying to wash her hands clean from blood, which eventually drives her mad.

The contrast between good and evil is further emphasised as Macbeth and his wife become counterparts to the positive characters of Duncan, Malcom (one of Duncan's sons) and Macduff.