1. Guilt and Obsession: Lady Macbeth's repetitive gesture of rubbing or washing her hands may represent her desperate attempt to cleanse herself from the psychological stain of her crimes. The constant hand movement suggests her obsession with removing the guilt that haunts her.
2. Self-Destruction: The act of rubbing or washing her hands can also be seen as a form of self-flagellation or self-harm. Lady Macbeth may be punishing herself for her wrongdoings, driven by the weight of her guilt.
3. Delusions and Hallucinations: The hand movements might symbolize Lady Macbeth's deteriorating mental state. She may be hallucinating or experiencing delusions, seeing blood or imaginary stains that cannot be removed, causing her to compulsively wash her hands.
4. Loss of Control: Lady Macbeth's frantic hand gestures could indicate her loss of control over her thoughts, emotions, and actions. She is no longer the strong, ambitious woman she once was, as her grip on reality slips away.
5. Madness: The repetitive handwashing motions can be interpreted as a sign of madness or insanity taking over Lady Macbeth's mind. As her guilt consumes her, she descends into madness, unable to escape the torment she feels.
6. Irony: Lady Macbeth's handwashing also holds a sense of irony. In the earlier part of the play, she urges her husband to wash the blood from his hands after the murder of Duncan. Now, she finds herself trapped in a similar situation, unable to wash away the guilt that plagues her.
Overall, Lady Macbeth's hand movements in Act 5, Scene 1 highlight the depth of her mental anguish and guilt. They serve as a powerful symbol of her deteriorating state of mind as she struggles with the consequences of her actions.