How is Lady Macbeth portrayed as evil in Macbeth?

Question

So far I have her manipulation of Macbeth, and defiance of traditional gender roles?

Answer 1

Lady Macbeth manipulating her husband and usurping gender roles are solid topics for showcasing her as evil. If a third item is needed, I suggest you also look at the inherent morality in saying she is evil- profoundly wicked or sinful.

Macbeth is full of religious references. Lady Macbeth calls on "...spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts," plots murder (a mortal sin), and is obviously duplicitous in her greeting of King Duncan at Inverness. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth does not doubt the witches' prophecy, whose actions are normally driven by Hecate ( a goddess). You could explore Lady Macbeth being a pagan due to her beliefs- which Shakespeare's England would have persecuted. Or you could simply acknowledge Christianity was the dominant religion and all characters would have known the moral code of conduct; Lady Macbeth chooses to behave in an immoral manner, therefore she is evil.

Answer 2

Ah Macbeth, one of my favorites. Yes she is portrayed as evil. you are completely correct. She’s a cunning, ruthless, manipulative bitch without a conscience. She leads her husband down a dark path of treachery and violence resulting in suffering, death, and tragedy.