In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth is introduced and then immediately is shown wondering whether her husband has the will to seize the crown.

How does Shakespeare’s decision to depict Lady Macbeth in this way affect the play?

It forces other characters to recognize the danger posed by Lady Macbeth and foreshadows the mistrust that Duncan will display toward her when he arrives.

It quickly and firmly establishes Lady Macbeth as a figure of great ambition and foreshadows her role in convincing her husband to assassinate Duncan.

It creates a conflict between her and her husband and foreshadows the tension that ultimately prevents either one from benefiting from their shared ambition.

It suggests that Lady Macbeth will follow the lead of her husband and foreshadows the internal conflict that she will face once Duncan has been murdered.