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What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's handwashing?

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It signifies that through her manipulation of Macbeth, she is equally responsible for the murder of the king. She is attempting to wash the blood of guilt from her hands, a common image in literature. Typically a desperate act not to atone but to conceal one's guilt in the hope of getting away with the crime. read more

Personally, I believe the washing of hands reflects Lady Macbeth’s fear of being exposed for the crime of conspiracy to commit murder. I don’t believe she is ever genuinely sorry for taking a life. All she is afraid of is that she and her husband will be brought down to the level of prisoners and the accompanying judgement of the community. read more

The repeated hand washing by Lady Macbeth [b. c. 1015] meant that she felt her guilt and was trying to wash her evil deeds away. In Act 2 Scene 2 of the Shakespearean play, she told her husband that just a little bit of water cleansed them both of the murders of King Duncan I [d. read more

Lady Macbeth said don't dwell on the killing of Duncan because it will drive you mad. She ends up going mad because of it. read more

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Quotes about Macbeth in act 2 (17 quotes)
Source: quotemaster.org

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