How Does Lady Macbeth Die
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Lady Macbeth, the wife of the titular character in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, is one of the most iconic female villains in literature. She is as renowned for her ambitious nature, willingness to do anything to gain power and influence, and her guilt-ridden yet determined spirit, as she is infamous for her ability to manipulate her husband and her own brashness. She is a complex character and her death is as mysterious as the Lady herself.
There is much speculation as to how Lady Macbeth dies. In the play, she is not seen or mentioned after act five and her ultimate fate is never explicitly stated. There are only hints and hints at the possibilities. It is commonly believed that Lady Macbeth kills herself either out of guilt for her part in the murders or out of a fear of consequences for her husband’s actions.
The first suggestion of her death comes in the closing lines of act five, when Macbeth declares to his doctor that, “She should have died hereafter.” This is a common literary device used to imply death, as when someone is due to die, they are said to “die hereafter”. This statement also reflects Macbeth’s depressed, guilt-ridden mental state before and after his wife’s death, showing how much her loss has taken a toll on him.
Another suggestion of Lady Macbeth’s demise is in the former King Duncan’s son’s speech, which reads: “What, in our house?/ Good things of day begin to droop and drowse,/ While night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.” In this passage, Lady Macbeth is inferred to have died by a mysterious illness. This could be interpreted to mean that the guilt and the horror she felt in the aftermath of the cruel murders weighed heavily on her mind, leading to her demise.
Finally, some theorists have suggested that her death may have occurred due to a suicide, an inescapable punishment for her role in the murders. After showing signs of confusion and madness in the later acts of the play, Lady Macbeth could have taken her own life in a desperate attempt to exorcise her sins.
Regardless of how Lady Macbeth dies, her tragic end serves to further emphasize her complex character and the consequences that come with a devotion to ambition and power.