I disagree with the final assessment of Lady Macbeth as a `fiend-like queen,' . Shakespeare's portrayal of her status and how she copes with her life, shows that she is not evil. Seventeenth century Scotland was a violent and troubled country, society was corrupt at this time, and Shakespeare uses this to show how society can reflect on to people; we can see how corruption filters, and how power is abused on Macbeth's part In this time where evil was evident, people were likely to become unsteady, Shakespeare makes physical disturbance of these times become a metaphor for emotional violence.

Act 1, Scene 5 is the first time in the play we are introduced to Lady Macbeth. It is an important scene showing the relationship between Lady Macbeth and her husband. Shakespeare shows her reading a letter, Macbeth has sent to her about the witches' prophecies. We can see they...