An analysis of Act V scene i in Macbeth, focusing on the result of Lady Macbeth's ambition turned to madness.

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Lady Macbeth slowly drives herself towards insanity and a guilt-ridden conscience. Initially, Lady Macbeth is a ruthless, power-hungry agitator, manipulating her husband to murder innocent threats to their ascent to the Scottish throne. Afterward, however, her resolve dissipates as the toll of murders and the increased suspicion by the onlookers weighs on her conscience. By the end of the play, the repercussions of Lady Macbeth's unrestrained ambition results in her overwhelming guilt …

…that goals unchecked by morals corrupt and lead to destruction, as evidenced by Lady Macbeth's mental breakdown. Although Lady Macbeth initiates the devastation by mercilessly goading her ambitious husband to murder powerful figures, her and her husband receive internal ruin in return, starting with guilt and fear and ending with death. This theme signifies Shakespeare's circle of order. Even though evil is started and creates chaos, it is punished internally and finally externally, by death.