In Act II, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth and instructs him to return the daggers he has carried with him to the scene and wipe blood from them on the guards so that they will appear to be guilty of Duncan's murder. When Macbeth says he is afraid to see what he has done, she takes the bloody daggers and places them upon the guards, "saving the situation."
This callous act of...
In Act II, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth and instructs him to return the daggers he has carried with him to the scene and wipe blood from them on the guards so that they will appear to be guilty of Duncan's murder. When Macbeth says he is afraid to see what he has done, she takes the bloody daggers and places them upon the guards, "saving the situation."
This callous act of Lady Macbeth becomes ironic when viewed after her fearful remarks earlier in the scene as she wonders if the guards of Duncan and his sons have awakened. Then, too, her remark about Duncan--
Had he not resembled
My father as he slept, I had done't. (2.2.12-13)
--does not reflect the steely resolve of Lady Macbeth later in the scene as she scolds Macbeth when he expresses his fears of what he has done and his unwillingness to look at what he has done,
Infirm of purpose!
Give me the daggers.
Yet, while she saves this situation for them by taking the bloody daggers herself and placing them on the guards, Lady Macbeth exhibits a sang froid that still does not allay Macbeth's fear and guilt.
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