Lady Macbeth, in Shakespeare's
Macbeth, echoes an idea also stated by her husband. They have
power, but they do not safely have power.
Lady Macbeth
expresses discontent with her situation. She has fulfilled her desire (Macbeth is
king), but the fulfillment has brought no contentment. She's figuratively spent
herself, but achieved nothing for her efforts. Any joy she feels is
contaminated.
Lady Macbeth would rather be that which they
destroyed (Duncan) than to live with the uneasy power they've achieved. At least Duncan
has peace.
In short, Macbeth has shut her out of the
decision-making process and shunned her since the assassination. He continues to foul
up their cover up by doing things like ordering the killings of Banquo and Fleance.
Macbeth has become a tyrant and people are beginning to suspect him/them of treachery.
She has power (or at least Macbeth does, since he's replaced her as adviser with the
witches), but that power is not solidified. She has no peace, which the dead Duncan
does.
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