In act 5, Lady Macbeth’s sanity is completely lost. This is evident in the first scene of Macbeth where her insanity is foregrounded. The gentlewoman serving Lady Macbeth feels both sympathy and bitterness towards the immoral path Lady Macbeth and Macbeth chose for success. In act 5, scene 1 of Macbeth, it becomes clear that Lady Macbeth has lost her mind as she sleepwalks and obsesses over the feeling of blood on her hands.
At the beginning of the scene, the doctor and the maid have conversations revealing her complicated problem. As the scene progresses, it becomes apparent that she frequently sleepwalks. Additionally, she has lost her senses and behaves like a maniac, constantly rubbing her hands as if there is blood on them. She is under a psychological illusion that King Duncan’s blood is stuck to her hands. Her inner guilt and constant fear lead to her insanity. She is the closest observer and confidante of Macbeth, who is a brutal tyrant and commits monstrous crimes.
She has provoked him and is aware of the terrible actions Macbeth has committed by now. She also understands that what has been done cannot be reversed. Currently, there is an indication that she views her environment as a sinister and dark place, which may explain why she constantly seeks light. Her sudden remarks, such as “who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him” or “All the perfumes of Arabia couldn’t make my little hand smell better,” are not merely nonsensical ramblings. Instead, they reflect her belief that the bloodstains cannot be removed and her incessant attempts to cleanse them symbolize her ongoing mental anguish and guilt.
