Lady Macbeth is often called the "fourth witch" because of her profound and manipulative influence over Macbeth, which parallels the supernatural encouragement provided by the three Weird Sisters. She acts as a powerful catalyst, driving him towards heinous acts that might otherwise have remained uncommitted.
The Role of the "Fourth Witch"
The designation of Lady Macbeth as the "fourth witch" stems from her pivotal role in transforming Macbeth's ambitious thoughts into brutal actions. While the witches ignite his ambition with prophecies, Lady Macbeth provides the relentless psychological pressure and cunning required to execute the dark deeds.
Here’s why she earns this chilling title:
- Manipulative Influence: Just as the witches use prophecies and riddles to subtly guide Macbeth towards his fate, Lady Macbeth employs emotional blackmail, taunts, and an almost supernatural resolve to bend Macbeth to her will. She challenges his masculinity and courage, effectively removing any moral qualms or hesitation he might have had about committing regicide.
- Driving Force Behind Crime: Her "valour of her tongue" is her primary weapon. She encourages and influences Macbeth directly, ensuring that the crime, particularly the murder of King Duncan, is carried out. Without her unwavering conviction and relentless prodding, Macbeth's ambition might have remained just that—an ambition—rather than escalating into the series of brutal murders that follow.
- Supernatural Invocation: Lady Macbeth herself calls upon dark spirits to "unsex" her and fill her with "direst cruelty," mirroring the witches' own connection to the supernatural and their malevolent intentions. This invocation aligns her directly with the forces of evil that the witches represent.
- Absence of Morality: Like the witches, Lady Macbeth appears to operate outside conventional morality, prioritizing power and ambition above all else. Her chilling determination and lack of remorse in the initial stages of their plot reflect a shared dark ethos.
Comparing Lady Macbeth's Influence to the Witches
The table below illustrates the parallels between the methods and impacts of the W three witches and Lady Macbeth:
| Aspect of Influence | The Three Witches | Lady Macbeth |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Prophecies, riddles, supernatural illusions | Emotional blackmail, taunts, psychological persuasion |
| Impact | Spark ambition, suggest possibilities, sow discord | Directly push for action, ensure commitment, remove hesitation |
| Goal | Unleash chaos, exploit human weakness, fulfill malevolent prophecies | Secure power, fulfill ambition immediately |
| Outcome | Macbeth's initial descent into evil | Macbeth's immediate commitment to regicide and subsequent crimes |
Lady Macbeth's active and aggressive persuasion transforms Macbeth from a wavering general into a ruthless murderer. Her influence is arguably more immediate and direct than that of the witches, making her an equally, if not more, dangerous force in the play. Her psychological power ensures that the "heinous crimes" Macbeth commits are not only contemplated but executed. For further reading on the complex characters in Macbeth, you can explore resources like the Royal Shakespeare Company's guide to the play.
