Lady Macbeth's Decline

“A little water clears us of this deed. How easy it is, then!” (2.2.86-87)

This line of Lady Macbeth is taken from the scene when Macbeth decides not to proceed with his plan of murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth, who covets for more power and the throne, says this line to Macbeth in order to persuade him to ensue with their plan. Lady Macbeth thinks that washing themselves covered in blood with water will conceal their crimes and sins. Water did conceal their crimes from seeing by others, but they could not disguise their sins from themselves.

“What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” (5.1.45)

Lady Macbeth says this line unconsciously, in her sleep. The audience really can sense her troubled nature due to her sin as Lady Macbeth delivers this line. She is scared and fearful of the truth of what she had done. Perhaps, her fear is what keeps her away from darkness and sleep as she orders her maid to keep the candle lights on. Also, in the latter line, both the audience or readers and Lady Macbeth, herself, know that her hands will never be clean again as long as Duncan wakes up from his death.