1. Trace the progress of the character of Lady Macbeth in the play. Who is she the first time we see her? How does she change? What is the importance of the "sleep-walking" scene? How do you feel about her at the end of the play?
             Macbeth is intrigued by the witches' prophecy-that he will be crowned king-might be true, but he is uncertain what to expect. He visits with King Duncan, and they plan to dine together at Macbeth's castle that night. Macbeth writes ahead to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her all that has happened.
             Lady Macbeth suffers none of her husband's uncertainty. She desires the kingship for him and wants him to murder Duncan in order to obtain it. When Macbeth arrives she overrides all of her husband's objections and persuades him to kill the king that very night. He and Lady Macbeth plan to get Duncan's two chamberlains drunk so they will past out; the next morning they will blame the murder on the chamberlains, who will be defenseless, as they will remember nothing. While Duncan is asleep, Macbeth stabs him. When Duncan's death is discovered the next morning, Macbeth kills the chamberlains and easily assumes the kingship. Duncan's sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, fearing that whoever killed their father desires to kill them too. After some time Prince Malcolm, Duncan's son, has succeeded in raising an army in England, to challenge Macbeth's forces. The invasion has the support of the Scottish nobles, who are shocked by Macbeth's murderous behavior. Lady Macbeth, meanwhile, becomes plagued with fits of sleepwalking in which she believes to be bloodstains on her hands. Before Macbeth's opponents arrive, Macbeth receives news that she has killed herself, causing him to sink into a deep and pessimistic journey. Lady Macbeth's is a deeply ambitious woman who wishes power and position. Early in the play she...