1. Persuading Macbeth to Murder: Lady Macbeth plays a pivotal role in convincing Macbeth to commit the murder of King Duncan. She uses her cunning and persuasive abilities to manipulate Macbeth's emotions and desires, gradually eroding his moral reservations. She employs flattery, guilt-tripping, and emotional blackmail to push him towards the act, demonstrating her manipulative nature.
2. Feigning Innocence: After the murder of King Duncan, Lady Macbeth displays a seemingly innocent and composed demeanor in front of the other guests. She manages to deflect suspicion and acts as if nothing unusual has occurred. This pretense can be seen as a form of sneakiness, as she hides her true involvement and guilt from those around her.
3. Manipulating Appearances: Lady Macbeth takes charge of the aftermath of the murder and meticulously plans to cover their tracks. She instructs Macbeth to wash the blood off his hands and places the daggers back on the sleeping chamberlains. These actions require a certain level of sneakiness and cunning to ensure that their crime remains undiscovered.
4. Concealing Her Emotions: Lady Macbeth is able to maintain a composed and regal façade, despite the guilt and turmoil she experiences after the murder. She suppresses her true feelings and presents a false front to the world, which could be seen as a form of sneakiness or deceit.
5. Taking Advantage of Macbeth's Vulnerabilities: Lady Macbeth exploits Macbeth's weaknesses and insecurities to control and influence his decisions. She preys on his ambition and desire for power, using her knowledge of his vulnerabilities to manipulate him into doing her bidding. This strategic manipulation could be considered sneaky behavior.
While "sneaky" may not be the primary adjective used to describe Lady Macbeth, her character certainly exhibits elements of cunning, manipulation, and deceitfulness that align with the concept of sneakiness. Her role in influencing Macbeth's actions and concealing her true emotions contributes to the complexity and intrigue surrounding her character in the play.