How Many Children Did Lady Macbeth Have?

Francis Bacon once said, "As sorrow makes beauty in the mind, so the mind makes beauty in the face." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's most complex characters. However, a frequently debated question surrounds this tragic figure: did Lady Macbeth have children?

The Historical Context

While the historical Macbeth, the King of Scots, is reported to have had three sons and an older stepson, the fictional Macbeth portrayed by Shakespeare does not appear to have any children. This raises intriguing questions about the identity of Lady Macbeth's offspring in the play.

The Play’s Indicators

Lady Macbeth’s Nursing Speech

Lady Macbeth's famous soliloquy, delivered in Act 1, Scene 7, provides a clue: “I have given suck and know how tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from its boneless gums and dashed its brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this… What need your hand be bloody, for 'tis I, as well as you, have paid the guilt already.”

Her reference to having "given suck" (nursed) indicates that she has a deep maternal instinct. However, this does not necessarily mean that she gave birth to these children. It is possible that she was a wet nurse, a practice common among the upper classes where a wet nurse would breastfeed someone else’s child.

Accessibility to Wet Nurse Practice

According to the Wikipedia article on "wet nurse," breastfeeding was not considered fashionable among the upper classes and wet nurses were relatively inexpensive to hire. Given Lady Macbeth's noble status, it is unlikely that she would have held a position as a wet nurse. Nevertheless, it is a possibility and may indicate a troubled financial situation, if any, in her life.

Secondary Sources and Speculation

My research into this question led me to L.C. Knight’s 1933 essay titled “How Many Children Had Lady Macbeth?” Sadly, despite the title, the essay fails to directly answer the question. Similar to the historical Macbeth, Shakespeare's portrayal of the character is a blend of truth and fiction.

Historically, the Lady Macbeth from Malcolm X’s era (circa 1000 AD) reportedly gave birth to a son, Lulach, from her first marriage to Gille Coemgain. While Shakespeare might not have been aware of this specific detail, it is an interesting point of reference for our discussion.

The play itself offers subtle hints. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth states, "Bring forth men-children only." In Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff echoes, "He has no children." This dialogue suggests that Lady Macbeth has at least breastfed and that the Macbeths did not have any children of their own.

The Significance of the Question

Whether Lady Macbeth had children and what impact that might have on an oversympathetic modern interpretation of her character is a matter of great debate. Garrett's view that 'whether the Macbeths had children and what impact that may to an oversympathetic modern eye on Lady Macbeth is irrelevant and distorts the meaning of the play' holds considerable merit.

The primary focus of Macbeth lies in the internal struggle between ambition and morality, which Lady Macbeth epitomizes. Her actions, regardless of her personal history, highlight the themes of ambition, guilt, and redemption.

Conclusion

The historical and fictional accounts of Lady Macbeth and her role in Macbeth provide endless fodder for debate and speculation. Whether or not she had children adds a layer of complexity to her character and highlights the enduring intrigue of Shakespeare's work.