So far in this play, Lady Macbeth has been at her husband's side at all times. She helps to guide him and to push him forward when he is struggling. Whenever Macbeth falters, his wife is always there to keep him in check. For example, after Macbeth kills Duncan, he feels remorse. Lady Macbeth tells him not to let these thoughts get to his head too much or he will become weak. Also, in Act III, Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost sitting at the table with everyone. The ghost, however, appears invisible to everyone else. People start to think that Macbeth is crazy, but Lady Macbeth comes to his side and makes some excuses for him. Later on she tells him to snap out of it and questions his manhood.
Lady Macbeth's role in this play is not similar to any other wife/husband relationships that I have encountered in previous works of literature. Usually, the wife is portrayed as subservient to the husband and not allowed to question his authority. The husband is usually shown as the "breadwinner", while the wife remains in the shadows and takes care of the children. Something such as questioning the husband's manhood would be unheard of in other works of literature. This stereotypical envisionment is the complete opposite for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship. They both are equal and both rely on each other for assistance. Lady Macbeth can say whatever is on her mind to Macbeth without any consequences.
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